German Advising Contact Information With Office Hours From Tuesday, November 19 - Tuesday, November 26

You can reach the German advisors through a general email: germanadvising@umich.edu

We have two advisors for German undergraduates:

* Mary Rodena-Krasan (MLB 3128; mkrasan@umich.edu)

Her office hours this week are:

Tuesday, November 19: 2-4:30 p.m.,

Thursday, November 21: 2-4:30 p.m.,

Friday, November 22: 10-1:30 p.m.,

Tuesday, November 26: 2-4:30 p.m.,

and by appointment

Mary's Link for Office Hours: https://umich.zoom.us/j/92765512004

* Karl-Georg Federhofer (MLB 3422; kallimz@umich.edu)
My office hours this week are:

Tuesday, November 19: 8-12:30, 1-2:30 p.m.,

Wednesday, November 20: 1-5 p.m.,

Thursday, November 21: 8-10, 1-5, 8-10 p.m. (Zoom),

Friday, November 22: 8-11:30, 1-3, 4-5 p.m.,
Monday, November 25: 1-2, 3-5, 8-10 p.m. (Zoom),

Tuesday, November 26: 8-12:30, 1-5 p.m.,

and by appointment

My Zoom Link for Office Hours: https://umich.zoom.us/j/909147087

It is best to schedule appointments, which you have to do by 4 p.m. on the previous day. You can schedule appointments with us here: https://myadvising.lsa.umich.edu/appointments/offices/GERM

If you would like to get in contact with a peer mentor in our Department, please write to: germanmentors@umich.edu

Andrea Emily Stumpf, "My Ancestor: An Arabian Princess from Zanzibar": Tuesday, November 19, 11-12 p.m., Remote

Sayyida Salme, born a princess of Oman and Zanzibar, had a remarkable life in a remarkable time. Her father was the sultan, and her mother was a Circassian concubine. Perhaps best known for her memoirs, as the first Arab woman to publish a book, she offered a fascinating view of 19th-century Oman and Zanzibar, harem life, colonial powers, international trade, East African slavery, and more. She originally wrote in German after falling in love with a German merchant, fleeing Zanzibar, becoming a Christian, starting a family with her husband in Hamburg, and then staying in Germany to raise her children even after he tragically died. Her later manuscript, Letters to the Homeland, describes her difficult early years in Germany. Both accounts offer perspectives and insights about East and West—Orient and Occident—cultures that still resonate today. Andrea Emily Stumpf, her great-great-granddaughter, recently published new translations of both writings, partly to rescue her voice from outdated and inaccurate translations. This year marks the centennial of Sayyida Salme’s death, giving us an added reason to consider her complex life and appreciate her efforts to share her unique and authentic perspective.

Andrea Emily Stumpf is an award-winning author and a lawyer who specializes in structuring international partnerships. She is also the great-great-granddaughter of Sayyida Salme, also known as Emily Ruete, an Omani princess who grew up on the island of Zanzibar and was the first Arab woman to publish a book. With new English translations of her ancestor’s writings, Stumpf is excited to make Sayyida Salme’s inspiring story—from Zanzibar to Germany—and her remarkable insights on East and West more widely available today.
http://www.sayyidasalme.com
http://www.structuredpartnerships.com

Register and attend over Zoom: https://myumi.ch/kZQpr

German Conversation Opportunities: "Schokoladenstunde" (Tuesday, November 19, 2 p.m., MLB 3110), and "German Convo on the Go" (Wednesday, November 20, 10-11 a.m., Burton Tower), and "Kreativwerkstatt" (Wednesday, November 20, 3-4 p.m., MLB 3308)

We have three weekly and informal conversation opportunities for all students who want to speak German:

"Schokoladenstunde" convenes on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in the German Department Lounge (MLB 3110.) There will be some German chocolate to snack on. Silvia Grzeskowiak (sgrzesko@umich.edu) will bring games, and the hour will be spent chatting and playing games in German (e.g. Tabu.)

"German Convo on the Go" meets on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. sharp at Burton Tower for a 1-hour walk and talk with Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu). This event happens 'rain or shine.'

"Kreativwerkstatt:" Chat in German and express yourself creatively. Crafting, coloring, painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, crochet, embroidery, origami? At the weekly German “Kreativwerkstatt,” which takes place on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., you will combine speaking German (any level welcome, beginners included!!) and creatively expressing yourself. You are encouraged to bring your own materials or (ongoing) projects, but we will also provide some materials and prompts each week. If you have questions about "Kreativwerkstatt" please contact Laura Okkema (lokkema@umich.edu) or Iris Zapf-Garcia (iriszaga@umich.edu.)

'Conclave' - Director: Edward Berger, 2024: Tuesday, November 19; 4:15 p.m., 7 p.m.; Wednesday, November 20; 3:45 p.m., 7 p.m.; Thursday, November 21; 4:15 p.m.; State Theatre

'Conclave' follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church. From director Edward Berger ('All Quiet on the Western Front', Winner of the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2023).

Edward Berger is a Swiss-Austrian filmmaker who attended the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig from 1990 to 1991 and then transferred to the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he finished his studies in directing in 1994.

Website: https://marquee-arts.org/event-page/?showingId=901890&eventId=900218

German Club - "Stammtisch": Tuesday, November 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Michigan League Underground

The German Club will have its next "Stammtisch" on Tuesday, November 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m.! This event will be held in the basement of the Michigan League. 

If you have any questions, please send them to Braidy (braidya@umich.edu).

Max Kade Events - "Deutschtisch" (Wednesday, November 20, 6-7 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall) and "Kaffeestunde" (Friday, November 22, 5-6 p.m., North Quad 2450 - Edward Said Lounge)

"Deutschtisch" is a weekly event in the North Quad Dining Hall for Max Kade residents and visitors from outside of Max Kade Haus to speak German during a meal. Visitors should look for a table with German/Swiss/Austrian flags and a bunch of students speaking German.

Max Kade "Kaffeestunde" is a weekly opportunity to mingle and unwind "auf Deutsch". It is a place to connect with other Max Kade residents, chat informally in German and participate in activities prepared by facilitators. The "Kaffeestunde" is open to the wider German-speaking community at the University of Michigan.

German students at all levels (101 and up) are welcome at all Max Kade events.

If you have any questions, please ask Viola Tietja (vtietje@umich.edu).

'Burden of Dreams' (Director: Les Blank, 1982): Friday, November 22, 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 23, 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 24, 4:30 p.m.; Detroit Film Theatre

Werner Herzog was already a legend by 1982 when 'Fitzcarraldo', his magnum opus, was finally released. The film tells the story of a visionary adventurer, played by Klaus Kinski, who is obsessed with bringing an opera house to the Amazon for a performance by Caruso. The film was shot on location over four years, including a dramatic scene where a 320-ton steamship is actually hauled over a mountain—one of many production challenges that drove Herzog to the brink of insanity.

'Burden of Dreams' is Les Blank’s classic behind-the-scenes documentary about Herzog’s monumental effort to complete 'Fitzcarraldo.' As a portrait of unrelenting artistic obsession, this documentary's impact may surpass that of the film it chronicles. Newly restored in 4K resolution, Burden of Dreams returns to the big screen in the way it truly deserves.

Website: https://dia.org/events/burden-dreams

Berliner Philharmoniker: Saturday, November 23, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 24, 4 p.m., Hill Auditorium

The Berliner Philharmoniker returns to Hill Auditorium the weekend before Thanksgiving for two concerts. In the first of two concerts, violinist and recent Avery Fisher Prize awardee Hilary Hahn makes her first Ann Arbor appearance in two decades, performing Korngold’s heart-tugging violin concerto. Also on the program: Rachmaninoff’s first orchestral masterpiece, Isle of the Dead, and Dvořák’s dramatic Symphony No. 7, which the London journal Athenaeum declared at its 1885 premiere “not only entirely worthy of his reputation, but one of the greatest works of its class produced in the present generation.”

Program (Saturday):
* Sergei Rachmaninoff Isle of the Dead, Op. 29
* Erich Korngold Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
* Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 7 in d minor, Op. 70

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/121959

Listening to conductor Kirill Petrenko’s interpretation of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5 with the Berliner Philharmoniker promises to be a truly special experience. As The New York Times said of their first American tour together, which was also presented by UMS at Hill Auditorium in 2022, “Even at the very top of the [orchestral] field, playing this spectacular — this virtuosic, colorful, confident, unified, and committed — is vanishingly rare.”

For this limited tour, the orchestra performs Bruckner’s monumental Symphony No. 5, which explores themes of struggle, redemption, and spiritual transcendence, with rich brass chorales in the final movement. Composed in 1876, just a few years before UMS’s very first concert, the work has never been performed on a UMS program — nor did the composer himself ever hear it performed.

Program (Sunday):
* Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/121961

DAAD - RISE Germany 2025: Saturday, November 30 (Application Deadline)

RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions. RISE Germany is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

* Students are matched with a host university or institute according to their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field)
* DAAD provides students a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living expenses
* Host universities, universities of applied sciences (UAS) and institutes provide housing assistance and match students with Ph.D. student mentors or researchers (only UAS)
* German language is not required and the working language will be in English

Website: https://www.daad.de/rise/en/rise-germany/
Application Website: https://www.daad.de/rise/en/rise-germany/find-an-internship/application-portal/

Academic Year in Freiburg 2025-2026: Sunday, December 1 (Early Application Deadline)

The best way to get to know Germany really well is to live there for an extended time.

By studying in Freiburg for a year, you can practically earn all credits required for a German major and may possibly get distribution credits and credits towards a second major; and you will live in one of the most attractive and desired places in Germany. This program is open to all University of Michigan undergraduate students.

Eligibility:
* Minimum 3.0 GPA
* Good academic standing
* Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing by Fall 2025
* Completion of German 232 or equivalent prior to September 2025

Tuition for this year-long program is covered by a program fee (currently $7,700/term), and students receive University of Michigan in-residence credit for the courses they take during the Academic Year in Freiburg. Students will not pay University of Michigan tuition during the year abroad. Additional costs include travel, room, and board. The latter two are considerably cheaper than housing in Ann Arbor is. You will live in a single in a student dorm in Freiburg.

Students remain eligible for financial aid. In addition, the German Department will reduce the program fee for all applicants by up to $1,000 this year. Further funding opportunities are available from the department as well; to inquire, please contact germandept@umich.edu.

For more information, see the AYF website at https://www.ayf.uni-freiburg.de/

You can find out more on Instagram.

Here is the link to the application website from CGIS (Center for Global and Intercultural Study): https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=10247

German Film Series - 'Abschied von Gestern' (Yesterday Girl); Director: Alexander Kluge, 1966: Monday, December 2, 6:30 p.m., North Quad 2435

"Yesterday Girl" is about Anita G., a young girl, whose parents are picked up one morning during the time of the Third Reich. She comes from the East and now freezes her way through the West." (Edition Filmmuseum)

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/126687

Kerrytown District Kindlefest: Friday, December 6, 5-10 p.m., Kerrytown

KindleFest Market, or Christkindlmarkt as known in Germany, will feature artisans and vendors selling their holiday wares, plus traditional food and hot mulled wine, in a festive outdoor setting.

In Ann Arbor, Kerrytown District retail businesses and restaurants stay open late on this evening as they participate in the festivities. You can expect a variety of artisans selling their wares, food and crafts as well as local food trucks & vendors. Beer and Glühwein will be available for sale, too!

Website: https://kerrytowndistrict.org/kindlefest

Max Kade German Residence 2025-2026: Friday, December 6 (Application Deadline)

Max Kade Haus, the German Language Learning Residence located in North Quad, is accepting applications for the academic year 2025-26. To learn more about the program, requirements, and application process, visit:
https://lsa.umich.edu/german/undergraduate-students/max-kade-german-residence/how-to-apply.html

If you have any questions, feel free to email maxkade@umich.edu.

Händel's Messiah: Saturday, December 7, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 8, 2 p.m., Hill Auditorium

Händel composed his oratorio Messiah over the course of a single month in 1741, six months before its triumphant premiere at a new concert hall in Dublin. This timeless masterpiece has enraptured audiences for centuries with its sublime beauty and profound spirituality. From the jubilant “Hallelujah” chorus to its stirring arias and evocative chorales, Messiah is brought to life by friends and colleagues from the community through both the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the UMS Choral Union. UMSCU music director Scott Hanoian conducts this annual holiday tradition, which features a cast of stellar soloists all making their first UMS appearances. “A musical rite of the holiday season, the Baroque-era oratorio still awes listeners more than 250 years after the composer’s death.” (Smithsonian)

Website: https://ums.org/performance/handels-messiah-2024/

Global Course Connections - German 303.002/Judaic 318.003/History 328.002, "The Jewish Heart of Europe": Tuesday, December 10 (Application Deadline)

Cities such as Vienna, Prague, and Budapest were sites of explosive creativity in modern literature and the arts, political movements, and the new science of psychoanalysis in the 19th and 20th centuries. This course will explore the rich history of Jewish life in these cities of Central Europe through the work of writers including Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, Theodor Herzl and others, along with films and art. How was the position between East and West—and between tradition and future—linked to this creativity? Students will be graded on the basis of class discussions and several short essays.

Students in this class may apply to participate in a three-week trip to the cities of Prague and Vienna for two additional credits (German 304.001) through the Global Course Connections program. This study abroad opportunity is not required for participants in the winter term class, and will not entail additional Spring term tuition costs. Funding from German, Judaic, or History are available by application to support the program fee, flight to Europe, and other expenses.

Application deadline: Tuesday, December 10.

Visit mcompass.umich.edu for further details.

International Programs in Engineering - Undergraduate Research Program at RWTH Aachen: Tuesday, December 10 (Application Deadline)

RWTH Aachen is a top research institution in Aachen, Germany, and the largest technical university in the country. The summer undergraduate research program (UROP) pairs U-M students with RWTH researchers on projects in various topic areas like Biomedical Engineering, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics. Research is conducted in English. At the end of the program, students submit a report and present their research at the UROP Colloquium.

Students also take an intensive German course and participate in workshops on intercultural learning, scientific methods, and research practice in Germany. Students are greeted in Germany by their RWTH buddies who are friendly faces available to help during the first few days and throughout the program. The program is supplemented by numerous leisure activities and excursions with the buddies.

The credits for this program will count towards a German minor.

Summer 2025 Details:
* Program Dates: May 16 - July 26, 2025
* Program Cost: $1,940
* Housing Options: On Campus
* Application Deadline: December 10

Website: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=10993

Parents From German-Speaking Countries Sought for Linguistics Honors Thesis: Tuesday, December 31 (Survey Deadline)

One of our students is completing an honors thesis in Linguistics and requests your help--you see her email below:

I am looking for parents from German-speaking countries with children over the age of 18 to participate in an online questionnaire as part of a study taking place in The University of Michigan Linguistics Department.

I am studying German speakers’ impressions of how language is used across different conversational contexts.

You and your child must both be comfortable reading (conversational, not academic) German in order to participate. The survey is conducted through an online platform and is estimated to take 30-40 minutes to complete.

You will each be compensated with a $10 Amazon gift card for filling out the survey!

Funding is provided by the Linguistics Department at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

If you are interested in participating, send me a private message on Facebook or contact me via email @ jhark@umich.edu (and please pass this along to others who might be eligible and interested!)

Here is the link to my thesis questionnaire: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6A9g0DKafew2Rng

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2025: Wednesday, January 15 (Application Deadline)

ThinkSwiss is a scholarship program managed by the Science Office at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C. The program is funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ottawa, Canada. The aim of the program is to promote research opportunities in Switzerland for American and Canadian students and to foster exchange between Swiss, U.S., and Canadian universities and research institutions.

Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship you must:
* Currently be enrolled at an accredited U.S. or Canadian university/college,
* Be a graduate student or an undergraduate student who will have completed their sophomore year by the time the research stay in Switzerland begins, and
* Provide a written confirmation from a professor at a Swiss university that they will accept you for a research stay in their group.

In order to apply, please fill out the online contact form on https://thinkswiss.org/apply-now/ and upload all supporting documents in PDF format by January 15, 2025. 

Each application must contain:
* The completed application online form
* A research project outline (e.g. an overview of the tasks and milestones of your project that you agreed on with your host professor, max. 2 pages)
* A letter of motivation/explanation of why you should be awarded the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, why you would make an excellent “student ambassador” in the future, and why you choose Switzerland as your research destination (please keep this within 2 pages)
* A CV (no more than two pages)
* A copy of your current university transcripts and diplomas (if applicable)
* A letter of acceptance from the host professor and/or hosting institution in Switzerland (this letter should highlight the relevance of your research)
* A letter of recommendation from a current professor who can attest to the applicant’s abilities

The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship provides a prorated amount according to the length of your stay: a monthly scholarship of CHF 1,800 (approx. USD 1,800) for a period of two to three months (CHF 5,400 maximum). Please note that this amount covers only a portion of the average student’s living expenses and that you will be asked to prove sufficient financial means to the Swiss Cantonal authorities before a visa can be issued.

Website: https://thinkswiss.org/apply-now/

US Teaching Assistantship Program (for English) in Austria 2025-2026: Wednesday, January 15 (Application Deadline)

Description of Position:
As a US teaching assistant in Austria, you will work in one or two Austrian secondary schools, teaching 13 hours every week. Specific duties differ from school to school, but in general you can expect to:* Team-teach with English teachers working at your school(s)* Prepare engaging lesson plans focused on topics in collaboration with teachers* Facilitate one-on-one and group discussions* Help students prepare for upcoming English exams* Talk to your classes about US culture and current events* Plan activities to get your students actively speaking the language

Given that teaching assistants are placed at schools in Austrian communities large and small, each teaching assistant job in Austria is a truly unique experience. However, no matter where your assignment takes you, the ability to negotiate cultural differences and to solve day-to-day problems will be a significant asset—both in the classroom and in everyday life. Previous teaching experience is beneficial but not a requirement.

If you have at least an undergraduate degree (or are currently in your final year), have a working knowledge of German (“intermediate mid” or above based on ACTFL guidelines), and are interested in a career in education, Fulbright Austria encourages you to apply online to teach English in Austria.

As a teaching assistant in Austria, you will earn a monthly gross salary of around €1,944. Once deductions are made for your compulsory health and accident insurance and for Austrian income taxes, you end up with a net monthly salary of approximately €1,575 (about $1,730). Your monthly salary will be the only money you receive in connection with your English teaching job in Austria.

Website: https://www.fulbright.at/programs/in-austria/teaching-assistants/grant-details/us-teaching-assistant-program

International Programs in Engineering - Engineering Laboratory Experience at TUB in Berlin, Germany: Thursday, February 6 (Application Deadline)

This program at the Technische Universität Berlin TUB helps students gain insight into German culture, engineering and industry. The program combines intensive German language training with ENGR 350: International Laboratory Experience for Engineers. Participants will join a TUB research laboratory and work on a small project team led by German graduate students. Lab work is complemented by visits to relevant scientific and industrial sites near Berlin. Students earn academic credit for their engineering degrees and establish useful connections for future internships or employment. This program has also earned the seal of quality from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The credits for this program will count towards a German minor.

Summer 2025 Details:
* Program Dates: May 10 - June 21
* Program Cost: SU25 TBD (SU24 $5,260)
* Housing Options: Off-Campus Apartments
* Application Deadline: February 6

Website: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=10101