Description

This is the list of messages related to German at the University of Michigan. You generally receive these messages on Tuesday via email, and you will see them posted on Canvas (German Advising Mail at University of Michigan). If you have any questions, please see the German Department advisors Kalli and Mary Rodena-Krasan.


Tuesday, February 24, 2026

German Advising Contact Information With Office Hours From Tuesday, February 24 - Wednesday, March 4

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)
Mary's office hours this week are:
TTuesday, February 24: 10-4:30 p.m.,
Thursday, February 26: 10-4:30 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, February 24: 9-12, 1-5 p.m.,
Wednesday, February 25: 1-5 p.m.,
Thursday, February 26: 9-12, 1-5 p.m.,
Friday, February 27: 9-11:30, 3-5 p.m.,
Monday, March 2: 1-5 p.m. (only via Zoom),
Tuesday, March 3: 9-12, 1-5 p.m. (only via Zoom),
Wednesday, March 4: 1-5 p.m. (only via Zoom),
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.

German Conversation Opportunities - 'Schokoladenstunde': Tuesday, February 24, 10-11 a.m., MLB 3110; and Kreativwerkstatt: Friday, March 13, 12-1 p.m.,MLB 3117

We have two weekly and informal conversation opportunities:

Schokoladenstunde convenes in the German Department Lounge (MLB 3110) every Tuesday, 10-11 a.m. There will be some German chocolate to snack on. Mary Gell will bring games (e.g. Tabu), and the hour will be spent playing games and chatting in German.

Kreativwerkstatt: Chat in German and express yourself creatively. Crafting, coloring, painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, crochet, embroidery, origami? At the weekly Kreativwerkstatt, which takes place every Friday, 12-1 p.m., you will combine speaking (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 any questions about Kreativwerkstatt please contact Laura Okkema.


Because of Spring Break, the next Kreativwerkstatt will take place on Friday, March 13.

Max Kade Events - 'Deutschtisch': Wednesday, February 25, 6-7 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall, and 'Kaffeestunde': Friday, March 13, 5-6 p.m., North Quad 2450

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

Kaffeestunde is a weekly opportunity to mingle and unwind. It is a place to connect with other Max Kade residents, chat informally in German, and participate in activities prepared by facilitators. German students at all levels are welcome at the Max Kade events. If you have any questions, please ask Viola Tietje or Vera Irwin.

Because of Spring Break, the next Kaffeestunde will take place on Friday, March 13.

German Club - 'Stammtisch': Wednesday, February 25, 6-7 p.m., Mason Hall 3314

The German Club will hold its next Stammtisch on Wednesday, February 25, 6-7 p.m. Mason Hall 3314.

You will have the opportunity to speak German with other students from the University of Michigan.

Stammtisch takes place every two weeks this term.

If you have any questions please address them to Kyle (kirschk@umich.edu).

'Triumph of the Heart': Thursday, February 26, 7 p.m., Michigan Theater

In the harrowing confines of Auschwitz's starvation cell, Catholic priest St. Maximilian Kolbe volunteers to die in place of another prisoner, joining nine others condemned by the Nazis. As despair and fear grip the group, the pressures of starvation, internal ideological division, mount. But throughout, Kolbe's appeal to their shared humanity and Polish identity forges a brotherhood that culminates in a poignant act of sacrifice that echoes beyond the cell, illuminating hope in one of history's darkest moments.

Website: https://marquee-arts.org/event-page/?showingId=990642&eventId=990640


Martin Schmeding (Organ) - Guest Recital: Thursday, February 26, 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium

As Professor for Organ and Artistic Director of the European Organ Academy at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, Martin Schmeding holds one of the most prestigious posts in the organists' world. In addition, he is Guest Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Music Birmingham and since 2024 Professor of Organ at the Royal College of Music London.

As a student, Schmeding won many prizes in major international competitions. For his numerous CD recordings, among them the complete works of Max Reger, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Johannes Brahms, he was awarded the European music prize ECHO Classic as “Soloist of the Year” (2010) and the Prize of the German Record Critics 2009, 2017 and 2020. In 2017 he was named “Professor of the Year” out of 2500 nominated German university teachers.

Born in 1975 in Minden, Westphalia, Schmeding studied in Hanover, Amsterdam and Dusseldorf. Through his teachers Ulrich Bremsteller, Lajos Rovatkay, Dr. Hans van Nieuwkoop, Jacques van Oortmerssen and Jean Boyer he is part of the important German organ tradition of Karl Straube, Guenther Ramin and Helmut Walcha, as well as of the French tradition and the Dutch historical organ movement.

Between 1999 and 2004, Schmeding filled two of the most important posts for church musicians in Germany. In 1999, he was appointed Music Director at the Neander Church in Dusseldorf. As titular organist at the Kreuzkirche in Dresden, a place with a more than 700-year-old tradition of church music, Schmeding worked from 2002 until 2004. After teaching in Hannover, Leipzig, Weimar, and Dresden, he worked as organ professor at the University of Music in Freiburg from 2004-2015 as the successor of Prof. Zsigmond Szathmáry, where he was also the chair of the church-music and organ department.

Schmeding is an active recitalist in important venues and in international festivals, a jury member for international competitions (Bach-Wettbewerb Leipzig, Bach competition Boston, Pachelbel Competition Nuremberg, Silbermann Competition Freiberg, International Organ Competition St Albans) and publisher of articles and music editions to complete his musical profile.

In 2021 he finished his PhD in musicology with a dissertation on Wolfgang Rihm’s early and organ works (summa cum laude).

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/145774

LSA Newnan Academic Peer Leader for Summer Orientation 2026: Friday, February 27, 5 p.m. (Application Deadline)

The LSA Newnan Academic Advising Center will hire approximately 34 LSA students to be Newnan Academic Peer Leaders (APLs) for First-Year Student Orientation in Summer 2026.

The application will ask for:
* Personal and academic information
* Resume (via .pdf)
* Names and contact information for 2 references
* Written responses to 4 questions:
- Why do you want to be an LSA Academic Peer Leader (APL) for summer orientation? Please describe the skills and experiences you have that would make you an effective APL.
- Please describe a difficult or challenging experience you've had at U-M. Explain how you dealt with this experience and what you learned from it.
- How would you explain your degree requirements and describe your curriculum to someone who is unfamiliar with LSA? Please use specific examples from your personal experience, such as classes you've taken.
- Diversity is expressed in many ways, including forms such as ability, gender, national origin, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Please reflect on how your social identities have shaped your experiences during your time at the University of Michigan.

If you have any questions, please contact Rob Gordon (rwgordon@umich.edu).

Website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeF3g5VbrUNZsAek7Lj4U3Mu2wzPwk0iAyk6MQCwVDSDWRRDQ/viewform

Job Posting - Temporary Receptionist for Goethe-Institut New York: Friday, February 27 (Application Deadline)

The Goethe-Institut New York is looking for a temporary, part-time (12 hours/week) receptionist to cover the following time frames:
* April 20-May 15, 2026 (4 weeks)
* June 1-June 26, 2026 (4 weeks)

The ideal candidate is available to work 3 hours/day Monday-Thursday or 6 hours/day Tuesdays and Thursdays. If the need arises, there is also the possibility of additional hours (to be arranged in advance on a case by case basis). Candidates may apply for either one or both available time frames.

Responsibilities:
* Welcome visitors and partners at the reception
* Answer general questions about language courses, exams, events and services of the Goethe-Institut in person and on the phone
* Assist library patrons with issuing library cards and answering general questions about our library services
* Assist with the organization of events in coordination with all departments of the Institute
* Organize office and manage calendars
* Prepare mailings
* Help prepare meetings and visits
* Organize kitchen supplies
* Research for projects
* Possible event support

Requirements:
* Excellent written and spoken language skills in both German and English
* Strong organizational and communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Flexibility, dependability, self-motivation
* Extensive knowledge of MS Office software
* Authorization to work in the United States
* Willingness to work occasional night and weekend shifts

Benefits:

* Salary: $25/hour (paid bi-weekly)
* Online German language class

The Goethe-Institut is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and guarantees gender equality. We especially encourage people from diverse backgrounds (LGBTQI, PoC) to apply.

The Goethe-Institut will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

How to Apply
* Applications will be accepted until February 27.
* Interviews will be held the week of March 9.

Please email your written application (ideally as a single PDF of max 10 MB) to jobs-newyork@goethe.de with the following documents: motivation letter, resume and 2-3 references. Kindly also indicate your availability.

Due to the high volume of responses, no confirmations will be sent.

Website: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/ueb/kar/nyr.html

International Internships with Sage Corps: Sunday, March 1 (Application Deadline)

Sage Corps sends college students to work with startups. Work full-time alongside CEOs, CMOs, and CTOs to build real solutions to real problems. They provide opportunities for specializations including, but not limited to, business strategy, data analytics, graphic design, marketing, software development, and UI/UX design.

Career fields will vary by internship site. Please follow this link for a list of internship career fields by location.

Michigan students may apply to any of the following locations:
* Amsterdam
* Barcelona
* Berlin
* Lisbon
* Madrid
* Paris
* Sydney

Website: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=12286

Summer Grants for Research and Internships in Europe & Eurasia: Sunday, March 1 (Application Deadline)

The Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia (WCEE) is pleased to make available grants for in-person summer research projects or internships for current undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Funding is intended to support research and internship opportunities in countries within Europe and Eurasia. This application includes allocated funding for projects in specific countries or regions, but all countries in Europe and Eurasia are eligible.

If travel restrictions prevent travel to a country in Europe/Eurasia, alternative projects will be considered. For questions, contact WCEE.

Awards up to $5,000.

Eligibility Criteria:

* Open to University of Michigan Ann Arbor undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional school students, regardless of citizenship, enrolled in a full-time degree program.
* Eligible students must return to campus for at least one term prior to graduation.
* Applicants for research grants may be at preliminary or more advanced stages of their research, and the research project must be at least one month in length.
* Applicants for internships should be prepared to identify the venue for their internship in a governmental agency, business, or non-governmental institution in the region, and the internship must constitute at least a 30-hour-per-week time commitment for a minimum of six weeks.
* All travel must follow current guidelines, which are detailed in the LSA International Travel Guidelines.

Application Requirements:
* Statement of purpose (1-3 pages) including proposed time period, institutional affiliation, your reasons for pursuing the project, and how this experience will contribute to your career goals
* Project Budget
* One letter of recommendation
* Curriculum Vitae or résumé
* University of Michigan transcript
* Letter of invitation: If you are doing an internship or working with an established research project, a letter of invitation is required. Note: Undergraduate applicants for internships do not need to have a letter of invitation to apply for funding, but rather may upload a list of the internships to which you are applying.

Reporting: A written project report and a thank you letter to the donor will be required at the conclusion of the grant.

Selection Process: A selection committee comprised of faculty affiliated with the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia will evaluate the applications on the following criteria: feasibility, relevance to degree program, relevance to career goals, record of academic achievement, and overall quality of the application. Applicants should not assume they will receive an award, and should not purchase airline tickets before the awards are announced if they cannot cover the cost from other sources.

Contact: wcee.funding@umich.edu

Website: https://ii.umich.edu/wcee/students/funding/summer-grants.html

Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarship: Thursday, March 5 (Application Deadline)

The Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarship Program provides 40 additional scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students per year who are recipients of Federal Pell Grants to study and/or intern for academic credit in Germany through the Gilman Program. This deadline is for in-person programs or internships that begin between May 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027.

International Internship Scholarship: Saturday, March 7 (Application Deadline)

A great internship can help make lasting connections and propel your post-graduation job search. Along with earning your LSA degree, you will have gained valuable skills and experience that may put you ahead of other job candidates.

Thanks to generous donations from University of Michigan alumni and supporters, LSA Internship Scholarships can help make these life-changing opportunities a reality for students, regardless of background or financial resources. All internship scholarships are donor-funded and based on financial need. If you're planning to spend your LSA internship abroad read on for more information and how to apply.

The LSA International Internship Scholarship will be awarded in partnership with the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) International Internship Programs.

Internships not sourced through one of the CGIS International Internship programs, including those posted on LSA Engage, are not eligible for this funding opportunity. This includes the DAAD RISE or privately arranged internships.

If you are participating in a CGIS Study Abroad program that includes an internship component, please visit the LSA Study Abroad Scholarship page to apply.

If your internship is based in the United States, please view the LSA Internship Scholarship (U.S.-based) page for more information.

An LSA Scholarship supports LSA students who participate in a Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) International Internship program. All of the internship scholarships are donor funded and based on financial need. Scholarship funds can help cover the cost of attendance and travel based on program budgets.

LSA International Internship Scholarship awards vary in amount depending on the cost of a student's internship experience, and a student's demonstrated level of financial need.

Award amounts average $6,000. Loan offers are not guaranteed to be replaced with a scholarship. LSA Scholarships cannot award funds beyond what a student's aid package allows. We work closely with CGIS staff and the Study Abroad team at the Office of Financial Aid to determine program costs and factor any other financial aid.


Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/scholarships/current-students/scholarships21.html

German Film Series - 'Woyzeck': Monday, March 9, 6 p.m., North Quad 2435

Based on the drama fragment by Georg Büchner, this film adaptation follows Franz Woyzeck (Klaus Kinski), an aimless, low-ranking soldier attempting to find his footing while stationed in mid-nineteenth century provincial Germany.

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/german/news-events/all-events.detail.html/143360-21892950.html

Canon Translation Journal: Monday, March 9 (Submission Deadline)

Canon Translation Journal is an undergraduate student-led journal under the University of Michigan's Comparative Literature Department. It is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to publish pieces and a welcoming platform for readers who wish to engage more with works from different parts of the world. The editors welcome all types of submissions, from your favorite non-English scifi to your grandparents' secret recipe! Canon Translation Journal aims to explore the deep and nuanced nature of the field of translation, and you can be part of it! Visit this website for more information and submit today!

Karajan-Akademie of the Berlin Philharmoniker: Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m., Rackham Auditorium

The Karajan-Akademie of the Berliner Philharmoniker offers some of the world’s most gifted young musicians the opportunity to perfect their skills while studying, rehearsing, and regularly performing with the orchestra. Founded in 1972 by conductor Herbert von Karajan, the Akademie serves as the training ground for the next generation of musicians in the Berliner Philharmoniker and other orchestras around the world.

This concert, part of a weeklong residency that will include campus engagement and learning activities, will feature Akademie scholars alongside two Karajan-Akademie mentors who are principal members of the Berliner Philharmoniker in an evening of mixed chamber music repertoire.

Program update (November 2025): Christophe Hórak, principal second violin of the Berliner Philharmoniker, will be taking the place of Noah Bendix-Balgley, who is unable to participate due to family circumstances.

Program:
- Ludwig van Beethoven Septet in E-Flat Major for Winds and Strings, Op. 20*
- Dmitri Shostakovich Prelude and Scherzo for String Octet, Op. 11
- Julia Wolfe Big Reeling** (new arrangement commissioned by U-M SMTD)
- Béla Bartók Divertimento for String Orchestra, Sz. 113**

* features the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Christophe Hórak (principal second violin) and Wenzel Fuchs (principal clarinet)

** features additional student musicians from the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Website: https://ums.org/performance/berliner-philharmoniker-karajan-akademie/

Transcultural Studies - Accelerated Master's Degree Program: Sunday, March 15 (Application Deadline)

Do you anticipate pursuing a PhD or a career involving international travel, cross-cultural partnerships, or collaborative work in a diverse workplace?

The University of Michigan's accelerated MA program in Transcultural Studies can help you develop the historical, theoretical, and practical knowledge you need to navigate forward-looking graduate education and career pathways in an increasingly cosmopolitan and interconnected world. Transcultural Studies uses approaches from across the Humanities and Social Sciences to foster a critical and historically informed understanding of human communication and interaction across perceived boundaries of culture, nationality, race, and religious identity.

This interdisciplinary program is intended to provide both advanced training and a capstone experience for current LSA undergraduates who anticipate pursuing a PhD or working in business or non-profit contexts where intercultural competency and a critical framework for thinking systematically about connections, comparisons, and translations among human communities will be desirable skills.

Why Apply?
* Earn a University of Michigan Master’s Degree on top of your BA with just one additional year of study following your senior year
* Begin taking graduate courses as a senior from any of the eleven participating departments to fulfill program requirements
* Complete a thesis or other significant capstone project of your own design based on your major, your research interests, and your future career plans
* Incorporate internships and other experiential learning opportunities into a UM graduate degree program
* Be eligible for Rackham research grants and conference travel funding

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/transcultural

German Department Scholarships for Academic Year in Freiburg 2026-2027: Wednesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

All students accepted for study in the Academic Year in Freiburg program will receive up to $1,000 from the Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures (GLL) to be applied towards the program fee (non-refundable scholarship).

Additional scholarships through the Hubbs Scholarship fund up to $5,000 may be available, based on financial need and/or merit. One participating student will receive a Sturm Immersive Scholarship for the program fee, lodging expenses, and flat stipend to cover additional living expenses (a value of over $25,000). By completing one application, you'll be eligible for all available scholarships.

Here is the funding application link.

German Department Scholarships for Spring/Summer Language Courses at a Goethe Institut in Germany: Wednesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

If you are taking spring/summer classes at a Goethe Institut in Germany, you can apply for a scholarship from the German Department. Scholarships amount up to $2,400 per session.

The application deadline for funding through the German Department is Wednesday, April 1. Here is the funding application link.

You will be informed later in April, how much funding you will get through the German Department; and you will then need to complete several items (uploading passport photo, GeoBlue health insurance, etc.) on MCompass.

All applications will only be reviewed after April 1, and the funding itself will be disbursed in either Spring or Summer.

German Department Scholarships for Summer Internships in German-Speaking Countries: Wednesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

Awards for internships in Germany and German-speaking countries are distributed on a competitive level based on financial need, academic merit and (possible) compensation of the internship. You do not need to have a confirmed internship placement at the time of application but need to be accepted into an internship program. International students are eligible to apply. Departmental internships may amount up to $3,500.

The application deadline for funding through us is Wednesday, April 1. Here is the funding application link.

You will be informed later in April how much funding you will get through the German Department; and you will then have two weeks to complete all items (uploading passport photo, GeoBlue health insurance, etc.) on MCompass.

All applications will only be reviewed after April 1, and the funding itself will be disbursed in either Spring or Summer.

DAAD-RISE students are not eligible to receive funding through this scholarship.

German Department Scholarships for German Language School at Middlebury College (Summer 2026): Wednesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

University of Michigan undergraduates who enroll in the 7-week German Language School at Middlebury College will receive up to a $4,000 scholarship. The Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures' Executive Committee will determine the award recipients. Award amounts are based on the student's GPA, answers to essay questions (one essay answer must be written in the German language), and financial need.

Here is the funding application link.

Heinz Prechter Scholarship for Internships in Germany: Wednesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

The $2,500 Heinz Prechter Scholarship aims to support a Michigan student completing an internship in Germany to encourage learning about German business and culture.

College and university professors conducting study projects directed at introducing a group of students to Germany, its culture, language, business environment and network, are also encouraged to apply.

Sponsored by the German American Business Council of Michigan (GABC), the Scholarship is named after Heinz Prechter to honor the unparalleled contributions he made to the advancement of international relations between Germany and Michigan.

Application Requirements:
* Letter of Application: description of the applicant’s qualifications including academic background, relevant employment history, and a statement indicating why the applicant wants to in Germany
* Resume: include academic background, employment history, special interests, accomplishments and awards, and international travel
* Offer-of-Internship Letter: written in German or English, on the company’s letterhead and signed by an appropriate company official
* Letters of Recommendation: letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members who teach in the applicant’s fields of study.
* Course Transcripts: comprehensive academic transcripts of all semesters completed at institutions of higher education

Notes for Applicants:

* Applicants must complete a video/phone interview with the scholarship committee. Part of the interview will be conducted in German to assess the applicant’s basic conversational skills in the language.
* Scholarship recipients must agree to submit to the GABC a written report of their internships and (if schedule permits) to give an oral presentation on the internship at a GABC event.
* Submit completed application and supporting documentation by Wednesday, April 1.

Contact Anna Swartz at info@gabcmi.org for further details.

The committee will make rolling decisions. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, once they have received an actual internship offer.

Website: https://gabcmi.org/hps

'Schriftlich' - German Undergraduate Publication: Thursday, April 16 (Submission Deadline)

'Schriftlich' is a student-run bilingual journal exploring the interdisciplinary nature of the German language, culture, and influence through collections of student work on German-related topics. Journal submissions are open to all, not just German majors/minors, and can be submitted in German or English.

If you are interested in submitting a piece of writing, please do so here. The deadline is Thursday, April 16.

'Schriftlich' welcomes submissions on a rolling basis. If interested, apply now.

If you have any questions, please contact Daphne (dwelter@umich.edu).