Dear all,
 
Backpacking for Winter courses has begun! Here is the list of German dept. classes offered in Winter 2023.  Our Peer Mentors will be available this Friday, November 11, 1-5 p.m. (German Department Conference Room – MLB 3rd floor middle hallway, to answer questions about their experience about how easy it is to pair German with other fields of study. You can also contact them through this Zoom link, and the mentors suggest that you fill out a form beforehand. Please note that even if you already know your plans for German language classes, the list also includes a wide variety of interesting courses in English. If you have questions please contact our advisors, Mary and Kalli. We also strongly encourage you to contact one of the German Peer Mentors, who are undergraduates and who have taken/are taking our German courses. See the “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German” section below for contact info.
 
The International Programs in Engineering (IPE) has opened two summer options for Engineering students: the Undergraduate Research Program at RWTH Aachen and the Engineering Laboratory Experience at TUB Berlin. The priority application deadline for both programs is Tuesday, December 6.
 
Please remember that there is also the option to pursue DAAD RISE summer internships in Germany (application deadline: Thursday, December 15) or a summer internship at the German-American Institute in Tübingen (application deadline: Sunday, January 22.)
 
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 9, 5 p.m., students who pursued internships in Germany last summer, will give brief presentations about their experience abroad.
 
The official application deadline for living in the Max-Kade German House (2023/2024) is Wednesday, November 30.
 
As mentioned previously, one of our former students, who is now working for the Detroit Pistons, has organized a German Heritage Night on Thursday, December 1. You can attend this networking event, which takes place prior to a Pistons game, but you have to register by Tuesday, November 15. The entire package (networking event, basketball ticket, t-shirt) costs $22. Here is a pdf with more information about the German Heritage Night (including a registration link).
 
Reminders from prior emails:

Two regular conversation hours, “Schokoladenstunde” (Mondays 4-5 in the Language Resource Center) and “German Convo on the Go” (Tuesdays 6-7) will take place in person weekly. “Schokoladenstunde” will take place Mondays 4-5 p.m. in the Language Resource Center; the group will play games, chat, and enjoy some German chocolate. “German Convo on the Go” will meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. sharp at Burton Tower for a 1-hour walk and talk with Mary Gell. This event happens ‘rain (or snow) or shine.’ All students at all levels are welcome to come to both events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.

All students are welcome at the weekly Max Kade Events:Deutschtisch (Wednesdays at 6 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall) andKaffeestunde (Mondays at 4 p.m., North Quad West Lounge – 3rd Floor)

The “German Lab” is a virtual office hour taking place Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm. You can ask shorter and longer questions, come for conversation practice, help with homework etc. Here is more info about the German Lab – please take advantage of this great resource! Please sign up in advance on the German Lab Signup: instructors will check the signup at the beginning of their German Lab hour, and will leave the lab for that hour if no one has signed up.

In addition, the German Peer Mentors would like to offer additional help, either as a conversation partner or help with grammar, to our beginning language learners. Catharina, who is a native speaker, has reserved Alcove B in the Language Resource Center (in North Quad), Thursdays 4-5pm, every week. Please take advantage of this great opportunity!

The Berliner Philharmoniker will be performing at Hill Auditorium on Friday and Saturday, November 18 & 19, 2022. This link takes you to tickets for their Saturday program, when they will play Mahler’s 7th Symphony [vielen Dank, Iris, for sending this!!]. At the top of the page, there is a link to purchase student tickets. This takes you to a page where you can buy student tickets to all UMS events. There’s an incredible variety of great performances to choose from!

Advisor office hours and contact info: You can reach the German advisors through a general email: germanadvising@umich.edu. We have two advisors. They are available for advising hours throughout the semester:
A link to their current office hours will always be included in the full text of these weekly emails, which you can find online:  scroll down to the section “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German.” You can schedule appointments with Mary and Kalli here.

Other highlights from this week’s email, and what section to check for more details:

  • Conversation Opportunities – Conversation Hours, German Lab
  • Study Abroad, Internships, Scholarship Deadlines – Study Abroad/Internships/Scholarship Info
  • Advising Info – German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German
  • Conversation Partner Options – Miscellaneous
  • International Center Global Engagement and Education Abroad email list – Miscellaneous
  • Finding German Films and Series Online – Miscellaneous
  • Chrome Extension for Dual-Language Subtitles – Miscellaneous
Virtual Germany Grad Fair 2022 (Tuesday, November 8; 12-2 p.m., Virtual)
 
“Tár” – Director: Todd Field, 2022 (Tuesday, November 8, 4 p.m., 7:15 p.m.; Wednesday, November 9, 4:10 p.m., 7:15 p.m.; Thursday, November 10, 3:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 9:45 p.m.; State Theatre)
 
German Conversation Opportunities – German Convo on the Go (Tuesday, November 8, 6-7 p.m., Burton Tower) and Schokoladenstunde (Monday, November 14, 4-5 p.m., Language Resource Center, North Quad)
 
Internships in Germany (Summer 2022) – Student Presentations (Wednesday, November 9, 5 p.m., North Quad 1185)
 
Max Kade Events – Deutschtisch (Wednesday, November 9, 6 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall) and Kaffeestunde (Monday, November 14, 4 p.m., North Quad West Lounge – 3rd Floor)
 
German Club – “Stammtisch (Wednesday, November 9; 7 p.m., Michigan League Underground)
 
German Peer Mentors – Tutoring for Beginning Language Learners (Thursday, November 10; 4-5 p.m., Language Resource Center, Alcove B, North Quad)
 
German Peer Mentors – Mentoring Session (Friday, November 11; 1-5 p.m., MLB 3308 – Conference Room, Middle Aisle)
 
Schriftlich – Raffle (Friday, November 11; Submission Deadline)
 
Mary Sue & Kenneth Coleman Global Experience Scholarship (Tuesday, November 15; Application Deadline)
 
Berliner Philharmoniker (Friday, November 18; 8 p.m., and Saturday, November 19; 8:30 p.m.; Hill Auditorium)
 
Max Kade House 2023/2024 (Wednesday, November 30; Application Deadline)
 
German Heritage Night – Detroit Pistons Game (Thursday, December 1; 4:30 p.m., Pistons Performance Center – RSVP by November 15; See flyer)
 
Academic Year in Freiburg 2023-2024 (Thursday, December 1; Early Application Deadline)
 
 
 

Two regular conversation hours, “Schokoladenstunde” (Mondays 4-5 in the Language Resource Center) and “German Convo on the Go” (Tuesdays 6-7) will take place in person weekly. “Schokoladenstunde” will take place Mondays 4-5 p.m. in the Language Resource Center; the group will play games, chat, and enjoy some German chocolate. “German Convo on the Go” will meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. sharp at Burton Tower for a 1-hour walk and talk with Mary Gell. This event happens ‘rain (or snow) or shine.’ All students at all levels are welcome to come to both events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.

In addition, all students are welcome to participate in the Max Kade German Residence’s weekly “Deutschtisch” (Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.) and “Kaffeestunde” (Mondays 4-5 p.m.) in North Quad. Both events allow you to practice your German in an informal manner. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending Max Kade events!
 
LRC Conversation Partner Site Check out this site to find a conversation partner, and/or register so others can find you on the site. Please notify the LRC if you notice problems (e.g. outdated records etc.). Don’t be shy: the more people sign up, the better the site will work!
 
The “German Lab” is a virtual office hour taking place Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm. You can ask shorter and longer questions, come for conversation practice, help with homework etc. Here is more info about the German Lab – please take advantage of this great resource! Please sign up in advance on the German Lab Signup: instructors will check the signup at the beginning of their German Lab hour, and will leave the lab for that hour if no one has signed up.
 
In addition, the German Peer Mentors would like to offer additional help, either as a conversation partner or help with grammar, to our beginning language learners. Catharina, who is a native speaker, has reserved a room in the Language Resource Center (in North Quad): Alcove B, Thursdays 4-5pm, every week beginning this week! Please take advantage of this great opportunity!
 
Ann Arbor Stammtisch
  • A German Stammtisch meets once a week, usually on Thursdays at 8:00 pm at Grizzly Peak or another bar near Main Street. Join the email list to stay up-to-date on where and when the group will meet.
  • There’s also a facebook page: look for “German Table / Stammtisch”
  • Alternatively, contact Mechthild Heerde-Olind at heerdeolind@yahoo.com for the current location and for more information.
  • This is NOT something you can do to make up an absence, but you can still go for fun and/or write about it for an AMD.
Check the “Upcoming Deadlines and Events” section to see upcoming German Club events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending any of these events!
 
The German Club works to connect students of all levels with a passion for German language and culture to opportunities for language practice, cultural events, and networking. You are encouraged to come to as many or few events as you would like!

Email germaneboard@umich.edu to get put on the email list, or “like” the club on Facebook at facebook.com/germanclubumich for updates!

Faculty Advisors Mary Rodena-Krasan & Kalli Federhofer

Contact our two faculty advisors, Mary or Kalli, for advice on study abroad, internships abroad, a German major/minor, upper-level German courses, career opportunities in German, study-abroad and work-abroad opportunities, etc.

German Peer Advisors/Mentors

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

  • Current classes and potential courses
  • Study abroad, internship, and traveling in Germany
  • Academic requirements (major/minor, LSA language requirement) and combination (engineering, pre-health, etc.)
  • Max Kade House
  • Departmental scholarships/fellowships
  • On- and off-campus German opportunities (German Club, German Day, etc.)
  • Career/job search
  • Getting involved – enhancing your undergraduate experience with the German Department

[This page will only include entries in this category when there is a job/internship etc. aimed at German students at all levels. To see more internship and job opportunities, scroll through Kalli’s blog, addressed to all upper-level German students]

There are two German Department facebook groups:

  • “German Advising at University of Michigan” [Read news here!]
    • Join this group to see much of the information you see in this email, as well as other relevant info, in the form of individual announcement posts.
  • “German Program at University of Michigan – Vorwärts Blau!” [Post things here!]
    • You are encouraged to join this group to in order to read and post interesting/fun items related to German language and culture. If you have trouble joining the group or posting something, please email Hartmut!

AND there is a German Department facebook page. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/umichGerman/

You can find weekly updates similar to this email but with lots more content on this blog.

We also encourage you to join us on our LinkedIn site: ‘University of Michigan German Department’

You can also follow us on Twitter: @umichGerman

Conversation Partner Options: Various options for finding conversation partners are listed on this page.

Sign up here for the International Center’s Global Engagement and Education Abroad email list. Weekly emails include info on workshops regarding travel and work abroad, conversation groups, cultural info sessions etc. SEHR interessant!

Finding German Films and Series

Chrome Extension for Dual-Language Subtitles

A German 101 student has found a Google Chrome extension that allows for subtitles in two languages, and has found this very helpful for watching e.g. “Dark” in German for his AMDs. I have not had time to try this, but if you find the dual language subtitles in the “Easy German” videos helpful, then this may be worth checking out. The extension is called Language Reactor.