German Majors Win Fulbright Awards

Pictured (left to right): Robert Mevissen, Amy Heroux
Michael Risch-Janssen, Sam Lauer

The Austrian Fulbright Commission awarded four teaching positions to CSB/SJU German majors for 2009-2010. They are: Robert Mevissen ('09), Amy Herou ('09), Michael Risch-Jansen ('08), and Sam Lauer ('08).

Each year, CSB and SJU German majors and minors are selected for research projects and teaching positions in Austrian and German Gymnasien, or schools. Over the past 15 years some 50 CSB/SJU students have participated in these prestigious programs following their graduation. The Fulbright Program especially appreciates applicants who are interested in the study and use of German in their plans for the future, either in teaching or in other careers. For more information about how to apply before next year's October 15th (Germany) and February 1st (Austria) deadlines, see the Fulbright Webpage and Application Form.

Robert Mevissen graduated summa cum laude with a triple major in German, French, and History. His duties in Austria will be split between a position as English teaching assistant at a German gymnasium and taking classes at the University of Vienna to conduct further study on a research project. Robert also plays the violin and hopes to find a community orchestra to play with while in Austria.

Maren Gotchnik and Justin Bork receive DAAD Scholarships for Year of Study in Osnabrück and Berlin

In March Maren and Justin got word that their applications for the prestigious Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst scholarship had been successful. This September, Maren and Justin will depart for Germany for three weeks of intensive instruction in German to prepare for a five-month semester of courses followed in the spring by a five-month internship in a German company or research center. Justin has been placed in Berlin, Maren in Osnabruck (70 km south of Bremen). Recipients will be awarded a monthly stipend of approximately €650 to cover living expenses and €850 as a contribution to travel expenses. During the internship the company will pay a minimum of €500/month to help cover the monthly living expenses.

Maren and Justin, congratulations on this wonderful award! you richly deserve this recognition -- and we look forward to seeing you back in German classes when you return!
German Universities participating in this program are Osnabrück, Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, and Münster.





Dear CSB/SJU students: If you would like to apply for this program, please look over the details on this website: DAAD Year-Long Study and Internship Program

Fourteen Students Having a Blast in Salzburg!

Pictured are Tyler Kinsella and Grace Mevissen (narrative to follow)
Salzburg Study Abroad 2009

Twenty Saint John’s and Saint Ben's Students Spend July and August in Munich, Salzburg, Florence and Rome

First row: Michael Silhacek; Kayla Kragh; Mary Catherine Mohr; Angela M Rodgers; Amanda Martin; Kristine Omann;
Back row: Joshua Gunderson; Jade Johnson; Michael L Steck; Joseph J Allen; Matthew Elden; Travis Christensen; Megan Maus; Brian Jennissen; Jordan Urshan; Julie Magnuson; Kevin Neal; Mark Thamert. Photographer: Michael R Radtke

Dan Salay spends summer term in Ingolstadt

By Matt Beck

This past June, German/Political Science major Dan Salay traveled to Ingolstadt, Germany through the St. Cloud State German Service Learning Program. While he was there, he took a class on current issues in German culture, he volunteered at a senior center, and he lived with a host family. He also traveled to Munich, Dresden, many of the small towns in the area, and a monastery. Dan enjoyed spending time in the Virtualienmarkt, where he could relax and socialize with the residents of Ingolstadt.

St. Cloud State’s Ingolstadt Program offers the opportunity to combine service learning, language instruction, and a course in modern cultural into one study abroad program. The program lasts for approximately five weeks during the summer, and CSBSJU students can earn to upper-division German classes for participating. Possible service sites include senior centers, after-school programs, parks and recreation, and government offices. The service learning project and living with a host family provide the opportunity to deeply immerse yourself in German while learning about culture and helping others.

Diesen Juli ist Dan Salay, der Deutsch und Politikwissenschaft studiert, durch ein Programm der St. Cloud State nach Ingolstadt, Deutschland geflogen. Während er dort war, belegte er einen Kulturkurs, war Freiwilliger in einem Seniorenheim und wohnte bei einer Gastfamilie. Er reiste nach München, Dresden, in viele kleine Städte in der Nähe von Ingolstadt und ein Kloster. Am liebsten verbrachte er Zeit am Virtualienmarkt, wo er mit vielen Menschen aus Ingolstadt sprechen konnte.

St. Cloud State’s Ingolstadt Programm erlaubt, einen Freiwilligenjob zu finden, Deutsch zu studieren und einen Kulturkurs zu belegen. Das Programm dauert ungefähr fünf Wochen im Sommer, und StudentInnen von CSBSJU können zwei upper-division Kurse verdienen. Mögliche Stellen sind ein Seniorenheim, ein Kinderhort, Naherholungsgebiete und die Büros der Regierung. Die freiwillige Arbeit und die Gastfamilie helfen den Programmteilnehmern, Deutsch und die Kultur zu lernen.

Andreas Raab of Austria Enjoys First Impressions of CSB/SJU

Andreas Raab is a Fulbright Scholar and our new German Language Teaching Assistant -- He's the one with the Halloween face in the bottom picture!

I arrived here at CSB-SJU on the evening of Sunday, the 16th of August, and it has been a warm welcome ever since. I was picked up from the airport by Josh and Matt – two senior students – who soon managed to ease my uncertainties (the ones you most likely face in new situations). On the same evening I could move into my apartment and immediately felt at home. I have a great room and I have great roommates, so I managed to adjust quickly. On the next day Kyle, on of my roommates, provided valuable advice and walked me around the campus. I was impressed by the beauty of the campus, which stretches across a huge area of meadows, woods and lakes. It provides ideal surroundings to live, work and study and I got to know almost all ins and outs of it during the next days. There were a couple of things for me to organize – getting a campus ID and a student account, making my computer work in my room, getting on a meal plan, getting a course catalogue, etc. – but due to the helpfulness of all people I met around the campus this turned out to be easier than it seemed to be at first glance. In general I have to say that the friendly and supportive attitude of both students and faculty is truly amazing. Father Mark, my supervisor here at the German department, helped me with both words and deeds and guided me through my first days of working and studying here, which I really enjoy so far. So for now there is nothing more to say except that I am sure this is going to be a great experience and an amazing year for me here at CSB-SJU.

Meine ersten Eindrücke hier am/an der College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University
von Andreas Raab (Fulbright Stipendiat – Deutsch Sprachassistent)

Am Sonntagabend des 16. Augusts kam ich hier an der/dem CSB-SJU an und wurde sofort aufs herzlichste willkommen geheißen. Josh und Matt, zwei Studenten im Abschlussjahr, holten mich vom Flughafen ab und bald war meine Ungewissheit, was wohl die neue Situation mit sich bringen würde, wie verflogen. Am selben Abend noch konnte ich meine Wohnung beziehen und ich fühlte mich sofort wie zu Hause. Mein Zimmer ist toll, geauso wie meine fünf Mitbewohner, und so fiel es mir nicht schwer, mich hier einzuleben. Am nächsten Tag gab mir Kyle, einer meiner Mitbewohner, wertvolle Ratschläge und zeigte mir das Universitätsgelände. Der Campus beeindruckte mich gleich durch seine schöne Lage inmitten der herrlichen Natur – ideale Bedingungen also, um hier zu leben, zu arbeiten und zu studieren. In den nächsten Tagen lernte ich fast jeden Winkel der Universität kennen, galt es doch für mich einiges zu organisieren. Studentenausweis, Internetzugang, Essensplan, .etc. alles kein Problem dank der enormen Hilfsbereitschaft aller, die ich hier am Campusgelände traf. Ganz allgemein gesagt ist die Freundlichkeit und Unterstützung der Studenten und der gesamten Belegschaft schlicht großartig. Pater Mark, mein Supervisor hier am Germanistikinstitut, stand bzw. steht mir mit Rat und Tat zur Seite und half mir, mich an meinen ersten Arbeits- und Kurstagen zurecht zu finden. Bis jetzt gefällt es mir hierausgezeichnet und so gibt es im Moment nichts weiter zu sagen, als dass ich mir sicher bin, dass mir eine wertvolle Erfahrung und ein großartiges Jahr hier an der/dem CSB-SJU bevorstehen.

Minnesota Deutschfest Coming to Saint John's!

On May 14, 2010, about 2000 high school students and teachers of German will come to Saint John’s to enjoy a day of events, friendly competitions, and renewed connections with German enthusiasts from all over the state.

Here are some of the activities they will be participating in: commercials, Grimm for the 2010’s, skits, drama, recitation, solo songs, chorus, folk dancing, costumes, puppets, frameable art, photography as art, models and sculptures, German T-Shirts, maps, posters, media events, computer presentation.

We are excited to welcome our colleagues and friends from all over Minnesota!