Chris Bates (CSB/SJU 2005) -- Eight Years in Germany and Counting

   I moved to Germany in December 2005, my first duty station as an Army Officer. I spent the next seven years between Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden/Mainz. I joined local rugby teams, local gyms, and essentially lived off of everything Germany had to offer even though the Army provided those living essentials on base. I attribute my fluency entirely to my Fitnessstudio. Everyone in the gym was really willing to help me learn and taught me all the basics I needed.
   I made my best friends in the gym who invited me out with them which only deepened my integration into Germany. I actually live in Barcelona now. I ended my time with the Army about four months ago and am going to IESE Business school, part of university of Navara. When the program ends in 2014, I'm going to try and head straight back to theVaterland. I'm taking classes at the Goethe Institut now to improve my written German. I can speak it fluently, but because I didn't do much schreibing, my written German is lagging. I wish I'd learned the Artikeln. It's a pain in the butt to have to look up every single word just so I can see what the gender is when I write it.  Dear students studying German-- learn the genders now! You will be glad you did.   
     Alles Gute, Chris Bates

Daniel Kramer (SJU 1989) Named Fulbright Director at IIE in New York

Daniel Kramer and his wife Debra Prager

    CSB/SJU Alumnus Daniel Kramer has just been named the Director of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program at the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York City.
     As Director he will manage the operations of this program, including overseeing the annual competition and screening of applications by IIE-developed panels of academic specialists. Over 9,000 graduating seniors, graduate-level candidates, and young professionals (such as writers, creative and performing artists and journalists) apply to study, conduct research or serve as English Teaching Assistants abroad. Over 1,600 grants are awarded in over 140 countries world-wide.
    Dan graduated from Saint John's and Saint Ben's in 1989 and completed a Ph.D. in Germanic Languages and Literatures at Harvard University before taking teaching posts at Holy Cross College and Washington and Lee University. He has been recipient of Fulbright and other research awards. “20 years ago I was awarded a Fulbright grant to Germany, and have been involved with the program ever since, serving on the Fellowships Committee as well as the board of the local Fulbright Association chapter. So to direct this program two decades later is a real honor and privilege.” Since his Fulbright year abroad, Dan has also led many student groups to Germany, and regards it as his second home.

Congratulations, Dan, on this next chapter of your life!

The German Tradition of Gingerbread Houses Comes to CSB/SJU

Weihnachten 2012

With the help of Paula Doebel, a local Gingerbread connoisseur, around 20 students assembled and decorated Gingerbread houses to what some considered the perfection of a master. Students enjoyed the change from their studious atmosphere and brought out their creative sides to craft houses to their liking.   Building houses from the foundation up can prove difficult, but the students met the challenge with gusto and ultimately overwhelming success. With the roofs attached and sturdy, the artwork flowed from the icing bags. The end result showed a wide variety of houses, some with candy-shingled roofs, trees made of pretzels, snowed in porches, backyard swing sets, functioning chimneys, and cobblestone pathways.

Thank you Paula!

Brooke Kreitinger receives PhD from Georgetown University

After a DAAD Grant for a year of research in Germany at the University of Trier, Brooke went back to Georgetown where she completed her dissertation, "Practicing the Spatial Imagination of Accelerated Globalization in Contemporary German-language Novels," Brooke now plans to apply for positions at colleges/universities throughout the country, so that she can continue teaching at the college level and research topics related to German language, literature and culture. She also wants to lead a study abroad adventure with students to a German-speaking region of the world.

Note:  Brooke, we are very proud of you. A heartfelt congratulations from the CSB/SJU German Studies Program.



Fulbright TA Grantees 2003-2013

CSB/SJU Graduates who were awarded Fulbright Grants for Teaching and Scholarship in Germany and Austria 2002-2012.  We are proud of all of you!

2012-2013…Chris Pignato
2012-2013... John Jacobs
2009-2010… Matt Beck
2009-2010…Michael Risch-Jansen
2009-2010…Sam Lauer
2009-2010…Robert Mevissen
2009-2010…Amy Herou
2008-2009…Angela Sigl
2008-2009… Laura Wunsch -- 3 consecutive years
2007-2008…Ryan Fader
2007-2008…Erik Hendrickson
2007-2008…Mark Bublitz -- 2 consecutive years
2007-2008…David Lambert
2006-2007…Keith Spinali -- 2 consecutive years
2006-2007…Josh Wittrock
2006-2007... Lew Grobe
2006-2007…Bennett Frensko  -- 3 consecutive years
2005-2006…Chris Schumacher
2005-2006…Kim Skramstad
2005-2006…Sarah Miller
2005-2006…John Kamman
2004-2005... Brian Schnese
2004 -2005...Edward Kasner
2003-2004... Paul Krook
2003-2004... Andy Stern
2003-2004... Gabi Fosado
2003-2004... Paul Zimmel
2003-2004... Jeremy Chinquist
2003-2004... Gretchen Diercks
2002-2003... Chris Schumacher
2002-2003... Sarah Miller
2002-2003... Aaron Voth
2002-2003... Kim Skramstad
2002-2003... Stefan Theimer
2002-2003... Danielle Simpson
2002-2003... John Kamman

George Maurer (SJU '88) Performs German Song Cycle at International Theater Festival

George Maurer was a student at Saint John's in German 311 when he became acquainted with the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke.  With that experience, George began a life-long love affair with one of Europe's greatest poets.  In September 2012 George and The George Maurer Theater Ensemble performed Autumn Song which captured the emotions and accolades of the crowds.  The show featured twelve of Rilke's best loved poems as well as four poems from Tennessee Williams.  Maurer's show at the festival depicted poets Rilke and Williams in sung dialog with each other about life, poetry and love. Williams discovered Rilke when he was a student at Washington University.  To learn more about Autumn Song you can contact George Maurer through his website: http://www.georgemaurer.com/george/ .  We're proud of you, George!

CSB/SJU Launches First Exchange Partnership with Eichstätt University North of Munich

With the leadership of Nicole Clements and Peggy Retka of the CSB/SJU Office of Education Abroad, CSB/SJU has begun its first official exchange program with a German University.  Die Katholische Universität Eichstätt is located about 90 minutes north of Munich by train and features a beautiful campus with about 4000 students in the rolling hills of northern Bavaria.    
     Starting as soon as Fall 2013, two to four German students will come to CSB/SJU and the same number of our more advanced students will spend a semester or year in Eichstätt.  Eichstätt is also home of the Benedictine Monastery which founded The Monastery of Saint Benedict more than 150 years ago.   Thank you to Nicole and Peggy, as well as professors Lisa Ohm and Charles Bobertz who have all had a hand in making this exchange partnership come to fruition.   
     Students interested in this exchange program should apply in January 2013 for spring term in Eichstätt 2014.   It is financially a very affordable program. 

Dr. Lonnie Johnson, Executive Director, Fulbright (Austrian-American Educational) Commission Visits CSB/SJU

Lonnie Johnson (CSB/SJU German Studies graduate 1974) is the executive director of the Austrian-American Educational Commission (Fulbright Commission) in Vienna. During his visit to CSB/SJU in late November, Lonnie gave a talk to members of the Office of Education Abroad, the Center for Global Education, the Global Business Leadership Department and the German Studies Program. In his remarks, Lonnie analyzed the changing nature of study abroad and its ever-increasing importance for American students.   The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 to promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and people of other countries. Dr. Johnson’s research and publications focus on the history of Central Europe and Austria. Dr. Johnson has published books and articles on Austrian and central European history and politics including, Central Europe: Enemies, Neighbors, Friends; Vienna: The Past in the Present; and Introducing Austria. He received a B.A. from St. John’s University in Minnesota and a Ph.D. from the University of Vienna.

   Over the years, dozens of students from the German Studies Program at CSB/SJU have participated in the Austrian and German Fulbright Teaching Assistant Programs for one to three years after graduating from college. We deeply appreciate Lonnie's ongoing support of his undergraduate German Program. 

Saint Ben's and Saint John's Receive Award for Achievements in Internationalization

   The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University have received the 2012 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The award was announced March 6 by NAFSA.
    Named for the late senator from Illinois, the award recognizes outstanding and innovative achievements in campus internationalization. Simon was a strong supporter of international education and foreign language learning.
    Besides CSB/SJU, four other schools also received the award - Juniata College (Huntingdon, Pa.), Northern Arizona University, San Francisco State University and the University of Michigan.
    "We are being recognized for comprehensive internationalization," said Joe Rogers, director of the Center for Global Education at CSB and SJU. "This is another way of saying the degree to which we have built international ideas, perspectives and learning opportunities into all aspects of our campus community and into all phases of our students' four-year experience. This is reflected in the support we receive from institutional leadership, the committed and internationally minded faculty, our international education staff and our globally engaged student body."   More: http://www.csbsju.edu/paul-simon-award.htm   

    Our program in Salzburg, Austria, is the longest running of the study abroad programs at CSB/SJU. This year 22 students are spending their fall term at the University of Salzburg.

German Studies Faculty Scholarship Update

    Lisa Ohm has completed her monograph, Johanna Heusser Spyri’s Double Bildungsroman Heidi & Her Literary Oeuvre: The Swiss-German Writer’s Contributions to Late 19th-Century Literature and Thought. She gave two presentations on Spyri at the Midwest MLA in Cincinnati in November, and she will attend the 2013 MLA in Boston, thanks in part to a Faculty Development travel grant, to meet with acquisition editors of several publishing companies. She also received a Fellowship for spring 2014 to complete a scholarly introduction to and translation of Spyri’s Sina: A Story for Young Girls, first published in 1884 and never translated into English. This book contains one of the first discussions in European literature of women studying at the university level.

     Wendy Sterba has just submitted her manuscript, Photos of the Reel: What the Photograph in Contemporary Film Tells us about Art and Truth in the Age of New Media for publication.  Wendy will also attend the International Film Studies Conference Melancholia: Imaging the End of the World in Marburg, Germany, thanks to a Faculty Development travel grant. The title of her talk is “The Corporate and Corporeal: Min(d)ing the Body - Conscience and Consumption in Early 21st Century Hollywood Dystopia." She presented a paper in September at the Film and History Conference in Milwaukee entitled, "What Would Medusa Do? Psychology, Photography and Pegasus Envy in Films about 19th Century Monstrous Women." She has received a Fellowship for Fall of 2013 to pursue the topic of Aesthetic Issues Concerning Film in the Age of Electronic Media for her new book which explores film related aesthetic theories of Manfred Frank, Theodor Adorno, Walther Benjamin and the Frankfurt School.

    Andreas Kiryakakis is deeply involved in translating Der letzte Mönch von Tibhirine by Freddy Derwahl. This book recounts the same events as the award-winning film, Of Men and Gods.  Here is a description of the book from amazon.de: 

In der algerischen Wüste harrt eine kleine Schar von christlichen Mönchen im Kloster Tibhirine aus. Im durch Revolutionen aufgewühlten Nordafrika werden sie, im Spannungsfeld von Christentum und Islam, mehrfach von Rebellen bedroht. Nach intensiver Beratung beschließen die Mönche dennoch zu bleiben. Sie haben sich entschieden, für die Menschen da zu sein. Sie wollen ihre Krankenstation weiterhin öffnen, für Versöhnung eintreten und mit ihrem Leben dem christlichen Glauben Gestalt geben. Am 26. März 1996 kehren die Rebellen zurück. Sieben Mönche werden nachts entführt und später enthauptet. Die Umstände und Hintergründe der Morde sind bis heute ungeklärt. Dieses Buch erzählt das Leben von Frère Jean-Pierre Schumacher, den die Terroristen damals nicht entdecken. In seinen Erzählungen spiegelt sich, was damals wirklich geschah.

    Mark Thamert is working on a translation of Die Benediktsregel: Eine Anleitung zu christlichem Leben, a commentary on the Rule of Saint Benedict written by the Abbot Georg Holzherr of Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland. This translation will be published by Cistercian Publications in 2013 or 2014.  He is also working on a translation of Anselm Grün's Zeit der Erfüllung. Ein Begleiter für Advent und Weihnachten to be published by the Liturgical Press in 2013.  Anselm Grün is Abbot of Münsterschwarzach Abbey in Germany.  Mark will also give a presentation at the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages Conference in Orlando, November 2013, on "Recent Research on Best Practices for Teaching Writing in Foreign Languages -- and Computer-Assisted Feedback that Works."

Movie Night! Das Leben der Anderen -- Homemade Apfelstrudel!

Greeting Friends in GERMAN!!!!

Tonight the German Club is showing

Das Leben der Anderen
(The lives of others)

(with English subtitles) in the

Quad Little Theater (346).

tonight at 7pm.

AWARD –WINNING  SUSPENSE … LOVE STORY …  CIA TYPE PLOT.

Academy Award Winner

We have ordered

HOMEMADE Apple Strudel...
which will be delicious.

And if you come your teacher will give extra-credit

(and the semester end is right around (gahhhhhhh)

the corner so extra credit is kinda a big deal...).

I hope to see all of you tonight!!!!!!!

 Katie  German Club

Brian Williams (1988) Visits Gastfamilie in Salzburg

Dear Salzburgers!

   Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!! 

 

   Jane and I (and our three kids) traveled to Europe (Germany, Italy and Austria) in mid-October to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  I didn’t think we’d make it 20 years either.  Just kidding.  The weather was outstanding and the fall colors were spectacular.

   The best stop of the trip, of course, was Salzburg.  After hitting all of the sights (Hohensalzburg Castle, Getreidegasse, Augustiner, etc.), I drove the family out to Am Abstwald 10.

   I wanted them to see where “Dad” lived in Europe -- twenty-five years ago (really??).  After parking the car, we walked down to the Paeske house to snap a couple of photos.  The house was quiet.  Much to my amazement, the name on the gate still said Gerhard Paeske. 

   I wondered if the Paeske children now owned or took care of the home.  We began walking back to the car when my eldest son spotted a tiny, gray-haired woman coming from the backyard.  “Dad, I think that’s her,” he said.  I couldn’t believe my eyes. 

   “Frau Paeske?,” I called out.  “Ja?,” she answered with a truly puzzled look.  I nearly fell over. 

   “Ich heise Brian Williams.  “Ich war 1987 hier” (close enough, I figured).

   I’m not sure which of us was more shocked.  Of course, she immediately invited us all into her house (which hadn’t changed much at all).  Frau Paeske is now 94 years old.  She looks great (and could pass for someone at least ten years younger).  She is as sharp as ever.  She has lived alone in the house for seven years (since Herr Paeske passed away).  Sadly, she informed us that one of her daughters had also died of a brain tumor.

   We spoke (or I at least tried to) for the better part of an hour (my daughter recorded a fair chunk of it on video).  Many times throughout our short visit, Frau Paeske said, “I so happy.”  Her English is probably still better than my German.  Ha.  We had a wonderful time paging through her scrapbooks and recalling a few moments from our semester stay.

  I got a big laugh from her when I re-enacted Herr Paeske scolding us for plugging the toilet – “Zuviel papier!!!  Zuviel papier!!!”  Frau Paeske also laughed when she realized that I married the girl who called the house so much when we lived there.  “Brine, telephone.”  We almost have those phone bills paid off.  Ha.

   She took us upstairs to view the old bedrooms and the bathroom mirror made famous by Der Salzburger Butcher (Metzger, if you prefer).  After our visit, we stopped at a local grocery store (unfortunately, the ADEG is no more) and purchased some rolls and “burp” wurst for a quick lunch in our car.  We returned to the house a while later with a few small gifts, and Frau Paeske forced us to take some chocolates in return.

   Our time with Frau Paeske proved to be the highlight of the entire trip.  By the end of our visit, it had become clear that CSB/SJU’s Salzburg Program had affected her life as much as it impacted mine.  I will always cherish our time together in Salzburg in 1987.  Thanks for all the great memories!  We should find the time to meet for a cold Austrian lager real soon.   

Peace and Merry Christmas,

Brian Williams

16670 7th Street South

Lakeland, MN 55043

(651)600-2006

Chris Pignato Thriving in His Fulbright Teaching Position

Dear German Students, Faculty and Friends,

 

Since late September I have been in Europe experiencing all I can. I returned this year to teach English at an Austrian secondary school. I currently work 13 hours a week, and these hours are split between a HTL and a HAK. The HTL is directed more toward Interior and Structural Design. The HAK puts a focus on Business and Management. I always have Fridays free, and sometimes Thursday also.  I have covered many subjects with the students so far, including the recent elections, holidays, and schools in the US.  

I have enjoyed my first two months here. The town is small and quaint, and has the amenities that I need. Teaching here has allowed me to get an idea of whether I would like to continue my education to be able to teach. 

This is a great opportunity for German students, and also students who've studied education and English. 

Liebe Grüsse aus Imst (near Innsbruck), Österreich.

Chris Pignato  SJU '12

 

CSB/SJU Offers International Teaching Externship Germany

Summer: Mid-May to mid-June

Winter: Mid-January to mid-February

Program Description

The CSB/SJU Education International Teaching Externship (ITE) program is a 4-week international opportunity where students will have a chance to work as a teaching assistant and/or team teacher in one of several locations. The ITE program is a professional teaching experience that you participate in following your teaching internship (student teaching) experience in the US. It is an additional opportunity to put your teaching skills into use in an international environment as you work with an on-site cooperating teacher. Teaching internationally is a great way to set yourself apart from others for job applications. ITE will be a professional adventure you will never forget! View a PowerPoint Presentation on the ITE program. View a PowerPoint Presentation on the ITE program.
Please see Education Department Chair, Professor Janet Grochowski, for more information.

Program Cost
The estimated program cost is $3,800. Students will also be given a $500 stipend to help offset costs.

Estimated fees include:Round trip international airfare from Minneapolis to Dusseldorf, Germany

• International insurance and student card
• Domestic transportation and travel
• Essen lodging and meals (30 days and nights)
• Personal entertainment

Qualifications and Requirements

• Submit your ITE Application form the semester BEFORE your teaching internship (student teaching):
  Application Deadline for Summer 2013 is November 4, 2012
  Application Deadline for Winter 2014 is April 4, 2013
• Your application will be reviewed by the ITE Committee and you are notified.
• You will complete 16 weeks teaching internship in the US.
• Participate in all pre-departure and re-entry orientation activities.
• You will be automatically registered for EDUC 368 (1-2 credits) during your teaching internship (student teaching) semester, so no additional tuition charges.
• You must have a current passport at departure time
• Students must have an ability to pay all travel expenses and personal expenses including room and board, but participants will receive a $500 stipend to help offset the program costs.

ITE Committee

• Professor Janet Grochowski, PhD, Chair
• Allison Spenader, PhD
• Del Brobst, Director K-12, 5-12, 9-12 Teacher Candidates
• Melisa Dick, Director Elementary Teacher Candidates

Oktoberfest at Brother Willi's Pub

Fall Austria Group in Full Swing at Salzburg University

In the northern Alps of Austria, the city, or Stadt, of Salzburg sits nestled among rolling hills and jagged bergs. It’s an ancient place, anchored by a fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) built hundreds of years ago that now stands sentinel to one of the most beautiful urban areas in Europe. 

2012 Austria Study Abroad in the Black Forest -- 22 Students Strong!

The 2012 Austria Study Abroad group is currently experiencing the beauty of the mountains, meadows, and baroque architecture of Salzburg. Twenty-two students live in housing within the city and take classes offered at the University of Salzburg, taught by CSB/SJU-contracted instructors and professors. Courses range from German to Environmental Ethics, but may include informal classes in making turkey schnitzel and spaetzle or time out to hike the hills and mountains that are accessible in minutes. 



Picking grapes at Mehofer Vineyard, Neudegg, Austria.

Tom Kroll, Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum Director, is directing this year’s Study Abroad experience. In addition to teaching Environmental Ethics, Herr Kroll leads students on hikes atop local mountains, in search of biophilia symbolism, and on tours at sawmills to help participants grasp supply and demand issues related to renewable resources. Living in Salzburg allows students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the German language (Austrian dialect).

Students also have spent time in the country picking grapes at a winery, biking along the Danube, and experiencing the hospitality and magnificence of the Austrian Benedictine Abbey Stift Melk. Students also studied sustainability issues and toured the Furstenberg forests in the Black Forest of Germany. Next up? Vienna!




A scenic Break at Stift Melk 

Importantly, the Study Abroad experience affords students the chance to compare and contrast European practices and policies with those of the United States in terms of resource consumption and allocation. With a much denser population, Austria and Germany are challenged to provide a high standard of living while preserving their natural resources. Differences are notable. Public transportation options and personal transportation (bicycling, walking), for example, are much more prevalent in Salzburg than in St. Cloud. 

While differences are notable, similarities also are evident. People work, strive, and celebrate their lives in Austria. Humans in search of adventure is universal!

Note:  We congratulate the vibrant, adventurous students and leaders of the 2012 Austria group.  And we look forward to your return to share your excitement and stories with us at CSB/SJU!  Alles Gute und schönen Aufenthalt noch! 

Austin Eighan and Daniel Schmit Awarded German Studies Scholarships

Congratulations to Austin Eighan '14 and Daniel Schmit '14, recipients of the 2012-2013 Otmar Drekonja German Cultural Studies Scholarship! The scholarship is awarded every spring on the basis of a demonstrated commitment to German Studies, aspirations for using German in the future for teaching, graduate studies, or other professional activity in the field of German, and financial need. This scholarship is open to all German majors & minors enrolled at CSB/SJU who will be juniors or seniors in fall semester.  Congratuations Austin and Daniel.  We are proud of you!

Cooking Workshop -- KÄSESPÄTZLE!

Do you want to have as much fun as she's having?

Come to German Club's
 Käse Spätzle cooking workshop....Scroll down!
 What is spätzle you ask?  "Dumpling" isn't quite right,
though they do sometimes wind up in soups and stews.
 But in terms of how they're made and what they're made of,
they are more like fresh pasta than anything else. In fact,
you'll find various recipe sources that translate spätzle as
 "noodles" or "little dumplings."
So come and enjoy good company and good food!

When: Tuesday, October 9th at 5:00pm
Where: Flynntown community center

See you there :)

German Club



Scholarships for Summer Courses in Berlin -- browse the links!

DAAD New York is delighted to announce that we are offering University Summer Course Grants available to US and Canadian students for the summer of 2013.

These scholarships are available for a broad range of three- to four- week summer courses taught in German at various German universities, which focus mainly on literary, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany. Extensive advanced language learning as well as extracurricular programs complement and reinforce the core material. For a full list of courses please visit our university summer course search engine at http://www.fubis.org/en/fubis/index.html

We hope that you will encourage your students to apply. For eligibility requirements, terms of awards and application guidelines please visit our website at http://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/12359-scholarship-database/?detailid=5&fachrichtung=4&land=44&status=1&seite=1&daad=1&whitelabel=

If you or your students have further questions regarding this scholarship please do not hesitate to contact Uta Gaedeke at the DAAD New York Office @ email: Gaedeke@daad.org  or at: 212-758 3223 ext: 209.

With best regards,
Sebastian Fohrbeck
Director, DAAD New York

Uta Gaedeke
Senior Program Officer
DAAD New York
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212-758 3223 ext.: 209 * Fax:212-755 5780

Application Deadline for Germany Internship December 1.

German student Jessica Raboin writes the folowing about her experience: 

This is the program I did. CBYX  It is an EXCELLENT program that is FREE minus spending cash ($300/month I needed). If you ever want me to talk to a class about this opportunity, or a specific student, please let me know. I would love too. I had a life-curving experience that continues to shape what I am and who I want to be today--it was truly a transformative year. I not only began learning the German language and culture from the moment I stepped on the plane to my orientation in D.C., but along the way I learned about dozens of other cultures, languages and customs, which has improved my communication and critical thinking skills. Plus, I had the best host family ever! I have nothing bad to say about the program. Anyway, just letting you know. -- Jessica 

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a full-year work-study fellowship program with a strong focus on cultural exchange. CBYX annually provides 75 young Americans with an understanding of everyday life, education, and professional training in Germany.

The program begins in July and includes two months of intensive German language training (no prior German language knowledge required), four months of classroom instruction at a German university or college of applied sciences, and a five-month internship in each participant’s career field.

The CBYX for Young Professionals program is intended primarily for young adults in business, vocational, scientific, engineering, technical, and agricultural fields, though applicants from all fields are encouraged to apply.

Participants actively participate in securing their internship positions with assistance from our partner organization in Germany, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, and are expected to cover incidental expenses as well as represent the United States diplomatically while abroad.

Program Benefits

•Full-year scholarship including round-trip transatlantic flight, university tuition, language training, living stipend, and program-related travel costs in Germany

•Two-months German language training in Germany

•Four months of study at a German university or university of applied sciences

•Five-month internship in a German-speaking work environment

•Accommodation in a German home or student residence

•Orientation, midyear, and final evaluation seminars

•In-country support throughout the program

•Health and accident insurance

Eligibility

Candidates for CBYX must meet the following eligibility requirements:

•U.S. citizen or permanent resident

•18-24 years old at the beginning of the program

•Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent

•Completed general coursework in target internship field at a community college, college, or university

•Completed some relevant work experience (short-term, volunteer, or internship) in target internship field

•Previous knowledge of the German language is preferred, but is not required

•Ideal candidates have clear career goals, good communication skills, and exhibit flexibility and diplomacy

Applcation Deadline:  December 1, 2012 for the 2013–2014 program year.

For more information click here.

Movie Night! Das Wunder von Bern

    Movie Description: The title is in reference to the unexpected German victory over the Hungarians at the 1954 World Cup in Bern, Switzerland. The Lubanski family eagerly awaits husband and father Richard to be released from the Soviet POW camp. During his absence, son Matthias has developed an interest in soccer. He idolizes local player Helmut Rahn, but his father doesn't approve of it.

John Chambers Starts Student Teaching in Richfield MN

Kristine Bornus Spends Five Weeks in Trier

This summer I had the privilege to study in Trier, Germany for five weeks. The summer study program was through Georgetown University and classes were held at the University of Trier. During my five weeks in Germany I stayed with a host family, which initially I was nervous about, but my host parents were great. They made my roommate and me breakfast and coffee in the morning, and my host mother provided us with plenty of sweets. I quickly found out that when I was offered a piece of cake that it meant two pieces of cake would be served to me-Good thing I had to do a lot of walking!


One of the hardest things to get used to in Germany was not the language, rather it was having to use the public transportation system. I lived in Igel, a small town about 20 minutes away from Trier, which meant an hour long bus ride to the university every day. I had to quickly learn what bus line to take and which buses from that bus line were traveling to Igel-Stressful for a person who is used to being able to drive everywhere!

The classes were taught by Georgetown professors, and English was not allowed to be used. That meant not only no English speaking, but also that all of our homework and papers had to be completely in German. I was also under a language contract that stated I was not allowed to speak English to my study abroad group members. Not being able to use English was sometimes a challenge, but it helped to create a full immersion into the language and ultimately helped me to feel less “foreign” in Germany.

If I had to pick one thing to be the highlight of my time in Germany, it would be the public viewings of the soccer games. It was amazing to see how excited the Germans got for each game and how it created a sense of national pride. Throughout Trier, cars would be decorated with German flags, people would paint their faces, and wear Germany colors-They made as big of a deal out of each soccer game as we do for the Super Bowl. Each win resulted in dancing in the streets and a big celebration.

I would recommend this program to other students who are considering studying abroad. This program was a perfect fit for me because I didn’t want to study abroad for a whole semester and Trier is in the area of Germany that my family is from. My advice: If your school doesn’t have a study abroad program that you are interested in, look online and research programs at other Universities because you just might find a program that is a perfect fit for you. Study abroad because you won’t regret it if you do, but will definitely regret it if you don’t!

Kristine Bornus

MN Council on Teaching of Languages and Cultures Meets at SJU

Nearly 20 executive board members, regional representatives, and affiliate organization representatives of MCTLC met at Saint John's on July 25-26 for its annual planning retreat. Much progress was made in organizing the fall conference as well as regional activities for MCTLC members. 

German Major Chris Pignato to Teach in the Alpine Town of Imst in 2012-2013.

The Austrian-American Educational Commission in Vienna, in conjunction with the Austrian Fulbright Commission, has awarded Chris Pignato a teaching position in the town Imst, Austria, for the coming year.  Chris will be living just minutes from the university city of Innsbruck in the beautiful alpine mountains.  Chris is excited about this award and about teaching in Europe: "I am hoping to learn a lot about this part of Austria after having lived in Salzburg for fall term my junior year.  I will be teaching  in two different schools and will have time to explore Southern Germany, Switzerland and Italy as well.  It's a dream come true."  
             Congratulations Chris!  This is an honor well deserved.  We are proud of you.

CSB/SJU Hosts State High School Awards Banquet

  On Saturday April 28 forty of Minnesota's most accomplished high school students of German gathered with their teachers and families to be honored at the Saint John's/ Saint Ben's awards banquet.  More than 650 Minnesota students took the written exams.  Those placing in the 90th percentile also participated in oral interviews at the College of Saint Benedict on February 25.  Saint John's Preparatory was awarded a $2,025 scholarship from the Max Kade Foundation to be used for sumemr courses at Concordia Language Villages.  Kelsey Murphy of Moundsview Senior High was awarded national honors and a all-expenses paid trip to Germany.

Pictured L to R in the Great Hall: Kelsey Murphy (awarded a trip to Germany), Leyla Soykan, Jessica Trost (German teacher), and John Spear, Mounds View High School

Megan Boettcher to Work and Study in Germany Starting End of May

  I will depart for my Swiss adventure on Sunday, May 20 and will arrive in Zürich, Switzerland on Monday, May 21. That is when my immersion into the German-speaking culture will begin. Luckily, two of the families have young girls which may help ease me into mainly speaking German, since they are somewhat learning to speak as well and are used to repeating themselves. It will also greatly challenge me because they probably only speak German and that is the only way I will be able to communicate with them. Plus, one of the girls is 7 and can already speak in full sentences, which will propose a major challenge for me, but I am up for whatever I need to do in order to further learn the German language.
    As for continuing my schooling in Germany, I know that it will be a great challenge but I am willing to take it on and do my best to study in my second language. I hope to be admitted into an art school and explore subject matter that may be better accepted in the European culture. Even though I want to challenge myself and push my German-speaking boundaries, I realize that the language barrier may propose some problems and I am willing to take longer to complete my education than I originally would have in the United States, if necessary. I truly hope this ideal of going to college in Germany works out so I can broaden my horizons and spend the next years of my life abroad!

Sustainapolkability!

A maginificent event brought to you by the German Club and the Sustainability Club.

This is a must-go event!

See you there!

John Jacobs Awarded Fulbright Teaching Assistantship Near Linz, Austria

Dear CSB/SJU German Studies Students and Faculty,

Beginning in September I will be working in Kirchdorf an der Krems (Oberösterreich) about 45 minutes South of Linz. The town has just over one square mile large and has about 4,000 people. I have been assigned as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant at three schools:

Stammschule: Bundeshandelsakademie
2. Schule: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt für wirtschaftliche Berufe
3. Schule: Bundesrealgymnasium und Bundes-Oberstufenrealgymnasium

Here are a few pictures of the little town: http://www.wolpy.com/places/2774390

After studying German at Saint John's, I am completing my B.A. in International Relations and minors in German, Environmental Studies, and History at the University of San Diego. I am currently applying to Master's programs in Sustainable Development throughout Germany and anticipate grad studies following my year spent teaching in Austria.

We are proud of you, John!

Sarah Spaulding Awarded DAAD Grant to Tour Northern Germany

In June, Sarah Spaulding will travel through Germany on a ten-day trip that is sponsored by a DAAD grant and organized by University of Minnesota.  The first stop is Jena, where the 12 students will spend four days visiting Friedrich-Schiller-Universität and Bauhaus-Universität as well as Zeiss and Schott, manufacturers of lenses and glass.  After visiting Jena, the group will travel by train to Berlin where they will tour Germany’s federal legislative body, the Bundestag.  After three days in Berlin, the journey will end with a trip to Hamburg where the group will visit Schwerin’s Castle (the seat of the Landestag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) and meet with the secretary of the energy commission to learn about environmental initiatives in Hamburg. 

Congratulations, Sarah!

German Club Is all about Wienerschnitzel and Bretzn!