Young Ambassadors Profiles
Map material from the free geographic information system OpenStreetMap. The DAAD explicitly does not adopt the information provided there (names, boundaries, etc.) in every case. No guarantee is given for the accuracy of this information.
-
American University - Katrina Klopcic
copyright Katrina KlopcicServus! My name is Katrina Klopcic and I am a senior at American University double majoring in German Studies and Public Relations. I studied abroad in Munich through Wayne State’s Junior Year in Munich where I spent a year taking classes at the Ludwig-Maximillians-University of Munich and worked an internship with a local PR company. I have lived in Germany with my parents so I was familiar with many things but used this abroad experience to immerse myself into the language and culture.
While in Munich, I was extremely involved both in my community. I was a student ambassador for the Amerikahaus Ask an American program, visiting Gymnasiums and talking to students and sharing personal experiences – giving students the opportunity to ask questions about all aspects of American life.
I lived in Olydorf, the old Olympic village now turned into student housing. There, I joined the GRAS (Grünanlagen- und Umweltausschuss– Environmental Committee) which promoted eco-friendliness in the community through composting and upcycling as well as hosting social events throughout the semester.
My favorite part about being in Bavaria was joining a Trachtenverein, where I learned traditional dances and music, bringing me closer to the culture that is so unique to this region of the country.
My time in Germany has continued to open my eyes to different ways of life and new ideas. I have loved every minute of my study abroad and am excited to help others find a way to go to Germany that meets their academic and career goals!
-
Duke University - Josh Alms
copyright Josh AlmsJosh is a senior at Duke University studying statistics and computer science with a minor in German. He is professionally interested in applied statistics within the financial services sector and loves to travel in his free time. Josh studied in Berlin during the Fall 2024 semester at the Free University of Berlin via the Duke in Berlin program.
-
McGill University - Julia Rybkina
Hello! My name is Julia and I am a third-year medical student at McGill University, currently serving as the DAAD Youth Ambassador for McGill. I completed my Bachelor of Science in neuroscience at the University of Toronto, where I was awarded the DAAD RISE scholarship, allowing me to conduct research at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. During this time, I worked in the Visual Perception Lab, investigating vision and cognitive impairment affecting people with mental health disorders. This research experience exposed me to advanced techniques such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging analysis, deepening my interest in the physician-researcher career path.
Following my undergraduate studies, I pursued a Master of Science in cognitive rehabilitation, also at the University of Toronto. My research focused on brain atrophy and memory impairment in patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury. This experience further strengthened my commitment to bridging clinical care and research.
Currently enrolled in medical school at McGill University, I am pursuing my goal of becoming a physician-researcher. As a DAAD Youth Ambassador, I actively promote study abroad opportunities in Germany, drawing from my own experiences to highlight the valuable academic, cultural, and professional benefits of studying and conducting research in Germany. My own academic journey has been shaped by a strong interest in neuroscience, cognitive rehabilitation, and clinical research, and I am committed to advancing these fields through both clinical practice and research initiatives. On a personal note, my summer abroad in Germany has inspired in me a deep appreciation for its culture, language, and traditions. I’m learning the language as a hobby and always look forward to my next visit!
-
Montana State University - Victoria Stoner
copyright Victoria StonerHi, my name is Victoria Stoner! I am currently pursuing a dual major in German Studies and Studio Arts with a focus in Ceramics at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. I completed my exchange year during the 2023-24 school year with the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program. During my exchange year, I attended the Friedrich-Paulsen Gymnasium in Niebüll. I am passionate about encouraging people to study a second language as a way to build and expand perspectives, encourage creativity and innovation, and create a more connected world. Feel free to reach out with any questions, I look forward to hearing from you!
-
Queen’s University - Gabriella Candussi
copyright Gabriella CandussiHello! My name is Gabriella Candussi, and I am entering in the first year of my Master’s of Applied Science in Civil Engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. My interest in the German language and culture sparked from a very young age as I spent every summer with my Oma. My early connection led me to seek out opportunities through the DAAD program.
I had a wonderful experience participating in this program at the Technische Hochschule Köln in Cologne. Germany is one of the leading countries in Europe when it comes to waste management. Annually, Germany produces 5.2 million tons of incinerator slag from the incineration of municipal waste. During my internship, I had the opportunity to assist with a research project focused on recycling the combustion slag in concrete mixtures.
Cologne is known for its vibrant cultural scene, friendly environment, and Germany’s greatest Gothic cathedral. The city’s welcoming atmosphere made for an easy transition as an international student. One of the highlights of the summer was meeting fellow interns at the DAAD Heidelberg conference. I connected with some incredible people and ended up joining in on some of their travels throughout Germany, visiting cities like Berlin, Munich, and even traveling to Austria. On weekends, I enjoyed hiking, trying new cuisines, and exploring the many museums. Europe’s transportation network is highly efficient, making it easy to travel between countries by train, bus, or plane.
The DAAD program allowed me to apply my academic knowledge and gain valuable field experience, while also providing hands-on exposure to German culture and history. Participating in this research internship has deepened my passion for the environmental aspect of Civil Engineering. I am thrilled to promote this program as a Young Ambassador and share this amazing opportunity to other students.
-
Rutgers University - Iris Park
copyright Iris ParkHallöchen! My name is Iris Park, and I am a senior at Rutgers University double majoring in Philosophy and German with a concentration in German Literature. Before coming to college, I had absolutely no intention of studying German. While studying in my freshman year, I found myself drawn to German philosophy and decided to try my hand at Introduction to German (also to get my language requirement out of the way.) However, what I found was a passion for the language and the strongest community of passionate language learners and professors. I ended up declaring German as a dual major alongside Philosophy, and it has ended up being the best decision I could have made for myself both academically and personally.
I had the privilege of studying abroad in Berlin during the spring semester of my junior year. Through FUBEST at Freie Universität Berlin, I partook in classes with other study abroad students. In order to gain fluency and feel more at home in the big city of Berlin, I opted to live with a host family – I could not recommend this opportunity enough. Being forced to speak solely in German everyday helped my fluency immensely, and I gained two new family members who I still keep in contact with at least once a week.
Studying abroad in Germany has shaped my life immensely and given me opportunities that I never would have previously thought possible. As a Young Ambassador, I hope to share my experience and encourage others to charter their paths through study in Germany as well.
-
Sewanee: The University of the South - Beatrix Adams
copyright Beatrix AdamsHallo! I’m Beatrix, a senior at Sewanee: The University of the South studying Natural Resources and English with a German minor. I’ve been lucky enough to study abroad in Germany twice in college during a 3-week Summer in Berlin program organized by my school as well as a semester-long program focused on Environmental Science.
Like so many others, I’ve been passively interested in German for a long time due to family ties to the country. Also like many others, my interest in Germany & German became more active as I began studying the language my freshman year of college. Having lived in Germany, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of and interest in German language as well as art, literature, food, and music. I’m excited for my position as a DAAD Young Ambassador as I hope to help other students find their way to Germany to have their own transformative abroad experiences through on-campus events and by acting as a resource for students interested in study/research/internships in Germany.
-
University of Alberta - Sarah Wilson
copyright Sarah WilsonSarah Wilson is a theatre artist based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan, (Edmonton) Alberta. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and a Certificate of International Learning at the University of Alberta. Sarah is passionate about study and travel in Germany, with a specific focus on German arts and cultural studies. Her German studies began in 2024 with a study abroad trip to Berlin to study theatre and attend Theatertreffen. Since then, she has returned in the Spring of 2025 on a grant from the Edmonton Arts Council to take part in a mentorship with The English Theatre Berlin and to attend movement and dance workshops. Sarah plans to expand her German studies by participating in language courses, attending conferences, conducting research, and by returning to Berlin to take part in a dance intensive at Tanzfabrik. Sarah is so excited to be taking on the role of the UofA’s German Ambassador through DAAD this year and is always happy to talk about German travel and study – no matter your academic field and goals. Please reach out at wilson.daad.ya@gmail.com.
-
University of California, Davis - Alyssa Manto
copyright Alyssa MantoHallo! My name is Alyssa Manto, and I’m a UC Davis undergraduate studying both psychology (with a biological emphasis) and German.
After my high school graduation, I flew to Germany and spent 10 months living with host families in Bonn, Cologne, and Heidelberg through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Vocational Program. Sponsored by both governments, the program pushed me into the role of an junior ambassador sharing the American culture while also helping me further my personal, academic, and professional careers by attending Gymnasium (high school) and pursuing numerous internships mostly in the social sphere: teaching at an elementary school, assisting a psychiatric clinic and senior residence home, involvement at the German-American Institute, and also aiding Heidelberg’s Bahnhofmission (railroad traveler’s aid).
Not long after my first exchange, I itched to return to Germany, prompting me to spend my sophomore fall semester in Berlin through the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) after receiving the John and Henni Fetzer Award for Advanced Undergraduate Study of German Literature and Culture. At the Freie Universität, I took advantage of the fun international classes (ex. “Berlin: poor but sexy. The pluralities of lifestyles in Berlin”) while also taking psychology classes with other German undergraduates.
As a DAAD young ambassador, I’m excited to connect with you soon and to share insights on Germany’s diverse and rich academic/professional pathways, inspired by my two study abroad experiences, which have tremendously enriched both my academic and personal life. Feel free to reach out anytime!
-
University of Iowa - Cora McLaren
copyright Cora McLarenHallo! My name is Cora McLaren, and I am a student at the University of Iowa majoring in Linguistics and German, with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I started learning German in high school, and over time discovered a love for language that led me to study language in college. I am currently in my fourth year at Iowa, and I spent my third year (2024-25) studying abroad through the Academic Year in Freiburg program in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
I always knew I wanted to study abroad, but I never imagined that I would spend a full year in Germany. My decision to take part in this program was challenging, but my year in Germany ended up being the highlight of my academic career. My German language skills improved drastically, from speaking German with friends and roommates to taking university courses taught in German through two local universities. I was able to take classes on linguistics as well, and I gained new perspectives on linguistics by taking courses taught by German speakers. My time in Germany also led to a lot of personal growth, and I discovered a new love for travel and passion for sustainability.
Choosing to study abroad was one of the best decisions I have made for myself, and I am excited to have the opportunity to make this opportunity more accessible for other students as a DAAD Young Ambassador.
-
University of King’s College - Tasha Moller
copyright Tasha MollerHello! I’m an undergraduate in my final year of my undergrad, studying Sociology, German and Contemporary studies at UKC and Dal. I spent a month in Berlin completing an intensive German summer class at the Humboldt University there.
I came to university with some German language abilities through my family – as well as an enthusiasm for German studies – but I wanted to strengthen my language skills and connection with the culture through a summer study abroad. My school didn’t offer any opportunities like this, so I independently organized my study abroad with the support of my German department!
Though my major is Sociology, I chose to incorporate German into my studies to stay connected to my heritage. Having the opportunity to study in Germany as a young adult was life-changing for me, since I was able to reconnect with more distant family members and ask them to share stories in their native language. Once my class was finished, I was also able to take the train to visit family in many different parts of Germany, such as Hamburg in the North and the beautiful Bodensee in the South. Studying in Germany was an invaluable way for me to reconnect with my family’s history, culture, and language. This was an important experience for me, one I would not have had access to without the DAAD program, and for it I am truly grateful.
My passions include research, media studies and music. I enjoy being involved on campus, as an exec of Dalhousie’s German Society as well as regularly working and volunteering here. I love a project and bringing curiosity to everything I come into contact with. I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with students hoping to find funding for study and research in Germany :) Feel free to reach out with any questions, or even just to say hello!
-
University of Pittsburgh - Mitchell Mondschein
copyright Mitchell MondscheinHello! My name is Mitchell Mondschein. I am in my 4th year at the University of Pittsburgh studying Neuroscience and German with a certificate in West European Studies and a minor in Economics. I started learning German in middle school as both of my older siblings chose to learn the language, and I continue to immerse myself in German language and cultural studies at university.
In the summer of ‘24, I studied in Heidelberg as part of the American Junior Year Program in Germany and had the opportunity to live with a host family while furthering my German language skills and taking a seminar on German colonial history and contemporary politics. My favorite memory of Heidelberg is attending the university fest and talking with other students about what I am doing in Heidelberg. In the summer of ‘25, I studied in Dortmund at TU Dortmund while completing biochemistry research as part of TU Dortmund’s International Summer Program. My favorite memory in Dortmund is going to a cafe-bookstore and discussing the research I did for my undergraduate German thesis with others there.
I have previous experience as a student ambassador for Pitt’s German Department and enjoyed talking with students about the opportunities learning German and studying abroad in Germany offers. Ensuring students are knowledgeable about what they can do in Germany no matter their field of study is important to me, and I hope to be a resource for students to use.
-
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras - Mariangélica Rosario
Moin! My name is Mariangélica Rosario and I am a second year student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages, majoring in German and minoring in Portuguese. I am passionate about learning from people, their cultures, how their society works, their history, and what better way to learn from all of this than to experience it day by day. So, almost a year after the beginning of the pandemic and with my future in mind, I applied for the Congress – Bundestag Youth Exchange program. In August 2021, after receiving a scholarship from the CBYX program, I moved to a small town in northern Germany called Schwalingen. There, I lived with a host family and completed my senior year of high school in a Gymnasium. I lived there for 11 months, which allowed me to experience the culture and learn some of the language. Through this exchange, I had many new experiences, from going to the local beer garden with my host family, eating all the classic foods like currywurst, and visiting many Döner places with my school friends. I also got to go on day trips and meet other exchange students and explore big cities like Berlin and Hamburg. Living in Germany was a great experience, it helped me to become more internationally aware, it showed me the importance of foreign relations and thanks to this I was able to experience first hand how cultural exchange can shape a person.
After this great experience, I am more than aware that living in a foreign country is something that should be tried out at least once in a lifetime. It gives people the opportunity to have a change of environment, to be more open-minded and it helps to get out of their comfort zone. I had a great experience and as a Young Ambassador, my goal is to help other students at my university to have an experience as rewarding as mine.
-
University of Richmond - Julia Guss
copyright Julia GussHallo! My name is Julia Guss, and I am a third-year student at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. I am triple majoring in History, Global Studies, and German Studies. I graduated high school early and solo traveled around Europe for 8 months, visiting nearly every country in Europe–but Germany captured my imagination because of its unique history, culture and natural beauty.
I have been lucky enough to take part in three different programs in Germany throughout my undergraduate career, which has provided me with a wide variety of experiences and insights into both study and research in Germany. Having gone into university without any German knowledge, I started off my study abroad experience with an intensive German language course at the Freie Universität Berlin (FUBIS). Although speaking the language is not a necessity to live or study in Germany, knowing German has absolutely enriched my experiences and relationships in Germany. Afterwards, I studied at the Universität Mannheim for the fall semester of 2024, which provided me with an entirely different perspective of Germany outside of Berlin.
After these study abroad experiences, I decided to apply for a research grant at my home university, so I could research Berlin’s techno culture after the fall of the Berlin Wall. As a result, I did archival research at der Archiv der Jugendkulturen, ethnographical research at Berlin’s world-renowned clubs, and, my personal favorite, oral history research by conducting interviews with key players in Berlin’s early techno scene.
Since I have had such a wide variety of academic experiences in Germany, I can help guide you down a wide variety of paths you may be interested in for study abroad. I hope I can convince you that studying abroad in Germany will enrich your professional, academic, and personal life no matter what you are interested in. Please feel free to email me if you are at all curious about studying or researching in Germany!
-
University of Rochester - Leo Liang
copyright Leo LiangHey there! My name is Leo, and I am studying Applied Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Music at the University of Rochester. This past summer I had the chance to join SLAPStack, an AI-driven automated warehouse logistics startup in Dortmund, where I worked on designing an error measurement and management framework for Automated Guided Vehicles. My project combined high-level mathematical modeling with low-level implementation, and I loved how it bridged both research and entrepreneurship.
I lived in a student dormitory during my stay, which quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the experience. I was able to connect with local and international students right away and ended up bartending and DJing at the student bar. I enjoyed the balance of living in the quiet suburbs while still being just a train ride away from vibrant cities like Amsterdam, Cologne, and Bonn.
When I first arrived, I worried about not knowing any German, but this turned out not to be a problem at all. Most people spoke English, and locals were always enthusiastic about helping me translate and settle in. My time in Dortmund was truly life-changing, both personally and professionally, and I would highly recommend applying to DAAD programs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I’d be happy to share more about my experience!
-
University of Texas at San Antonio - Brandon Skinner
copyright Brandon SkinnerMy name is Brandon Skinner, and I am a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio and I’m working on a degree in Biology with a minor in German. I became interested in Germany after I joined Dr. Donohue-Bergeler for The Dresden Experience study abroad program in 2024, where I learned about study in a different country along with the culture and history of Dresden and greater Germany. I was fascinated to see the various periods of the city’s history existing simultaneously, with buildings and cultural elements from the reign of Augustus II the Strong, the establishment of the modern German state, Nazi Germany, the DDR, and the modern day sitting beside one another.
After returning home from the program, I decided to declare a minor in German to learn more, where language courses recontextualized my study abroad experience. Along with a newfound interest in the language, learning that German universities offer rigorous graduate programs in biology and that the DAAD exists to connect people with these programs made me consider studying abroad in a way I had not before. I’m looking to study in Germany again one day, and I encourage others to do the same for all that Germany has to offer for students, no matter where they may be in their studies.
I believe that I’ve grown as a person from having studied abroad in Germany, and I look forward to working as a DAAD Young Ambassador to help others reach wonderful opportunities in Germany.
-
University of Toronto - Rudy Yuan
copyright Rudy YuanGrüß Sie! I’m Rudy, a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto (U of T) double majoring in international relations and German Studies, with a minor in political science. I studied German throughout middle and high school, having first been exposed to the language when I took classical singing lessons in my childhood. When I came to U of T I decided to combine my German skills with my passion for politics, literature, and history and pursue Germanistik as one of my two majors.
I visited Germany for the first time in the summer of 2024, through the iPraktikum program offered by U of T’s Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures. I worked as a communications and public relations intern at AgriKultur e.V. in Freiburg, where I helped promote and organize an annual agricultural festival. Connecting with farmers, NGOs, and other civil society groups across southern Baden-Württemberg put my seven years of academic German to the test, and I left Germany with a newfound appreciation for the dynamism of civil society and the importance of cultural exchanges.
My time in Germany made it clear to me that I want to contribute to the transatlantic alliance in my future professional life, especially at a time where Canadian foreign policy is at a crossroads. As a DAAD Young Ambassador, I am looking forward to sharing my insights and German knowledge to inspire more of my peers to explore this wonderful country!
-
University of Victoria - Orla Scott
Hallo! My name is Orla Scott and I am a fourth year History and Germanic Studies student at the University of Victoria. This past academic year, I participated in the Canadian Year in Freiburg exchange through Acadia University, and spent two terms in the south of Germany taking language and culture classes at the Albert-Ludwigs University’s Language Institute. My exchange to Germany was a wonderful experience, and I am very excited to be volunteering with the DAAD this year to help other university students take part in German exchange programs.
I began learning German in 2021, and participated in the Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG) summer exchange to Kassel the following summer. My experience in Kassel was fantastic! While taking part daily intensive language classes, I stayed with a very kind and encouraging German host family who welcomed me into their family and were very supportive of my language learning. Building friendships in German with my host family and with CSSG peers was very motivating for continuing with my German education.
Living in Freiburg was an equally inspiring and rewarding experience. I very much enjoyed taking classes with students from all over the world, learning German in the classroom and immediately putting it to use in my daily life, and building a home-away-from-home in a new language. Some highlights of my study-abroad year included taking recreational dance classes in German, travelling within and outside of Germany, and finding a lovely community of international students excited about learning German and exploring a new part of the world. As a French-speaker, I particularly enjoyed living near the French and Swiss borders where Francophone and Germanophone culture meet and overlap.
This Fall I will be returning to the University of Victoria to complete my last two years of undergraduate studies. I am looking forward to helping promote DAAD programs at UVic.
-
Virginia Tech - Will Good
copyright Will GoodHello! My name is Will Good, I am a senior at Virginia Tech studying National Security and Foreign Affairs with a minor in German. When I first started at Virginia Tech, I had no prior experience in German. However, after deciding to take German freshmen year, it has now become one of the biggest highlights of my collegiate career! Studying the language has taken me to incredible places and provided me with unique opportunities to meet fantastic people!
My study abroad experience took me to the Philipps-Universität Marburg in Germany for a summer session. Marburg is a quaint town with influence from the famous Brothers Grimm that makes it especially stunning and unique. During my time there, I attended several political science classes, as well as a German language and history course. Being in Marburg exposed me to international perspectives and greatly expanded my knowledge of political science as well. When I was not studying, I would explore the town with my friends or travel around Germany; we went to cities such as Weimar, Wiesbaden, Berlin and Heidelberg during our stay.
My experience abroad was unforgettable, and I hope to assist others in finding the right place for them in Germany! There is something for everyone, no matter what you major in.
Studying abroad is a priceless opportunity that provides you with memories, friendships and great learning opportunities that you cannot replicate anywhere else!
