Young Ambassadors Profiles
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Acadia University - Ajanta Deibel
Hi! My name is Ajanta Deibel. I am a student at Acadia University studying German and Comparative Religion.
I spent two semesters on exchange in Freiburg this past year. It was an incredible year. I learned so much both about the world and about myself. I had to step outside of my comfort zone on a daily basis to speak German and adjust to a new way of life. Of course, my German improved greatly in this immersive experience, but my confidence did as well. In learning a new language, you are required to make a fool of yourself but keep trying. Slowly, I learned to be okay with that. Despite the many challenges I faced in Germany, I felt so safe there. In Freiburg in particular, the people were very kind and helpful. I even felt supported by strangers; they treated me like a part of their community. My experiences in Germany opened my mind and changed the way I see the world. I quickly fell in love with Germany, and I already envision a future for myself there.
I am entering my final year at Acadia University. During this year, even though I will be away from Germany, the culture will still remain a large part of my life. I am excited to share my love of German language and culture with others, especially those who may not be exposed to it otherwise. And as a Young Ambassador, I hope to inspire others to pursue new experiences and spend time abroad in Germany.
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Carleton University - Gabriella Candussi
Hello! My name is Gabriella Candussi, and I am entering my final year of Civil Engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa, 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 last summer 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.
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Colgate University - Aidan Settles
Seid gegrüßt, ich heiße Aidan Settles und ich habe an der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität-Freiburg (Uni Freiburg) studiert. Many of you may not have had Germany as a dream destination to study abroad. I had the same feeling when I knew I wanted to study abroad and at the same time fulfill my language requirements for my International Relations and German double major. I needed to choose a language program to study abroad, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what language and nation to choose. Because of my heritage and admiration of German culture, which I gained from trips to Berlin and München as a child, I chose German and the Colgate University Freiburg Study Group program (FSG2024).
I won’t deny that only two semesters of German and the Middlebury Summer Language program for German felt futile to tame the wild beast, that is the German language and its various dialects. However, I could not have been more proud of myself for the basis of cultural integration, that I had created through the German language. Of course, Germans love to hear the visitors speaking their native tongue, but they are also glad to practice their English, as all Germans have had English lessons in their education. Genau, there is no reason to worry about speaking German fluently in order to study in Germany.
My study abroad program took two weeks exploring German-speaking culture across Österreich, die Schweiz, und Deutschland, which very much drilled into my head the diverse and unique groups of Germans. Bayerisch has a new place in my heart as a confounding but awesome dialect; the Berliners have subconsciously influenced my fashion, and Weimar has taught me how to enjoy simplicity and thought. Und Freiburg, lovely Freiburg, helped me transform into a more mature, centered, and adventurous person.
After the two-week ‘cultural adventure’, I enrolled in German-speaking courses at Uni Freiburg, and I was able to join several clubs, such as Ami (American) Flag Football und Sontag Fußball, where I met the majority of my German friend groups. However, I would generally say the study abroad programs in Freiburg were great at incorporating newcomers with all things German: German roommates, international club groups, well-planned community and party events open to everyone, and simply a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. I can strongly state, it is extremely unlikely that you will not find your place as well as friends for life in Germany! If you are considering this ‘hidden-gem’ opportunity, take a look at the DAAD applications. Please reach out with any questions about my experiences, I will be very excited to share! Tschüss, Aidan.
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Columbia University - Simone Hoekstra
Guten Tag! I’m Simona, a senior at Columbia University in New York, studying sociology.
While my family is from the Netherlands, my school’s Dutch course didn’t fit into my schedule. So instead, I opted to fill my language requirement with German—and I am so grateful I made this decision!
Over the past few years, I have found such an incredible community in my school’s German department. It was these strong connections and newly sparked interests in German culture, history, and intellectual theory that motivated me to study abroad in Berlin last semester.
My time in Germany taught me so many lessons, both in school and in life. My language skills improved immensely; I had invaluable experiences as I studied crucial historical moments in the places they happened; I felt inspired to take many German values and lifestyles back home. And, of course, I enjoyed lots of delicious Schnitzel. I hope not only to return to Berlin but to explore even more of Germany—hopefully soon!
These experiences strengthened my interest in using my sociology degree in an intercultural and global field. I am so excited to serve as a Young Ambassador for DAAD and help other students find academic opportunities in Germany equally rewarding as my own.
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Dickinson College - Noah Salsich
Hello everyone! My name is Noah Salsich, I will be a senior this year at Dickinson College, a small liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. I double major in political science, and I have a minor in German. I was lucky enough to study in Bremen, Germany during my junior year and I absolutely loved it. My school has a partnership with the University of Bremen, so I was able to study there for the semester. I chose to do so because I wanted to improve my German, and I had gotten to go on a research trip to Germany once before and loved it, so I wanted to see what living and studying there would be like. I come from a very small New England town, and Bremen is a smaller city, so it was perfect for me. I loved the downtown area, and enjoyed a lot of the cultural events throughout the semester. I am somewhat of a foodie, and really fell in love with German breakfast and the bread culture there. I really enjoyed the classes, at a bigger university there was more variety, meaning that I could take ones that fit into my double major and interests. I also took half of my classes in German, which was certainly difficult at times, but I enjoyed the experience and I feel like I got more out of my immersion experience through that. While there, I did get to improve my German considerably. I love the language and had gotten to a level where I could understand a lot of spoken German and did well in a classroom setting, but I wasn’t sure how well I would do in Germany, surrounded by native speakers. I realized that I could do fairly well to start, and I got much better by the end. It was such a great feeling to be able to handle being independent in a second language, conversing with someone I was close with in German, and laughing at their jokes. Overall, I had an excellent time in Germany, and after my bachelors degree I hope to return to live there!
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Duke University - Madeline Waterfield
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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - Logan Sankhagowit
Hello! My name is Logan. I am a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I am from Phoenix Arizona, and I attend my university‘s Prescott Arizona campus. I study mechanical engineering with a particular interest in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). FEA uses a mathematical method to simulate real world systems. These simulations can be used to solve and predict various problems or scenarios in industries. FEA, however, has not reached its full potential and there is currently a lot of ongoing research on the topic. Validation of a FEA simulation is an aspect of this research that I wanted to gain more experience in. Amazingly there were many internships in the DAAD Rise program that were related to this topic. I was accepted to an internship at Leibnitz University Hannover, where I worked at the Institute of Forming Technology and Machines (IFUM). My job was to use FEA to simulate the forging process of steel and aluminum. The goal was to determine the amount of wear caused by this with an accurate simulation. It was amazing to work with and get to know the other colleagues in the office as well as my mentor, who shared a lot of valuable knowledge and experience with me. Hannover was also a super fun place to live. It has a rich social life and there are many community activities that are a great way to meet and make friends. My experience abroad has helped me establish my world views and personal values. I am super excited to be a young ambassador and I look forward to helping you make the most out of your Germany experience.
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Hamilton College - Lainey Groll
Hello! My name is Lainey Groll and I am going into my fourth and final year at Hamilton College. At Hamilton I am a double major in Biochemistry and German Studies. Prior to college, I had no experience in German classes. However, in college I took up the course of study through an interest in both the language and philosophy. I am interested in being a nurse post-graduation, and I found German philosophy on identity and power structures to be both fascinating and useful for these plans. As I took more classes with the German department I fell more and more in love with the topic and professors, eventually becoming a German tutor and the president of our campus’s German club.
This past year I had the lovely opportunity to spend the spring semester at Universität Tübingen. Here through Tufts in Tübingen, I got to partake in classes both designed for international students and degree seeking students. These courses included learning more about German language and culture, while also learning more about subjects such as the everyday history of the 20th century and an education class. While in Germany, my experiences were also able to extend beyond the classroom. While in Tübingen I joined a knitting club, rowed for the university, and even had weekly Tandem partner meetings. These experiences, as well as my daily coffee runs, were where my German skills really grew day-to-day.
Overall, my experiences studying abroad in Germany were incredibly rewarding. I learned more about not only German culture but my native one as well. Any challenges or difficulties that arose I was able to handle and move past, deepening my understanding of my own capabilities. I am excited to share my own enthusiasm and experiences with others back at Hamilton in this coming year!
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Lehigh University - Alexandra Wnuk
Hello! My name is Alexandra Wnuk and I am a senior at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I am a materials science and engineering major with the plan of obtaining a PhD related to polymer science engineering.
Research, specifically in an international setting, is one of my top interests so I was overjoyed when I got the DAAD RISE Scholarship. My placement was at the Institute for Circular Economy of Biopolymers at Hof University, where I researched how wine grape pomace extracts affect the thermal and oxidative degradation of biopolymers. (The wine grapes were from a local winery too!) Not only did I gain technical skills, such as polymer processing techniques and performing extracts, but I also learned about the value of sustainability in German culture. For example, Germany takes recycling seriously, from separate bins for different types of waste to innovative sorting technology at recycling centers.
My mentor was incredibly helpful and we had so many insightful conversations about the field and Germany. He would always give me recommendations on where to travel to for the weekend! I visited cities such as Bamberg, Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich, and Wurzburg and loved to explore the streets and unique sights each city had to offer. My favorite hobby is thrifting, so I loved to check out the thrift stores in each city!
My favorite city I visited was Heidelberg, where I also attended the RISE conference. I met talented, motivated people passionate about international research and formed lifelong connections.
I appreciate the time I’ve spent here in Germany and I’m excited to be an ambassador to share my research and cultural experiences.
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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!
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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Dexter Ande
Hello! My name is Dexter Ande. I am a senior at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. I will graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in German. My interest in German started with my love of sports. As a soccer fan, I became a big FC Bayern Munich supporter. Then during my sophomore year of high school as part of the language requirement, I started learning German. I didn’t think much of it at first, but then I graduated high school with 3 years of German. When I took the placement exam for college, I only needed a few more courses for a German minor. As I took some more German courses, I became passionate about increasing my cultural awareness.
Then I realized I should do something more with my knowledge of German culture and decided to study abroad during the summer of 2023. I studied in Esslingen, Germany at Hochschule Esslingen. This was a life-changing decision. I was able to practice and increase my fluency. In addition, I could take some technical engineering courses that I could transfer over. My school had a partnership with my host school that made the transition very easy.
Through this experience, I gained many valuable skills. I learned how to communicate and work with others from various backgrounds. While abroad, I was able to push myself to try different things and adapt to a new culture. This process was not only fun but rewarding as well.
I believe that as a Young Ambassador, I can share my experience and my stories to help others get the same life-changing experience that I did.
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Sewanee: The University of the South - Sarah Mehany
Hello everyone! My name is Sarah Mehany and I am a double Politics/International and Global Studies major with a German/German Studies minor at Sewanee: The University of the South. When I got accepted to Sewanee and saw they had a large number of students who studied abroad I knew it was something I wanted to do in the future. Being an IGS major with a concentration in Europe/Global politics and knowing that studying abroad in my geographic area of concentration was required, I definitely felt overwhelmed with the number of places I could go. Europe was a dream and as the time grew closer for me to make a decision I was having a hard time figuring out exactly what that dream was for me. After the opportunity to go to Berlin was offered to me I immediately fell in love with everything about Berlin. The concept of studying abroad was terrifying to me and I couldn’t be more grateful for how the experience turned out. I learned so much about Germany and German culture, but also so much more about myself and this experience helped me realize there was a lot more to life than just what I thought was possible. It opened my eyes to paths I could take that I previously didn’t know existed and it definitely made me appreciate the concept of “Heimat” (home) a lot more. I ended up extending my stay in Germany and embarked on an incredible independent research journey learning about Holocaust remembrance and an analysis on memory studies (a concept I had never even heard of before I went to Berlin.) Berlin was the best experience of my life and I can’t wait to promote this wonderful adventure to more students as a DAAD Young ambassador.
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Trinity University - Rachel Lerman
My name is Rachel Lerman. I am a senior at Trinity University pursuing a degree in Sociology and International Studies with a concentration in Diplomacy, Security, War, and Peace Studies. My journey with Germany began in the summer of 2022 when I decided to study abroad in Berlin through my university’s program called Trinity in Germany. What started as a simple summer program quickly turned into a life-changing experience. As I traveled through various cities and immersed myself in the complex German culture, I found myself falling in love with the country.
The summer left such a profound impact on me that upon returning to my university, I immediately enrolled in German language courses. These classes not only deepened my understanding of the language but also strengthened my connection to Germany, fueling my desire to return.
That opportunity came sooner than expected. I recently spent six months in Berlin, where I had the privilege of combining academic studies with practical experience. During the spring semester, I expanded my academic horizons through courses like German Political Thought and German Popular Culture, while navigating daily life in the complex city of Berlin. My summer internship at a community garden allowed me to further immerse myself in Berlin’s culture, as I connected with locals and participated in community sustainability projects. It also allowed me to further develop my German language skills at a more practical level by interacting with local people.
This extended stay solidified my passion for Germany, and I am excited to share my experiences as a DAAD Young Ambassador. I look forward to helping others discover the unique opportunities that studying in Germany offers.
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University of Alberta - Kian Kyars
Hello everyone! My name is Kian and I am pursuing my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Alberta, entering my final year. I participated in the DAAD RISE program in the summer of 2023 at the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden in Saxony. There, I worked in the Industry 4.0 Smart Production Systems lab with a focus on Reinforcement Learning for 3 months under the tutelage of Dr. Fouad Bahrpeyma. In my time in Dresden I explored many areas of Germany and the neighboring Poland and Czechia, meeting people from various backgrounds and immersing myself in German culture and language.
The highlight of my resarchship in Germany was definitely the three-day RISE Germany meeting in Heidelberg where I met the RISE participants from all over Germany and learned what their research focus was via the presentations given by various internees. We also attended the annual firework show there which was unforgettable! I also kept a vlog on YouTube of my travels throughout the summer which I recommend people watch if they wish to understand how travel works in Germany.
In my free time, I enjoy endurance sports, in particular, cycling and running. Traveling and language learning are my two main passions, and that was why the program was such a good fit for me since the Deutsche Bahn is very convenient and I was able to improve my German significantly. I participate in many volunteer organizations during the school year and am elated to add my role as being an ambassador to one of them to spread the word of the DAAD RISE program to my fellow students in Edmonton!
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University of British Columbia - Kendyl Stark
Kendyl Stark
Hallo! My name is Kendyl and I’m heading into my fourth and final year of my double major in International Relations and Honors German Studies at the University of British Columbia. Working towards a career in international humanitarian law with a keen interest in peace studies and laws of armed conflict, I hope to be part of a global movement towards an equitable and enforceable system of international law. Currently, I’m writing my honors German studies undergraduate thesis on cognitive temporal warfare, the weaponization of historical and cultural memory, in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Last summer, through a partnership between UBC and Bauhaus University, I had the opportunity to spend three months in Weimar, Thuringia for a digital editorial internship at the Goethe and Schiller Archive. My time in Germany was truly transformative, personally, academically, and professionally. I look forward to giving back to my department and community by helping my peers access the same life-changing opportunities.
The focus of my supervisor’s research was Female Letters from the Varnhagen Collection, a collaboration between professors at Bauhaus and Jagiellonian University (Poland). During my time at the Goethe and Schiller Archive, I discovered the importance of academic exchange, collaboration, and research as a means of long-term, sustainable peace building, lessons I will carry with me throughout my entire personal and professional journey. DAAD’s mission really resonated with me for this very reason. I’m so proud to be a part of a broader community of scholars who recognize the value of academic exchange and the globalization of research and education.
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University of California, Berkeley - Paige Lyles
Servus! Mein Name ist Paige Lyles und ich studiere Bauingenieurwesen (civil engineering) an der UC Berkeley. This past summer I had the opportunity to further explore my interest in sustainable infrastructure through my research at Hochschule München. My project focused on developing sustainable concrete mix designs to be used in 3D printing of structures and UHPC (ultra high performance concrete) mix variations to be used in restoration and failure prevention of pre-existing structures.
The state of Bayern (Bavaria) has so much to offer in terms of intellectual stimulation at the university level, but also breathtaking alps, beautiful bodies of water, and an exciting culture with appetizing food. Although the summertime is too early to partake in Oktoberfest activities, numerous biergartens are scattered across the city and volksfeste like Frülingsfest and the Kocherlball allow you the chance to observe and partake in the culture and traditions of the region. Some of my favorite memories include trips to admire the wondrous architecture of buildings like the Neuschwanstein Schloss and spending time with colleagues and friends at a biergarten or next to the Isar river in the Englischer Garten. Not to mention, the central location of Germany makes weekend trips to other countries seamless!
I grew up in Germany for some time and have family roots in Baden-Wurttemberg, so I could rely on the bit of German I learned as a child to help in acclimating to life in München. However, I wouldn’t be worried for those who are new to learning the language as the majority of locals speak English which can be of great help with the transition as you are growing your German skills.
My time in München was marked by amazing opportunities for both professional and personal growth, and I highly recommend it to those considering applying to the DAAD. I would be happy to give advice and share more about my experience, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you might have!
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University of Guelph - Gabriel Martin
Hello! My name is Gabriel Martin, and I am studying Computer Science at the University of Guelph in Ontario. I plan to transfer to the University of Kassel in Germany in the fall of 2025.
I started learning German about two years ago when I needed to choose an elective course. It quickly became a passion of mine, and I then took every German-related course offered by my institution. Last year, a student gave a presentation on his experience with the CSSG (Canadian Summer School in Germany) program offered through Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. I signed up for this program and stayed in Kassel with an amazing host family for two months, where I attended an intensive German language course.
I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in German culture and imagine what my life could be like there. From the wonderful people I met in Germany to the cultural and societal aspects, such as the level of mobility afforded to students through the public transport system, and the endless cultural and historical events and activities. I participated in the CSSG program again this summer and am currently counting the days until I can return to Germany.
I discovered this passion of mine through the enthusiasm of friends and professors, and I am immensely grateful to them for the trajectory they have set my life on. I feel an obligation to let others know about the opportunities that await them in Germany and to share my enthusiasm with them.
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University of King’s College - Olivia MacDonald
Hallo! I am Olivia MacDonald, a fifth-year English and history major at the University of King’s College. My study experiences in German shaped my academic interests and taught me more about what I enjoy learning. I am excited to be a DAAD ambassador and share enriching opportunities with others!
My interest in Germany began when I traveled outside Canada for the first time on a high school arts trip. I knew I enjoyed history, especially art history, but encountering the historic locations and works I learned about in class off the page brought them to life for me. This short field trip was a catalyst for my decision to study history. In my first year, I was required to take a language course, and I decided to learn German.
Last summer, I participated in a field course, Memory, Politics, Place: Berlin’s 20th Century, offered by Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College. The course focused on contemporary German history and philosophy, with a focus on public history, collective memory, and the politics of memorialization. All the reading and writing the course requires was supplemented with daily site visits to relevant museums and monuments or simply exploring a certain neighborhood together. Contextualizing our in-class discussions made the material especially impactful.
Immersing myself in German culture created so many spontaneous learning opportunities. I learned just as much outside of class time when I visited Berlin’s libraries, museums, movie theaters, and operas. I even improved my beginner German skills by ordering food, taking public transit, and asking for directions. My German study experience empowered me both academically and personally!
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University of Manitoba - Selma Osmanović
Hi! My name is Selma Osmanović, I am entering the fifth year of my double major studies in Political and German Studies at the University of Manitoba! While I have had always a connection to Germany through my family history, I completely fell in love with Germany through a different lens when I started my German Studies degree. German is what I found myself in completely and I cannot possibly imagine going down any other path from here on!
This is why I felt motivated to study in Germany as soon as the pandemic would allow it. I was among the first to go on exchange after the pandemic where I attended a DAAD short language course “Academic Life in Leipzig” in September of 2022 at the interDaF (Herder Institut) of the University of Leipzig, after which I moved to the University of Greifswald where I studied in the 2022 fall semester through the University of Manitoba International Centre Exchange Program.
My exchange was an amazing opportunity where I experienced not only educational discoveries but also personal ones. I learned just as much academically as I did about myself, my goals in the future, and my outlook on life. It seems as if I have grown as much in only one semester abroad as I would have in a few semesters at home. I am looking forward to being a DAAD Young Ambassador because it makes me feel as if my exchange experience hasn’t ended just yet! I am extremely passionate about the German experience and just how enriching study abroad can be, which is why I cannot wait to share my passion with others and hopefully influence someone out there to study in Germany!
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University of Michigan - Kai Carter
Hallöchen! My name is Kai Carter, and I’m a student at the University of Michigan majoring in German and Linguistics, with minors in Translation Studies and Asian Languages and Cultures. My passion lies in learning, understanding, and translating languages. Since languages reflect history and cultural identity, for me, learning a language is a practice of tolerance, empathy, and personal growth. My goal is to become a translator or interpreter, as I adore the finer details of language and want to connect people by bridging linguistic boundaries.
In 2023-2024, I studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany, through the Academic Year in Freiburg program. This immersive experience, which I had planned since high school, allowed me to deepen my fluency in German—a language I largely taught myself. Living in Freiburg for a year, I was pleasantly surprised by the environmentally minded city and vibrant student community, and I was able to take university classes at the University of Freiburg alongside German students. There were also opportunities for internships and jobs, and I met many native speakers and made lasting friendships in my classes, hobbies, and university housing. By speaking German daily, I grew into a confident, fluent speaker.
I’m excited to share the transformative experience of studying abroad. My experience has motivated my future ambitions and changed the way I view my education and career goals. I believe that the perspectives gained through such opportunities are invaluable, and all students should be able to benefit personally and academically by expanding their geographic horizons.
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities - Sayumi Ranasinghe
I am a third year student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Pharmacology and German. I have been self taught in German since 2021 and started taking classes taught in German at my university in 2023. I spent my 2024 summer in Hannover, Germany conducting research on infectious bursal disease virus in chickens on a DAAD RISE scholarship for three months. This program in particular appealed to me as it combined both my STEM interests as well as my interest in exploring Germany and working with an international group. I was matched to the clinic of poultry at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, where I worked under the mentorship of a PhD student. I hope to continue my research, specifically in avian influenza, in Hannover as a current research Fulbright applicant. During my three month stay in Hannover, I spent weekends traveling to different German cities and neighboring countries. One of my favorite memories from that summer was meeting all of the other RISE interns at the Heidelberg conference. As I am graduating in May of 2025, I plan to apply for PhD programs in the US to study molecular biology and virology and have interest in possibly returning to Germany for future research projects. As a DAAD Youth ambassador, I am working with my school’s study abroad office to coordinate events to show students about the opportunities DAAD offers and to speak on my experience as a DAAD RISE intern.
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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.
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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.
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University of Waterloo - Hannah Uitvlugt-Rafuse
Hallo Studenten! I’m Hannah, but I also go by Frau Hannah. I am a bilingual English-German university student, whose dream career is to be a second language professor at a university. I currently teach English and German online, as well as write a travel blog about my adventures around the globe.
My journey with German started in elementary school when my family decided to move to Germany. Big change right? I spent one year in Canada learning German at a Saturday morning German language school, then we moved to Germany. We spent some time in Mannheim, but eventually settled in Viernheim. In Viernheim, I was enrolled in an international program at a Gemeinsamschule alongside other foreigners. We spent pretty much the entire school day learning the German language and culture.
After a year, we moved back to Canada where I continued my German language studies throughout high school and university. In May 2022, I returned to Germany on the CSSG program. On this program, I lived in Kassel for 6 weeks with a host family and was enrolled in a teacher development course for DaF. Initially, I was really hesitant when applying for the program. But, I remember a friend encouraging me to take it one step at a time, and before I knew it, I was boarding an 8 hour flight to Frankfurt.
Thanks to this program, I had the opportunity to teach German in Germany to Canadian students, and teach English in Germany to German students. I also improved my understanding of German culture and made some great connections! I’m grateful for everything this experience taught me and cannot wait to inspire other students, the way my friend did for me, to take the leap of faith to study/research abroad!
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Universtiy of Toronto - Kyra Petit
Hi everyone! My name is Kyra Petit and I am going into my fourth year at the University of Toronto (UofT) where I am majoring in both Political Science and German Studies. I was introduced to German and German culture at the age of 9 when I moved to the Deutsche Schule Bombay. Since then, during my time at UofT, my interest in German has only deepened, inspiring me to run for Secretary of the German Studies Students Union (GSSU). I held this position in the previous school year as I wished to be more actively involved in the German Studies community at UofT, something I hope to do more of as a Young Ambassador.
Part of my experience in Germany includes the summer of 2023 where I had the opportunity to go to Berlin as part of a summer abroad programme where we focused on the cultural landscapes of the city. During the course we aimed to understand how significant events altered the actual architecture of the city and thus the experience of the people therein as well as their personal reactions and discussions based on their surroundings.
This summer I was able to return to Germany (in Freiburg) through the iPraktikum programme at my university, in which I spent 3 months working with an organisation called Zusammenleben as a way to facilitate the improvement of my spoken German language skills.
In the future I hope to work and live in Germany, hopefully starting off by doing my Masters degree in a German university. My time spent in Germany consists of some of my most memorable and cherished experiences, which I hope to share and help others to acquire in my position as a Young Ambassador.
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Vassar College - Emma Larson
Hello! My name is Emma Larson, and I am a senior at Vassar College studying Art History and German Studies. I grew up in a bilingual household, but it was not until college that I began to learn German in an academic setting. Studying German has allowed me to grow closer to my heritage, and to appreciate how broad the scope of German Studies can be. I love the challenge of learning technical grammar structure, reading academic literature, and growing the capacity of my language capabilities. At Vassar, the German Studies department does excellent work to push interdisciplinary connections with other departments, which has been an important influence for my academic work. As an Art History student, my primary interest, and the subject of my thesis, is the German Expressionist movement at the beginning of the 20th century.
The first time I traveled to Germany for my studies was the summer after my freshman year. I interned at an art conservation business in Bavaria for two months, where I was able to learn how to handle, repair, and study Bavarian folk art, ranging from altarpieces to farmhouse frescoes. Then, in the fall of 2023, I studied abroad via Duke University’s program Duke in Berlin, which is affiliated with the Freie Universität. Through this program, I was able to significantly improve my language skills, take advantage of Berlin’s excellent cultural institutions, and learn about the sociopolitical conversations happening in Germany today. I also interned at an art gallery during my time abroad, allowing me to interact with the Berlin art scene. In my position, I learned about the responsibilities of a gallerist, engaged with contemporary artwork, and spoke with exhibiting artists.
The experiences I had abroad shaped and underscored my passion for art, and through them, I developed invaluable skills for my studies and professional goals. As a Young Ambassador, I want to inform my peers of the incredible opportunities available to them in Germany, and how formative they can be.
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Virginia Tech - Vicky Thomas
Hallo! My name is Vicky Thomas, and I am a senior at Virginia Tech pursuing degrees in Mechanical Engineering and German. My journey with German began in high school and has flourished during my time at Virginia Tech, where I am deeply involved in the German program. I serve as president of both the German Culture Club and Teach 4 Jamie, a club that holds an after-school German program for elementary school students in the Blacksburg community.
I spent this past summer in Berlin, taking part in an internship program with IES Abroad. Four days a week for eight weeks, I worked at a community garden project in Berlin Wedding. I dedicated equal time to learning the hands-on fundamentals of urban gardening and supporting educational initiatives within the garden project that benefit the community. During my time in Germany, I had the opportunity to live with a host family, and it completely transformed my experience. I learned about the culture of former East Germany from my host mom and gained insights into the city through the lens of someone who has lived there for most of her life.
I am deeply passionate about language learning and cultural exchange. I believe that studying a different language and culture creates the potential for people to overcome their differences and promotes a more tolerant and equitable society. I am thrilled to be a DAAD Young Ambassador, enabling me to share this passion with my fellow students and inspire them to study abroad. My time in Germany was life-changing and has motivated me to encourage others to seek out similar transformative experiences.
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Washington & Lee University - Mariam Drammeh
Hello! My name is Mariam Drammeh and I am a junior majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Science and German and minoring in Art History. I grew up in Lawrenceville, GA where I started studying German in high school and have not stopped since! These classes, and especially my language teacher, fostered my love for the language and inspired me to continue studying it in college. I spent the summer of 2023 in Berlin doing an internship at a refugee organization, Moabit Hilft after spending a month in Graz, Austria doing an intensive language, history, and culture study. My summer in Berlin was truly a summer of wonder and discovery. I was able to grow my professional skills and unlock my interest in working for a non-governmental organization. I was also able to learn more about my cultural background by watching how people of different cultures built communities in a foreign land. My experience in Berlin not only prompted me to return and study more about the refugee crisis, but also to learn how to find comfort in moments of discomfort and truly push myself to learn more. I could not have loved my experience in Germany more and I cannot wait to take on the role of a DAAD ambassador, in order for students at my university to have the chance to experience the same wonder I did!
