Pursuing learning experiences in the multilingual world
Students of German at Colgate engage with European culture and explore a range of fields — in the sciences and the humanities — adding international dimensions to their education and experiences. They pursue summer coursework, a wide range of internships, and fellowship opportunities in German-speaking Europe. Along the way, they are aided by grants funded through the University and organizations beyond campus.
There are many ways to advance your study of German and acquire educational and international experience beyond the Colgate campus — and resources available to help you do so. These include grants for supplemental summer and winter course study, scholarships for undertaking different courses of study in Europe, and more. Please consult with faculty to discuss such opportunities.
- Middlebury Language Schools
- Goethe Institute (NYC / USA)
- Humboldt Institut (Verein für Deutsch als Fremdsprache e.V.)
- DAAD Scholarship Database
- DAAD German Studies Research Grant
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for International Students
- Map of Universities that offer the "Deutschland Stipendium" (German Scholarship Program)
- FU-Berlin: FUBIS: short winter and summer term courses in Berlin
- Study in Austria
Economic and cultural globalization places a premium on international experience. Check out these resources for exploring internships in Germany and Europe and consult with German faculty to discuss these opportunities.
For their academically rigorous work, Colgate’s German department students have received international recognition in the form of Fulbright Teaching Assistantships to Germany, DAAD fellowships and teaching grants, and other research grants. Check out Colgate's Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships and meet with German faculty to discuss such opportunities.
The department will award several grants of $1500 each to support the study of German during summer (and, in some cases, winter) break. These grants, supported in part through the generosity of alumni, fund work on independent projects or through established programs.
Grants are awarded on academic merit and the project’s future impact on an applicant’s work in German Studies. Priority is given to students who will be members of the Freiburg Study Group.
To apply, please provide information regarding your project by completing this form.
Highlights of students' experiences
"This summer, I completed a three-month internship with the law firm of Rückel & Collegen in Munich, Germany, through the German-American Exchange program. [...] As an intern, I read witness statements and gathered quotes, translated multiple letters and texts from German to English and vice versa, read and summarized legal documents, and researched various topics. Additionally, I was given the chance to observe the questioning of a witness in the trial of a former secretary to the commandant of a concentration camp, the resolution of a disputed divorce settlement, and multiple meetings with clients. This internship was perfect for me in that it allowed me to simultaneously progress towards my goal of fluency in German and gain firsthand experience in an industry of interest. [...] In light of these advancements, I feel well prepared to make the most of my semester abroad as a member of Colgate’s Freiburg Study Group."
Annabelle Adelizzi Class of 2024
"I worked in the Product Development and Marketing department at Ford’s Merkenich site for two months. There, I completed a variety of projects surrounding the launch of their new electric vehicles. My tasks included researching the implementation of gamification to attract customers, strategizing BEV development and marketing, and providing an overview of how car brands illustrate their sustainability goals. [...] My internship at Ford helped me gain an understanding of how a corporate and global enterprise functions; from the number of departments needed to coordinate ideas and executive decisions before a task is completed to the political nuancing within sections to assure one’s consideration for promotions. My German improved thoroughly and near the completion of my time in Köln, natives were no longer responding to me in English."
Izzy Zangari Class of 2024
I learned a lot about how different languages can intersect, and the diverse opportunities available to me as a multilingual student abroad.
N. S. Schilhab Class of 2021
More from Schilhab
“Kassel is a sprawling, multi-faceted city, with beautiful parks perfect for a stroll, and plenty of art and cultural museums, including The Herkules Monument, and Lowenburg Castle. In January I began as an intern at Uni Kassel for their International Winter University, or IWU. As the program's intern, I would normally be tasked with joining the foreign students in the culture group in the classroom, however due to Colgate's fantastic German program, I was the first-ever IWU intern who spoke German. This led to me working both within a classroom setting, and running errands in the city, traveling with the students to other locations. During this time, I was also able to find a job. Through Uni Kassel I began working as an English tutor where I helped a woman preparing for a conference trip to Japan. While I was the teacher in this situation, I learned a lot about how different languages can intersect, and the diverse opportunities available to me as a multilingual student abroad. I found my time in Kassel rewarding, as I experienced a mix of language, culture, and independence as I navigated every-day life in Germany.”