Today’s Coffee Connection is my DAAD colleague John Paul Kleiner who is responsible for our Canada office in Toronto and who is also a historian with a special interest in the GDR.
John Paul is the creator of the blog GDR Objectified where he presents his collection of objects produced in, or related closely to, the German Democratic Republic (GDR)with the aim of providing a window into East German history in a historical and/or personal way.  John Paul has a unique point of view as a Canadian historian who personally experienced Germany before, during and after the fall of the Wall. 
I was born in East Berlin and was only 7 years old when the Wall came down. In this episode we talk about our experiences with the GDR from our unique viewpoints . 
We talked about his blog, GDR movies, cultural artifacts and East Berlin architecture. Our conversation led to the Palace of the Republic, as an example of the challenges of reunification and how Ostalgie fits into the negotiation of the past and present. 

Links:
DAAD Canada www.daad-canada.ca
GDR Objectified blog https://gdrobjectified.wordpress.com/ 
Kanopy (free streaming through public library) https://www.kanopy.com/

E27 - GDR Objectified  | 2 Perspectives Pre and Post 1989

Zachary Nanji is currently a Senior Honours International Development and Management Student at McGill University in Canada. Originally from the UK, he started learning German at Eaton College and visited Munich and Bonn via a school exchange that planted the seed for a 6-month stay at the Ludwig Maximilan University of Munich during the 2019 academic year. As a DAAD Young Ambassador, he shares his passion for international travel and offers insightful best practices to get the most out of an international university exchange. In 2021 he was nominated by DAAD to participate at the Diversity Abroad Global Student Leadership Summit where he got to reflect further on his experience and further develop skills related to global diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

You can find Zachary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynanji/

E28 - Reflections on exchanges and best practices from a DAAD Young Ambassador

Today’s Coffee Connection is a musical episode. I chatted with Felicitas Schiffner, a current DAAD scholarship recipient, and a German violinist. 
Felicitas is originally from Luebeck and is now a Master’s student at the New England Conservatory in Boston. She shared her path from playing a tiny violin as a four-year-old to being accepted at Julliard to studying in Boston.
Felicitas talks about her love of classical music, and she shares two of her beautiful performances.

E29 - DAAD Scholarship Recipient Felicitas Schiffner | Violinist

To commemorate Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, I had the honor of speaking with Evelyn Lueker, a 3rd generation Holocaust survivor, about her family’s history and the important role her grandparents played in the Nuremberg trials.

Now, Evelyn works as an international educator in the US where her personal story and professional career intersect. 

A disclaimer: We recorded this episode in 2020, so you will hear some references that are not as recent. The overall conversation though is as relevant today as it was then.

E30 - To Honor Holocaust Remembrance Day: A Conversation with a 3rd Generation Holocaust Survivor

Today’s Coffee Connection is another musical episode. I chatted with Alexander Liebermann, a current DAAD scholarship recipient, and a German-French composer. 
Alexander is originally from Berlin and is now at the Manhattan School of Music where he pursues a doctoral degree. He shares three of his recent pieces that show his talent as a composer. 

You can find Alexander on Soundcloud, Youtube and Instagram.

E31 - DAAD Scholarship Recipient Alexander Liebermann  | Composer

Today’s Coffee Connection is another musical episode. I chatted with Martina Barta, a current DAAD scholarship recipient, and Jazz Singer. 
Martina is originally from the Czech Republic and is now at the Manhattan School of Music where she pursues a master’s degree. We talked about her career path, her impressions of New York and her goals as an artist.

Facebook:
Artist profile:
https://www.facebook.com/martinabarta.official
Personal profile:
https://www.facebook.com/martinabarta

Instagram: 
martinabartamusic

YouTube:
Martina Barta
https://youtube.com/user/MrsBartas

E32 - DAAD Scholarship Recipient Martina Barta | Jazz Singer

Today’s Coffee Connection is a new format, 3 short interviews in one episode. Every year, DAAD selects students from the US and Canada to share their Germany experience with their peers on their respective campuses. In August, DAAD invites the new Young Ambassadors for a training in New York. I had the opportunity to sit down with 3 Young Ambassadors, Anna Holle, Cameron Morgan, and Avalon Pernell.
The answers each Young Ambassador gave were quite different, but they all had one thing in common: Their enthusiasm and love for Germany.

E33 - DAAD Young Ambassadors and their Germany experience | part 1

Today’s Coffee Connection is the second episode of a new format, 3 short interviews in one episode. Every year, DAAD selects students from the US and Canada to share their Germany experiences with their peers on their respective campuses. In August, DAAD invited the new Young Ambassadors for training in New York. I had the opportunity to sit down with 3 Young Ambassadors, Emily Hawkins, Ian Albreski, and Madison Schimizu.
The answers each Young Ambassador gave were quite different, but they all had one thing in common: Their enthusiasm and love for Germany.

E34 - DAAD Young Ambassadors and their Germany experience | part 2

Today’s Coffee Connection is another musical episode. I chatted with oboist Ann Lemke, a DAAD Alumna and current Research Ambassador, who recently released her CD Oboe Salon. 

You can find Ann on her website www.lemkestudio.com/ann-lemke, on Facebook and Instagram @lemkestudio.

E35 - DAAD Research Ambassador Ann Lemke | Oboist

In today’s Coffee Connection I had the chance to speak with one of our 2023-24 Young Ambassadors, Meg Takezawa, a chemistry major at the University of Washington, who participated in the DAAD RISE program.
Meg shares her experience as a RISE intern, how she found out about the program, what the application was like, and shares some tips and best practices to apply successfully. She describes in detail her day-to-day experience in and outside the lab. One sentence stood out “the RISE internship changed my life!”

You can find her and the other YA’s info on our www.daad.org website. Check out our DAAD USA Instagram account where we regularly have student takeovers from our Young Ambassadors, Gilman-DAAD and RISE alumni, who share their Germany experience.

All content is created and edited by me, Hanni Geist. If you would like to get in touch, send an email to geist@daad.de.

E36 - DAAD RISE Program | What to Expect | How to Apply with Meg Takezawa

A few weeks ago, I went to the Society for Women Engineers conference in Los Angeles to represent Research in Germany. One day RISE alumna and Industrial Engineer, Alaina Washington came to the booth and shared a bit about her experience at the Hamburg University of Technology.
In this short episode Alaina’ describes the application process, and her work as an intern. She also shares more about her time outside the lab. Have a listen to hear her excitement about the time in Germany and her experience with DAAD Research Internship in Science and Engineering.

E37 - Mini Episode live from SWE23 | DAAD RISE Student Experience

In today’s Coffee Connection I had the chance to speak with one of our dedicated Young Ambassadors, Paige Lyles, a Civil Engineer at UC Berkeley.
Paige spent last summer as a research intern at the Hochschule München with DAAD RISE (Research Internship in Science and Engineering) focusing her research on 3D printing of concrete. 
Paige shares her experience as a RISE intern, how she found out about the program, what the application was like, and she shares some tips and best practices to successfully apply. 
Paige summarizes her experience: “whatever your experience is, you won’t regret it.” She says it will help you grow as a human for your next opportunities and the next chapter of your life.

All content is created and edited by me, Hanni Geist. If you would like to get in touch, send an email to geist@daad.de.

E39 - DAAD RISE Internship | What to Expect | How to Apply with Paige Lyles

Today’s Coffee Connection is another musical episode. I chatted with composer Philipp Kaspar, a DAAD alumnus and recent NYU graduate.

Philipp is originally from Germany and now works in the music industry in New York. We chatted about his musical path and how New York played a big role in what he does today. My highlights of our conversation were hearing about the reading parties he plays at and learning about contemporary German music.

If you are in New York, keep an eye out for Philipp’s performances.

Relevant links
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hdlsna9Z2wKwBbYaWDR8d?si=fcr_l0anSrSkFequ1Ka8qQ

https://hmc.chartmetric.com/deutschrap-german-hip-hop-rappers/

Philipp's projects:
- @emonightbrooklyn
- @gimmegimmedisco
- @readingrhythms

E40- DAAD Scholarship Recipient Philipp Kaspar | Composer

In this special episode of Coffee Connections, my conversations revolve around career advancement and the sense of belonging within one's professional journey. My fellow members of the 2023-24 Diversity Abroad Communities of Practice: Career Advancement and Belonging Claudio Castenada, Gabrielle Cascio, Emma Freese, Tiffany Komon, Sherene Awong, and Stephanie Ramin share their experiences and insights on how they entered the field, the steps they took to advance, and the importance of transferrable skills. They also talk about what they love about their work. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step, this episode offers valuable advice and personal stories.

E41 - Career Advancement and Belonging | 6 Interviews with Professionals in International Education

In this special episode of Coffee Connections, my conversations revolve around career advancement and the sense of belonging within one's professional journey. Thanks to Peter Kerrigan, Andreas Mai, Katja Simons, Nicole Saverschek and Stephen Sechrist, who share their experiences, and insights on how they entered the field, the steps they took to advance, and the importance of transferrable skills. Whether you're just starting or looking to take the next step in your professional career, or you are just curious about other experiences from professionals in the field of International Education, this episode offers valuable advice and personal stories. Have a listen!

E42 - Career Advancement and Belonging | 5 Interviews with Professionals in International Education

In this episode, I share 11 more interviews from the NAFSA conference in May for my special project as part of the 2023-24 Diversity Abroad Communities of Practice: Career Advancement and Belonging. My conversations revolve around career advancement and the sense of belonging within one's professional journey.

A big thank you to my interviewees for sharing their stories during a very busy conference week, oftentimes in crowded, loud spaces: Alyssa Slager (1:36) Anna Hayes (7:25) Sally McLeod (12:22) Travis Pentz (16:10) Ximena Ospina (23:26)  Kate Campbell (31:35) Lee Rivers (35:00) Lindsay Calvert (41:50) Katherine Haan (46:15) Mar Roig Ripoll (55:48) Tiff Pierskalla (1:06:13).

E43 - Career Advancement and Belonging | 11 Interviews with Professionals in International Education

This week:
I spoke with 3 RISE alumnae who share their experiences and best practices on how to apply.
I spoke with:
Elizabeth: interned at Munich University of Applied Sciences and researched on 3-d printing with concrete project
Nandana: interned at the Hochschule Kaiserslautern and worked on an advanced usability and gamification project
And Lauryn went to Freiberg and studied iron oxide catalysts for the catalytic converters for the oxidation of methane gas.

E44 - Live from SWE24 I 3 RISE Alumnae share their experience

--- Transcript at www.daad.org/en/about-us/who-we-are/podcast/ ---
This episode features Russell Berman, a DAAD alumnus, shared his experiences of receiving DAAD funding twice: a post-BA year in Munich in 1972 and a dissertation fellowship from 1977 to 1979. These scholarships significantly influenced his career, steering him towards German Studies. His dissertation focused on literary criticism in the mass press from the late 19th to early 20th century. Berman emphasized the transformative impact of studying abroad, advising young scholars to consider turning their post-BA year into an MA for career advancement. He highlighted the importance of international exchange for gaining diverse perspectives and building networks.

E45 – 100 Years DAAD | A conversation with Russell Berman I Dissertation Fellowship

Find the transcript on DAAD.org - Podcast

Since 1925, DAAD has supported around three million students and academics from Germany, Europe, and worldwide. 

In this episode, I feature Henry Thompson, an associate professor of Political Science at Arizona State University who received DAAD not once, but four times.
Henry received a Semester Scholarship, followed by 2 Graduate Scholarships and a Summer Fellowship.

For more, have a listen!

E46 – 100 Years DAAD | A conversation with Henry Thomson I Scholarship and Fellowships

Today’s Coffee Connection is another musical episode. I chatted with Ngoc Vu, DAAD Music Scholarship Alumnus. He has won several national and international piano competitions over the years.  
Ngoc debuted in Semperoper Hall in Dresden when he turned 15, and he played at Carnegie Hall during the annual DAAD Sound Understanding Concert. 
   
Ngoc is originally from Dresden, Germany. What started as a mere coincidence turned into a successful career as a pianist. 
After graduating with an artist diploma from the University of Southern California 2018, he moved to Miami, FL. Recently, he finished his Artist Diploma in Piano Performance at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear several pieces he enjoys playing.

E47 – 100 Years DAAD | A conversation with Ngoc Vu I Pianist

Check the podcast page on daad.org for a transcript of this episode.

In this episode, I talk to representatives from 10 German universities, as well as a representative of the alliance of 9 Technical Universities in Germany. We discussed the attractiveness of German universities for international students, highlighting the quality, affordability, and diversity of educational opportunities. Each representative shared details about their region and why their university is attractive to international students. 

Please note that the selection you will hear in this episode is coincidental and is based on availability and the right setting at the conference. Universities in this episode:

RWTH Aachen 2:42
Justus Liebig University 7:07
Technical University Mittelhessen 10:27
TU9 Alliance of Technical Universities 17:06
Technical University Dresden 24:04
University of Rostock 31:08
Leibniz Universität Hannover 33:17
University of Bonn 44:44
University of Cologne 49:34
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich 1:02:00

E47- 100 Years DAAD | Conversations with German University Representatives

In this episode, I spoke with Diplomat Oliver Schramm, Consulate General of Germany San Francisco, from 2021 - 2025. Have a listen!

E48- 100 Years DAAD | Conversation with Diplomat Oliver Schramm

In this episode, I speak with Aarish Lakhani, DAAD RISE professional alumnus.

RISE professional offers summer research internships in Germany to master's and PhD students at companies in non-university research institutions with strong relations to industry. Aarish is a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Illinois, and he participated in the program last year. Aarish shares his experience with the program at Fraunhofer Institute in Bremerhaven, working on wind energy projects, creating a deep learning model for wind turbine power production. He highlights the cultural differences between Germany and the US and the importance of learning German and the benefits of the RISE program for his career. He also emphasizes the value of persistence and the impact of international experience on future opportunities. On a personal note, he shares one of his favorite activities, walking the 40 minutes back home past blackberry bushes and filling his lunchbox with the fruits of late summer. 
Have a listen!

A transcript of this conversation is available on www.daad.org.

E49 - 100 Years DAAD | Conversation with RISE pro Alumnus Aarish Lakhani

Welcome to Coffee Connections, a podcast about studying, researching and traveling in Germany and the unique experiences told by students and researchers. 
This podcast is created, hosted and edited by me, Hanni Geist.
Have you studied or researched in Germany and want to share your story? Get in touch with me – podcast@daad.org.

Welcome to Coffee Connections!

Today’s episode highlights include 
•	a deep dive into Weimar beyond Goethe, Schiller and the Republic 
•	a discussion about Germany’s debate culture
•	advise on how to navigate German bureaucracy 
•	why you should visit the Baltic Sea and
•	what surprising food, beyond Currywurst and Döner, you should eat   
        in Berlin. 

Hanni's Coffee Connection today is Elizabeth Harrington Lambert, Director of Fellowships at the Meijer Office of Fellowships at Grand Valley State University and DAAD Research Ambassador since 2012.
You can get in touch with Elizabeth at elambert(at)daad-alumni.de.

E1 - Weimar I German Debate Culture I Bureaucracy I Vietnamese Food

Today’s episode highlights include: 
•	The German Jewish community in Germany today
•	Germany as a diverse country
•	Going to Germany as a researcher with a family
•	Navigating German bureaucracy AND
•	Travel highlight: Baltic Sea islands Rügen and Hiddensee, Bamberg, Berchtesgarden & parks in Berlin

Hanni's Coffee Connection today is Max Lazar, PhD student in the History Department at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and DAAD Research Ambassador since 2019.
You can get in touch with Max at maxlazar(at)live.unc.edu.

E2 - Jewish community I Diversity I Research w/ Family I Bureaucracy I Baltic Sea

Today’s episode highlights include 
•	Advice on applying successfully to a research grant
•	Information for young families
•	German directness in academia – and the benefits after the initial shock
•	American/German lost in translation
AND
•	And we have a travel recommendation: visit the Harz mountains for its local beer and witchcraft – and hear what’s to see in the town of Halbestadt.

You can get in touch with Jonathan Fine at Jonathan_Fine@brown.edu.

E5 - Funding Research I Escaping the Archive Bubble I Family I Lost in Translation

Today’s episode highlights include 
•	The CBYX program – tips for a meaningful, successful year and how to leverage the experience after
•	German friendships 101
•	Language learning during and after the abroad experience 
•	Engagement with refugees in Munich 
•	In this week’s travel suggestion, you hear why Munich is a must visit beyond Oktoberfest and the usual sights.

E15 - CBYX Experience & Career Opportunities I Advancing German I German Friendship 101

Today’s episode is a highlight in itself. Today’s Coffee Connection is Maxine Troglauer, DAAD Music Scholarship recipient,   Bass Trombonist and Master’s student at the Manhattan School of Music.
In our conversation, Maxine shared how she became first interest in the Trombone, we talked about her experience as a musician, the history of the Trombone, and different career opportunities. We also talked about being a women in a male dominated space, trends in classical music and how the current pandemic affects musicians. 

Find out more about Maxine at www.maxinetroglauer.net.

E18 - DAAD Music Scholarship Recipient Maxine Troglauer I Bass Trombone

Today’s Coffee Connection is Amy Lebanoff, DAAD RISE Germany and DAAD Young Ambassador Alumna.

Amy participated in the DAAD RISE Germany program – a paid 10-12 week summer research internship program for undergraduate STEM students. In our conversation, she talks about her experience as a research intern at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and her activities outside of the lab. For interested applicants, Amy shares detailed information about the application procedure and what applicants can do to stand out in the selection process.

You can connect with Amy via Amylebanoff@gmail.com.

E26 – DAAD RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) | What to Expect | How to Apply

I meet many students, researchers and other professionals during my travels representing the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). They come from diverse backgrounds, and their careers and fields of interest span a wide range of subjects, but they all love Germany. Our most memorable conversations happen during coffee breaks when I hear personal stories and learn about their unique experiences. I decided to share these coffee talks via a podcast, so that the work and experiences of our DAAD Ambassadors and other inspiring individuals with a German connection reach you, wherever you are. Happy listening!
 
This podcast is a side project to my daily work as the DAAD representative for the Western region of the United States. This podcast is created, hosted, and edited by me. Opinions voiced in interviews are my own. If you want to know more about the study, research, and funding opportunities in Germany, visit www.daad.org

Popular tracks by Coffee Connections