Welcoming our Spring Students!

On Saturday, we said “Willkommen!” to our new Spring Semester students. We are excited to have you here in Bremen!

(In the photos, you can see -from the left- our students Noah, Riley, and Gabe, Dickinson-in-Bremen alumnus Mac, student mentor Sophie, student Grear, and academic director Dr. Janine Ludwig.)

“It was an unforgettable experience” – Vasilisa’s year in Bremen

Vasilisa Pallis was part of the Dickinson-in-Bremen program for the academic year of 2022-23. Not only did she study in Bremen but she also volunteered for the German Red Cross as a translator for Ukrainian refugees, led a language café for Ukrainian students, and volunteered for the Special Olympics in Bremen.

About her year in Bremen Vasilisa says: “All in all, it was an unforgettable experience that I’m very grateful for.”

Read her full report here: https://www.dickinson.edu/news/article/5597/the_language_of_giving_back

Christmas Markets in Bremen

The holidays are approaching… And beautiful Bremen does not have just one, not two, but several Christmas markets, for instance:

At the market place.

At the river promenade.

At the train station, welcoming you to to the city.

See a video by Deutsche Welle (German wave) here.

Here are some impressions of what it looks like in Bremen right now:

All sources: BTZ

Source: bremen-city.de

 

Unesco awards Bremen the title of “City of Literature” (Stadt der Literatur)

The Unesco has included Bremen in the network of “Creative Cities”. Alongside Bremen, six other German cities are part of this network, each recognized for their contributions to contemporary art and culture. Congratulations, Bremen! 📚🌟 #Culture #Literature #Unesco #Bremen

If you are interested in finding out more, click here to read the article.

Our New Scholarship Flyer is Here!

Attention Bremen students! Our new scholarship flyer for the academic year 2024/2025 has arrived. You can find all necessary information about our scholarship program between the University of Bremen and Dickinson College on the flyer.

We are looking forward to your application!

Should you like to have more information, you can come visit us during our office hours on Wednesdays, 11-12 (Uni Bremen Sportturm, C5200) or schedule an appointment with us.

Stay Abroad at Dickinson College – Article in University of Bremen Magazine

Student Viviana Ulloa de la Torre, Samantha Brandauer (Associate Provost and Executive Director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement), President Jutta Günther of the University of Bremen, Director of the International Office Marejke Baethge-Assenkamp, student Antonia Gabler, and student Sophie Schöling (from left).
© Dickinson College

This online article explores the delightful experiences of three German students at Dickinson College. Antonia Gabler, Viviana Ulloa de la Torre, and Sophie Schöling share their initial impressions of Dickinson College and why they chose to embark on a study abroad journey as OSA’s (overseas student assistants). If you are keen on finding out more, feel free to click on the link below.

https://up2date.uni-bremen.de/en/article/stay-abroad-at-dickinson-college

Experience Bremen at Home

View of the Market Square

Sunset at the Schlachte

“Would you like to discover the most beautiful corners of Bremen from home, visit our parlour from your couch or take a stroll through the winding Schnoor? Would you like to take a virtual tour of the museums and knowledge worlds or sail on the Weser?”

Famous Schnoor quarter

If so, then you should definitely take a look at the Visit Bremen website. There you will find lots of amazing videos, information, 360-degree tours of Bremen, as well a guided visit of the City Center. Pierre will take you on a tour of the Marktplatz square – known as Bremen’s ‘Gute Stube’ or ‘drawing room’. But what else can be found at the historic marketplace? Get ready for some surprises!

Further information can be found here: https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/bremen-at-home

And here: https://www.bremen.eu/tourism

Kathryn Baker’s Reflections on Studying Abroad in Bremen

by Kathryn Baker ’23

I studied abroad in Bremen for the full year. In that year I had some of the best times of my life and some challenging times. When I visited Munich back in 2016, I thought it was an amazing city and wanted to go to Germany again. In my first semester at Dickinson I started with German 101. When I found out there was a study abroad program in Germany, I told myself I must go. I had never even heard of the city of Bremen until I learned about the Dickinson in Bremen program. Fast forward 2 years later and I’m flying to Bremen! I struggled at first with all of the cultural differences, and I had a hard time figuring out how to work German household appliances (I may have broken the toaster). But after living in Bremen for a few months, I figured it all out. In my free time I explored every part of Bremen, and I fell in love with the city. I lived with 7 other students in a Wohngemeinschaft (WG), close to the most beautiful park in Bremen, the Bürgerpark. The majority of the students I lived with were German so I practiced my German with them and tried to understand what they were saying when they spoke fast. My flatmates and I became really good friends, and we went out together in Bremen many times. One of my flatmates even came along with my boyfriend and me to take pictures when he proposed! Some of my favorite memories include going to the Bremen Weihnachtsmarkt with my flatmates, visiting Köln with other Dickinson students, getting engaged in the Bürgerpark, going to my first pride parade in Bremerhaven, and staying with one of my German friends in Berlin for Berlin pride! I have so many funny and amazing stories ranging from getting stranded in Belgium, to clubbing in La Viva in Bremen. One of the challenges I struggled with was all of my classes being in German. The first semester of classes were especially difficult for me, but the longer I lived in Germany and the more I spoke German with my flatmates, the easier it got. The second semester of classes at Uni Bremen was much more fun since I could understand better. Despite the difficulties I had during my study abroad, I would say this was the best experience of my life. I loved Bremen so much that I am applying for EU citizenship now so I can move back to Bremen in a few years.

Webinar: Putin – The Engima by Professor Janine Ludwig

“Who is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the president of the Russian Federation who is waging a war against Ukraine — and, as he claims, against the “collective West”? Why is he doing all of this?”

Professor Janine Ludwig, academic director of the Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program, will discuss these topics in the free Webinar ”Putin – The Enigma“ on Tuesday, September 26 at 12pm EDT (6pm CEST).

You may find more information and the chance to register for free (until September 24) here: https://our.dickinson.edu/24aewebinarputin

📸 https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/fokusfotografie-der-weissen-maske-2375034/

Memorable Experiences: Volunteering and Cultural Engagement in Bremen

by Vasilisa Pallis ’24

During my study abroad year in Bremen I was incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to not only study in a German University and learn so much, but also volunteer. Before coming to Germany, I feared I wouldn’t get the opportunity to use my Russian as much, since I am a double major in German and Russian. But I was happily surprised when I was able to not only take classes with Russian content but also volunteer with Ukrainian refugees at the “Nachbarschaftshaus Helene Kaisen”, an open space for events, social facilities, and recreational areas in Bremen.

Glance at American Delegation at Special Olympics in Bremen.

There are numerous opportunities within this cultural center for Ukrainian children and teenagers to participate in different activities, such as learning English, and German, or simply having a place to go to after school. There I started a “Sprachcafé” (a language café) for Ukrainian teenagers, to practice their language skills. It was an incredible experience to get to meet such brave young students who have gone through such a horrifying experience and get to simply speak with them and get to know them. I loved having a chance to use my Russian as well as German, it was so cool to be able to speak almost three different languages at the same time. I am so grateful to have had this memorable and fulfilling opportunity.

American Delegation being interviewed in the city center of Bremen.

 

In addition to my help with Ukrainian refugees, I also had the opportunity to help with Special Olympics Bremen. It was amazing to get to help during the Host Town Program when the US delegation came to Bremen before heading off to the Special Olympics in Berlin. I loved meeting the different athletes, making them feel comfortable, showing them around Bremen, and helping with their training before the Olympics. All in all, I am extremely grateful to have experienced my year in Bremen and to have helped in any way I could while in Bremen. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am proud to say I have enjoyed and learned so much from it.