German Brochure Information - text

Our Program

Ours is one of only two nationwide to be recognized in 2013 as a “National Center of Excellence” by the American Association of Teachers of German, the governing body for German instructors at all levels, and is so far the only undergraduate program at a public university in the United States with this designation. 

Our courses are taught by well-trained, experienced, innovative, and dedicated educators. You can choose from a wide range of courses in language, literature, culture, drama, film, and linguistics.

 

Four professors stand outside in front of green bushes.

From left to right: Sandra Alfers, Shannon Dubenion-Smith, Petra S. Fiero, Cornelius Partsch
Photo courtesy of Sean Dwyer 

Student Voices

Carla Widman

CArly leaning over a bridge wearing a bright red scarf

“My Western experience was greatly heightened by my decision to study German. Not only were the professors highly qualified, but they also taught with inspirational enthusiasm and methods which were motivating and enjoyable. They were concerned for both my language abilities and my personal development and were always accessible. I have no doubt that this degree will help me succeed in my further education and future career.”

Julia Matschukat

Julia wearing a pink sweater and glasses, smiles outside

“As an incoming freshman, I had no intent on seriously studying German - my main focus was the Arts. After my first German course at Western, my heart changed. This was due to the excellence of the professors in the department, their genuine concern for their students’ well-being and academic success, and an indisputable passion for teaching.”

Andrew Erickson-Lapidus

Andrew wearing a grey hat and loaded with a a backpack walks on campus

“The student centered support of the German Faculty at Western does not end in the classroom! The professors support and advise students on opportunities to study abroad, scholarships, and work opportunities. Their help culminated in my receiving a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship this year!”

Valeria Fisher

Valeria smiles backlit with sunshine. Her blonde hair glows in the evening light.

“Whether raising money and walking together for Relay4Life, teaching underprivileged youths German at “Compass2Campus” events, weekly Stammtisch dinners, creating a soccer team, attending a Rammstein concert, theater-nights, or even dancing together at the “German Rocks!” event through Radio Goethe, one thing is certain: our department never has a dull moment, and is accepting of all.”

A German church with a soaring spire poking into the blue sky.
A train descends the track with a huge mountain covered in snow towering behind it.

Importance of German in Europe and the world

German is an official language in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland and is the most commonly spoken native language in the European Union with 100 million native speakers.

Germany is the United States’ biggest European trading partner, and the German language is the second most commonly used business language in the world.

Germany is a world leader in the arts, business, engineering, environmental studies, the natural sciences, and solar energy technology.

Local and Global advantage

Students who study German learn important communicative and problem-solving skills while improving their chances on the job market. Western’s German majors and minors have successfully entered graduate school and obtained attractive positions in a wide variety of fields. 

  • the arts 
  • (international) business 
  • communication technologies 
  • education 
  • engineering
  • environmental studies 
  • finance 
  • journalism
  • law 
  • national security 
  • politics 
  • psychology
  • publishing
  • science
  • tourism

German opens up doors to further employment and study opportunities

Our alumni have used their German major or minor in their careers or in graduate school. Here is a sample of careers and degree programs that our students have pursued nationally and internationally:

  • Account Development Manager at Limelight Networks, Seattle, WA 
  • Senior Analyst, Business Operations at T-Mobile, Seattle, WA 
  • Senior Project Manager, German Language Services, Seattle, WA
  • Global Project Manager for PTI Global, Portland, OR 
  • Teaching Assistant at the German American School in Portland
  • Washington State German Teacher
  • Forestry and Tourism
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Graduate studies in various fields (e.g. computational engineering, Germanic literature and language, international studies, political science)

German opens up doors to competitive grants

German major Olivia Hale, stands outside, smiling in front of sunlit dappled greenery.
German major Olivia Hale,
recipient of a 2016-2017
Fulbright English Teaching
Assistantship in Germany.

Knowledge of the German language and culture will open doors for students to apply for scholarships and grants, such as those from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service) or the Ingrid Stahlbrand Kassler Scholarship.

Since 2009, 24 students have won 17 nationally and internationally competitive scholarships for studying, teaching, and working in German-speaking countries, including the following:

  • Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young 
  • Professionals (CBYX)
  • Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships
  • German Academic Exchange Service Graduate Scholarships
  • German Academic Exchange Service RISE (Research Internship in Science and Engineering)
  • German Academic Exchange Service University 
  • Summer Grant
  • German Academic Exchange Service Bundestag Internship
  • The Ingrid Stahlbrand Kassler Memorialship, in honor of long-time German educator  Ingrid Stahlbrand Kassler 

Study Abroad

Gain a global perspective through study abroad! Western has study abroad programs to numerous Austrian, German, and Swiss universities as well as direct exchanges with the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, and Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz. You may enroll at the host university for a semester or whole academic year and will receive credit toward your German major or minor. For more information, please visit our website and contact our current German Study Abroad Advisor and/or the Program Coordinator Dan Lindeman.

A graduate in cap and gown stands on a grassy lawn with another person

Danil Vishniakov, the German program’s outstanding graduating senior in 2016, with German student Ali Aboosaidi at graduation 

Extracurricular Activities

Our students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as the German Table (Stammtisch) at Rudy’s Pizzeria in downtown Bellingham and the German Club. The faculty also regularly organizes special events such as guest lectures and excursions. 

Recent highlights include lectures by journalist Erik Kirschbaum on the German-American experience and presentations by Microsoft employee Bernhard Kohlmeier on the advantages of having a foreign language degree in the business world. 

Contact Information

Sandra Alfers, sandra.alfers@wwu.edu

Shannon Dubenion-Smith,
shannon.dubenion-smith@wwu.edu

Petra S. Fiero, petra.fiero@wwu.edu

Cornelius Partsch, cornelius.partsch@wwu.edu

Julie Winter, julie.winter@wwu.edu