HAUSInternational communication in socialising as well as in discourse

After the celebration of the 15^th HAUS anniversary last fall, the activities of the American alumni continue: Around the turn of the year, alumni in the U.S. met for joint events virtually and on site, and U.S. exchange students were welcomed in Heidelberg as alumnae and alumni.

In December, HAUS organized another “Virtual Kaffeeklatsch” – this virtual event format, born during the pandemic, was so successful and uncomplicated that it has established itself as a regular online event that anyone can attend, regardless of where they live. In addition to this virtual meeting, there was also an Advent meeting on site: On 17 December, the HAUS Chicago Regional Chapter hosted a joint visit to the "Chicago Christkindlmarket", which is inspired by the Nuremberg Christmas Market. Over mulled wine, Heidelberg alumni shared memories of vacations in Heidelberg and Christmas traditions from their home countries.

"Ring in the New Year with German University Alumni in San Francisco!" was the motto in January: the German Consulate General San Francisco and the German House for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco hosted the sixth New Year's reception for alumni and alumnae of German research institutions and universities. The Heidelberg alumni were represented by Shelley King-McGee and Therese Iknoian. Another New Year's reception for Heidelberg alumni was held in New York at the end of February: this time, the German Consul General in New York, David Gill, together with the Liaison Office of German Universities in the USA, hosted a New Year's reception at the Consul's Residence. Seven alumnae and alumni were able to attend on behalf of HAUS. 

Potential new HAUS members were invited to a university networking event at the Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA) in Heidelberg at the beginning of February: Elisabeth Trnka from the Division of International Relations, who advises and supports American and German exchange students as the exchange coordinator for the U.S., hosted the event. She welcomed current Heidelberg students from the U.S. as well as a large number of German students who will be going on exchange to the U.S. in the fall or who have already been there – everyone was able to exchange information and give each other tips on living and studying at the respective universities. This was a good opportunity for HAI to inform both American and German students about the HAI network and to present its services for students, especially in personal conversations!

In March, a group from Heidelberg Law NMUN e.V. visited the National Model United Nations Conference in New York. The non-profit association of students from the Faculty of Law at Heidelberg University, which aims to promote international understanding among young people, particularly in the context of legal and political discourse, and thus counteract prejudices and misunderstandings, regularly takes part in the annual conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Despite a busy schedule, the students were able to spend an evening with the HAUS Regional Chapter New York. In the offices of the American Council on Germany, Heidelberg alumni Dr Peter Mayer, Dr Christiane Rosenbaum and Dr Steven Sokol spoke in a small group about their experiences with legal and non-profit careers in the U.S. and Germany. Afterwards, students and panelists met with a larger group of HAUS members and friends to network over drinks and snacks.

The eighth „Virtual Kaffeeklatsch“ also took place in March under the motto "Networking and Selfcare with Sonja Kirschner". Sonja Kirschner, Heidelberg alumna and founder of "double human", is a professional coach for managers, couples and individuals. Under her guidance, the participants not only opened up new perspectives, they also found ideas and answers to better master challenges and difficult decisions. As an exercise to put what they had learned into practice, the group used an assignment from Hal Gregerson, lecturer in leadership and innovation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): together they identified and solved exemplary challenges and realized that questions are the real key in the search for answers, because in order to find the right answers, you first have to formulate the right questions. With this kind of approach, for which you have to take your time, it is easier to find targeted solutions – an important insight from this "Virtual Kaffeeklatsch".