Inga Poetzl, who directs the Baden-Württemberg exchange program at UConn, initiated a wonderful exchange-before-the-exhange initiative called “The Tandem Project.” We are reposting from Global Affairs (read the full post here) and from LinkedIn to share the experiences of students about to come to UConn from Germany.

What is the Tandem Project? – UConn student perspective
At its most basic level, Tandem connects university students from Connecticut and Baden-Württemberg for regular online conversation sessions. After an initial kick-off meeting, students get the opportunity to meet their partner(s) and make their first introductions. From there, the entire process is in the students’ hands to determine when and how often they want to meet. During sessions, students can discuss a variety of topics: cultural differences, tips for their eventual study abroad, or anything else in which they are interested. Speaking in both English and German is highly encouraged, as students can practice their language skills in preparation for their studies in the US or Germany. Tandem allows students to establish links with students from their guest universities without having ever stepped foot on campus. Therefore, students have the opportunity to exchange valuable “insider” information about their respective universities, regions, and countries in general. Structured in an informal and easygoing format, Tandem cultivates a forum whereby students improve their language skills, learn more about their partners’ lives, and prepare themselves for future intercultural experiences.

What is the Tandem Project? – Baden-Württemberg student perspective
The Tandem project at UConn was created in order to give German students that will study abroad at UConn the possibility to connect, learn and grow with students at UConn that are studying the German language, some of which are planning to also study in Germany. The general idea is to meet in pairs of two or three every once in a week and discussing various topics in German and English in order to give all participants the opportunity to deepen their language skills in German and English, respectively, through communicating with natives in that particular language. Furthermore, a cultural exchange can be made that is indispensable as preparation for living in the other countries. The German students have the unique possibility to ask questions about their guest university, UConn, which can in almost every instance be answered accurately. The regularly held online sessions thus equip the German students with important knowledge that helps them throughout their stay at UConn. More generally spoken, connecting with different cultures and learning about them is the best way to improve the overall intercultural understanding between countries and is contributing to a peaceful and free world.

🇩🇪 Hear Maike Hermle’s perspective on her experience as a participant of the Tandem project:

“As a future exchange student at the University of Connecticut, I was given the opportunity to participate in the tandem project of the University. Together with another German partner Rudi and Daniel, a student from #UConn, we phoned regularly for several months now as preparation for our study abroad. For me personally, our meetings turned out to be interesting, funny and mutually enriching discussions. We talked about culture and how stereotypes coincided with realty as well as American and European politics and how they are perceived and discussed in public. Since Daniel has already lived for a limited time in Germany, he could describe quite precisely many cultural differences and helped therefore to prepare for our intercultural experience in the USA. Rudi and I, in the opposite, were able to give our German perspective on discussions, which gave us a lot to laugh and showed that there is not always a unified German viewpoint. In total, I would say that I benefitted a lot from those discussions regarding the intercultural perspectives that I got in just several weeks by now.

“As a future exchange student at the University of Connecticut, I was given the opportunity to participate in the tandem project of the University. Together with another German partner Rudi and Daniel, a student from #UConn, we phoned regularly for several months now as preparation for our study abroad. For me personally, our meetings turned out to be interesting, funny and mutually enriching discussions. We talked about culture and how stereotypes coincided with realty as well as American and European politics and how they are perceived and discussed in public. Since Daniel has already lived for a limited time in Germany, he could describe quite precisely many cultural differences and helped therefore to prepare for our intercultural experience in the USA. Rudi and I, in the opposite, were able to give our German perspective on discussions, which gave us a lot to laugh and showed that there is not always a unified German viewpoint. In total, I would say that I benefitted a lot from those discussions regarding the intercultural perspectives that I got in just several weeks by now.

Secondly, we talked a lot about UConn in particular. Daniel gave us a great insight into the daily life at the University, for example details about what we need to know about the meal plan and the classes. This was a great opportunity to clarify all our questions and uncertainties by asking a student studying there. Additionally, we especially talked about free time at UConn, the huge choice of clubs, the people living there and different opportunities to travel and to visit the most beautiful places of the US east coast. These talks intensified my pleasant anticipation for my exchange year at UConn even more and I can’t wait to finally start it! All in all, the tandem program helped me a lot to make clear many uncertainties and gave me the opportunity to get to know two great people with interesting viewpoints and backgrounds who strengthened my wish to make my exchange year to begin as fast as possible.”

My Tandem Experience – UConn student perspective
“My name is Daniel Leaf, and I currently study political science and German at UConn. I first became involved with the Tandem project in Spring 2021, where I had the opportunity to speak with a student from the University of Konstanz in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where I eventually spent my entire 2021-22 school year. Having benefited from and enjoyed the experience of speaking with a German student, I re-registered for the Tandem project in January 2023. I knew that I would again have the chance to hone my German language skills and learn
more after my year abroad, but I could not have predicted the quality of my partners. Rudi and Maike have both contributed to an incredibly enjoyable and engaging experience. Despite having lived and studied in Germany for a year, I still had much to learn about Germans and German culture. Discussions with Rudi and Maike have bolstered my confidence in my German ability and expanded my knowledge of Germany, both of which are highly beneficial for anyone hoping to spend a significant amount of time there. Indeed, even though my studies abroad are complete, I plan on returning to Germany for an English teaching assistantship program. Further, speaking with Rudi and Maike has helped me expand my intercultural competence, which, in the professional and personal spheres, is invaluable. The highest praise goes out to my partners, Rudi and Maike, whose insight has already had a measurable impact on my life; my only regret is that I won’t be there at UConn to see them in the fall. If you’re a student preparing for your study abroad or simply looking to connect with students from the US and Germany, it would be a mistake not to join the Tandem project.”