Students from Mühlhausen visit Leipzig

Last winter, DAIS organized a school project in collaboration with Katrin Stedefeld’s twelfth grade English class at the Evangelisches Schulzentrum in Mühlhausen, Thüringen. The project was aligned with the thematic focus of The Atlantic Hour podcast’s series on German-American emigration, and the project’s aim was to explore how stories of movement, change, and belonging permeate migration as a shared human experience. The students were tasked with interviewing and profiling a member of their community about their perspectives on immigration, providing a space for mutual understanding while also promoting English literacy practices.

Students from Mühlhausen, DAIS’ Erica Larson Bautze, and Consul General Ken Toko.

On March 8th, the class had the opportunity to visit Leipzig and present their project to the U.S. Consul General Ken Toko. The visit began with an overview on Toko’s life as a diplomat, his insights on critical transatlantic issues, and the Consulate’s work in central Germany. Following this input, the students shared their narrative profile projects, which sparked a stimulating discussion on immigration in Germany and the integration of immigrants in Mülhausen. 

Students presented their projects to the Consul General.

After the Consulate session, the students had lunch at the DAIS office, where executive director Eric Fraunholz explained the unique work of DAIS in the region. The students had the chance to reflect on their visit to the Consulate and on their participation in the project as a whole. The class trip concluded with a tour of the university campus. 

DAIS Executive Director Eric Fraunholz talks about the German-American Institutes and DAIS’ special role in Eastern Germany.

Overall, the class trip and the discussions that followed were eye-opening and thought-provoking for both the students and the DAIS team. The visit to the U.S. Consulate provided students with a unique platform to present their work and discuss critical transatlantic issues, and the students gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants in Germany today.