Without donations of our Foundation, students would be not able to experience the German culture and learn the language in a real environment. The Foundation supports the connection between parents, students, teachers AND business in the greater Charlotte area. The fact is, that there is a disconnect between education and business, and the Foundation helps to “bridge the gap”. The Foundation had and will support (amongst others) the following programs:
- Mentoring by the sponsoring representatives of students of UNCC, CPCC and other institutions and offer valuable ‘business advice’ to those who are about to enter the job market and pursue work in international fields.
- Support of students, pursuing an internship in Germany for being prepared for the US global job market
- Support in fostering the apprenticeship programs in the greater Charlotte area by providing funds for ‘Study and Work Abroad’ projects. The students learn and work first-hand side by side with their peers in Germany, Switzerland or Austria, and experience the origins of the program.
- Support of the International Summer Program of the University of Kassel, where students of the UNCC Engineering program are going to Kassel, joining (amongst others) engineering and Nano physic classes.
- Support hands-on learning occurring in a “science project,” which should include their German language skills, and it is about gaining knowledge of engineering and the energy industry.
- Fostering the Exchange program between Universities of North Carolinas and the State of Baden – Württemberg while coordinating internships of German Students in the greater Charlotte area.
- High School students Exchange Programs, which has been supported by our Foundation for funding their trip to Germany as well as their preparation by buying updated German books for their classroom.
It is the truth that those opportunities supported by the Foundation leads to employment as there are numerous students who could get a job at international companies in the Charlotte area, BECAUSE of their knowledge of the German language, but more important, the German social and business Culture.
We really see great value in providing support not just only financially but also in-kind to the current generation who is just in the process to make a decision to go to a college, join an apprenticeship program or enter the job market with an associate degree, an apprenticeship certificate from the DNCDOL or graduate from a college. Their knowledge of another language does not just bring extra money on top of a regular salary, it first opens the door for an international employer in a global market. As the world is opening up for global trade and other international relations, international thinking, open minded employees are need in today’s workforce. And this global workforce with a unique skills set will also attract more international, respective European companies to come to the Carolinas, invest in the Carolinas and stay in the Carolinas.
And that’s what our German Language and Culture Foundation also can contribute: Education to Employment!
Also, students who are able to participate in those international and global programs, because of the Foundation, will never forget and changes their life forever: this provides our students with ample opportunities to improve their German language skills, and enjoy cultural challenges. We do believe that every young American returning from their visit in Germany will be a potential transatlantic ambassador and a promoter of German-American friendship. Talking to students upon their return from Germany is always an impressive testimony that this trip truly deepened and further developed their knowledge of the German Culture and Language. Please check out our webpage www.germanfoundation.com for testimonies and other great information!
And there is one of our most recent examples for this: Two of our most recent UNCC recipients of our German Language and Culture Foundation scholarship, Anna Schaeffer and Max Hartenstein, had a great opportunity: due to their knowledge and skills, especially their fluency in German, they received a scholarship from Duke Energy to study abroad in Germany at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT). Duke Energy generously provided funding to support outstanding engineering students who have demonstrated a commitment to energy academic research. Max and Anna were the first students joining the KIT program under the collaboration agreement between EPIC @ UNCC and KIT. We are proud of our students!
As mentioned above, we also support programs where young students will see international best practices at work and gain a deeper understanding of the work conditions, which also includes the dual educational or vocational training on different levels. This will provide a good basis for being a good citizen and valuable, international oriented employee for the companies in the greater Charlotte area.
The German speaking business community, with the support of American business partners, promoted these and similar projects in an effort to attract investments from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, while providing career opportunities to German speaking students with the over 200 US subsidiaries from German speaking countries in the Charlotte Region.