From Ottawa to Germany: How Learning German Creates Opportunities

People may ask where learning a language like German can take them.  Well, this fall it’s taking Jordan Lipson (BA (Hons) in Language & Linguistics/26) to Stuttgart, Germany where she will be teaching in a local school as part of the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD).  The PAD program gives Carleton students the opportunity to gain international experience, develop professional skills, and immerse themselves in German culture while supporting English language learning in German schools.

Each year, German Studies Canada recruits English Language Assistants from Canada for placements all across Germany with participants receiving a monthly stipend of €1,000, insurance coverage, and (potentially) housing subsidies.  So, if you’re looking for a real-world reason to study German, this is one of them!  Carleton students who are interested should contact German Coordinator, Cristina Finger, for more details and start watching for promotional information in mid-February.  

Jordan is not the first Carleton student to participate in the PAD program.  In 2024/25, Stéphanie Cathcart (BA (High Distinction) in Psychology/24) traveled to Cuxhaven with the program, where she says that working in a German-speaking environment and interacting daily with young people was an enriching experience that:

• supported her development as a psychologist
• strengthened her intercultural communication skills 
• and gave her valuable insight into working with youth in an international setting. 

Cora Gardner (B.Econ. (Hons)/23) too participated in the program, spending the 2023/24 school year in Schleswig (a town of ~25,000 in northern Germany) where she worked as a foreign language assistant (Fremdsprachenassistentin).  Cora and Jordan met met in class and again during extracurricular German events organized by Frau Finger such as visits to the German Embassy and German Ambassador’s Residence. And, as she heads off on her Stuttgart adventure, Jordan has been fortunate to learn from Cora’s experiences!

So, whether your goal is to travel, work abroad, build international connections, or simply challenge yourself, learning German and participating in programs like the PAD can open doors to unexpected opportunities.  This was certainly the case for Cora and Stéphanie for whom a German language course at Carleton grew into an international adventure, lifelong friendships, and experiences that will continue to shape their futures for years to come.  For Jordan, the story is still being written and we look forward to hearing more about her experience when she returns!

Interested in participating?  You need to know that access is limited and requires that applicants:

• have at least completed GERM 2020 (A2 level)
• hold a first degree
• are native speakers of English
• are long-term residents of Canada 

Also, applications for Carleton students must be initiated through German language Coordinator, Frau Finger, who looks forward to hearing from you!  “Wer wird die Erfolgsgeschichte fortsetzen? Ich freue mich bereits darauf, die Bewerberinnen und Bewerber für das PAD-Programm 2027/28 zu begleiten,” she said.Who will continue the success story?