Dear HAUS Members and Friends of Heidelberg University,

Heidelberg Alumni U.S. (HAUS) cordially invites all former students, exchange students, graduates, researchers, professors, and other friends of Universität Heidelberg to participate in the virtual 16^th HAUS National Meeting from 

Friday, October 25 to Tuesday, October 29, 2024

We look forward to sharing an informative and fun-filled experience with you and are thrilled to present the program.

Day 1: Friday, Oct. 25 | Time: 24 Uhr MEZ, 6pm ET, 5pm CT, 4pm MT, 3pm PT (1.5hrs)

Opening 16th National Meeting | Kaffeeklatsch with Heidelberg Quiz

Hosts: Kathleen Lance, HAUS President; Katja Simons, Executive Director, Heidelberg University Association; Melanie Grossmann, Program Officer

Quiz Master: Martin Kley, Resident Director, American Junior Year (AJY)

Join us for the Opening of the 16th National Meeting and don’t miss the chance to participate in an exciting quiz that will put your Heidelberg knowledge to the test. We can’t wait to see you there and to kick off the National Meeting. Bring your beverage of choice to the event.

Day 2: Saturday, Oct. 26 | Time: 19 Uhr MEZ, 1pm ET, 12 noon CT, 11am MT, 10am PT (2hrs)

What’s New in Heidelberg? Greeting and Remarks

Rektorin Frauke Melchior

Silke Rodenberg, Director, Heidelberg Alumni International (HAI)

This is your chance to virtually meet Rektorin Melchior, hear about her goals, and receive the latest updates on international developments at Universität Heidelberg. You will also have an opportunity to engage with her and ask questions during the Q&A. The second part will feature Silke Rodenberg from HAI, who will report on alumni activities from a global perspective and on HAI’s special initiatives for all alumni. You can join us from your screen at home or perhaps from a watch party organized by your Regional Chapter.

Day 3: Sunday, Oct. 27 | Time: 5pm ET, 4pm CT, 3pm MT, 2pm PT (1hr)

Heidelberg City Tour

Our Tour Guide: Kristian Willenbacher, ServiceCenter at Universitätsplatz, Studierendenwerk Heidelberg

Join us for a virtual city tour from the comfort of your screen! Reminisce about your time in Heidelberg as you follow our wonderful guide through familiar places and rediscover the city's charm.

Hosts: Kathleen Lance, HAUS President; Katja Simons, Executive Director, Heidelberg University Association; Melanie Grossmann, Program Officer

Day 4: Monday, Oct. 28 | Time: 8pm ET, 7pm CT, 6pm MT, 5pm PT (1hr)

Swimming for Science - TenneSwim Film 

We will feature TenneSwim, a film about Heidelberg Alumnus Andreas Fath, chemistry professor and passionate long distance swimmer with a mission to raise awareness about water pollution. Andreas Fath swam the Rhein in 2014 and in 2017 he swam the Tennessee River to investigate how drug residues, heavy metals, plastic particles and other substances are polluting the river. He teamed up with Martin Knoll, professor of geology at The University of the South in Sewanee who will join us (tbc). 

Hosts: Kathleen Lance, HAUS President; Katja Simons, Executive Director, Heidelberg University Association; Melanie Grossmann, Program Officer

Day 5: Tuesday, Oct. 29 | Time: 8pm ET, 7pm CT, 6pm MT, 5pm PT (1.5hrs)

Changing our Perspective – an Evening full of Balance

Coaching session with Uni Heidelberg Alumna Sonja Kirschner, founder and coach at double human Coaching & Consulting

Many of you have already had the chance to meet Sonja. During the last three years she has coached us during Kaffeeklatsch and Annual Kick-Off Events towards enhanced self-care and fulfillment and has facilitated our exchange as a group of alumni/ae. During this upcoming session Sonja will help us form new perspectives when we tackle professional or personal challenges and guide us towards an individual plan which takes a balanced point of view into account. As always, there’s nothing to prepare. Just come with an open heart & mind, a notebook, maybe some post-it notes and catch a glimpse of coaching. It’s going to be lots of fun! We’re looking forward to having you with us!

About Sonja Kirschner: Sonja coaches leaders, couples and people to help them achieve their goals and realize their most heartfelt dreams. In addition to her diploma / Master’s degree in Psychology from Heidelberg University, Germany, Sonja is trained as a Co-Active Coach and as a Gottman-Institute Couples’ Therapist and holds several certifications in the fields of human behavior, e.g. from Yale School of Management Executive Education. To give back to her home country’s free education system, Sonja teaches Leadership and other HR subjects at the Human Resource Management department at Pforzheim University, an internationally accredited business school in Germany. Probably much more important for her work with people all around the globe than any credential are the facts that Sonja has fulfilled her own dream of becoming an entrepreneur, considers the world her home, is a curious life enthusiast and lives by the motto that “if you want to serve people you have to love people” (from Motherless Brooklyn).

Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to seeing you at the HAUS 16th National Meeting.