Cross-Cultural Competency

Interacting with representatives from German companies provides students with a firsthand understanding of cross-cultural communication and business practices. This experience can improve their intercultural skills, which are critical in today’s globalized business world, helping them become more adaptable and effective in diverse environments.

Exposure to Global Innovation & Sustainability Trends

German companies are often leaders in various industries such as engineering, automotive, and technology. Engaging with these companies allows students to learn about the latest innovations and sustainability practices directly from industry experts, giving them insights into cutting-edge developments that can enhance their understanding of global business trends.

Networking and Career Opportunities

This event offers students a chance to connect with German companies that may have internship, career, or collaborative project opportunities. Building relationships with international companies can open doors to global career prospects and provide valuable connections that could be beneficial for their future professional growth.

The Intercultural Symposium initiates sustainable engagement between five interconnected stakeholders: over 100 German companies located in Connecticut, the German Innovation and Research Institute in New York City, three of UConn's schools (CLAS, ENGR, and BUS), including the dual degree programs EUROBIZ and EUROTECH, and AdvanceCT, Connecticut's agency for business growth. The Intercultural Symposium will be in the Alumni Center at UConn Storrs.

9:00 AM

Welcome

by Dr. Ngozi Taffe, Associate Vice President of Global Affairs, UConn

9:15 AM

Keynote Lecture

by Dr. Jan Lüdert, German Center for Research and Innovation, New York

9:45 AM

EuroTech and EuroBiz Alumni Panel

• Michelle Buerkler, Trumpf
• Carolyn Costa, Environmental Engineer, CDM Smith
• Sydney Smith-Romanski, Biomedical and Systems Engineering, Healthineer, Siemens
• Luke Vancraeynest, Validation Engineer, MTU
• Aaditya Vyas, Senior Software Engineer, Pratt & Whitney
• Steffen Ziegler, Lead Engineer, Eversource
• and with Special Guest Matthew Allen, Director of Careers and Education at the German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Students from both Dual Degree Programs, German Studies and Engineering and German Studies and Business, will share their experiences from starting their studies at UConn to working abroad and building their international careers.

Moderators: Prof. Anke Finger, German Studies, UConn; Prof. Andreas Weißenbach, Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Mosbach

11:00 AM

German Companies Roundtable

Welcome by Consul General of Germany Dr. Sonja Kreibich

• Dr. Christine Benz - Sales Director, Trumpf
• Marie-Anne Caye - Director CX Consumer & Pro Ecosystems, Henkel
• Michael Haaser - Vice-President and Will Trickett -Automation Manager, Stopa America
• Jonathan Leach - President & David Gould - Lead Engineer, MTU Aero Engines 
• Tom Siemieniak - President and Sujan Guhathakurta - Engineer, Fischer Fixings
• Peter Tolmei - HR Manager, ebm-papst 

Since 2019, Germany has been Connecticut's #1 economic partner. The roundtable will address research and innovation, cultural and economic challenges, and share ideas and practices for building lasting, productive networks and relations. 

Moderator: Ted Fisher, AdvanceCT

The second half of the "Germany on Campus" Day, the Company Expo, connects UConn students seeking internship and career opportunities in Connecticut, New England and in Europe with German companies interested in meeting students who are trained based on intercultural and international perspectives.

The Company Expo will host about 15 Company tables at the Alumni Center for networking and company engagement. 

Thursday, November 14th

2 PM - 5 PM

Alumni Center Storrs

Join us for lunch and prepare to engage with employers at the Germany Company Expo! Learn tips on connecting with German employers for internships and jobs. Some of the employers who will be on campus are; Henkel, Stopa, Trumpf, MTU Aaero Engines North America, and EBM-Papst.

Email Laila.chaoui@uconn.edu to confirm your attendance and any dietary needs by Wednesday, October 30th at noon.

Friday, November 1st

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

BUSN 321 (BUSN Boardroom)

As part of UConn's Eurobiz program, I studied both German and Management, gaining valuable experience in Storrs and abroad that has led me to work for a German company in CT today. During my third year at UConn, I lived abroad in Germany and took classes at the University of Tübingen before working for TRUMPF at their headquarters in Ditzingen, Germany. Working for TRUMPF, a high-tech, innovative leader in manufacturing solutions for machine tools and laser technology, allowed me to gain valuable technical and intercultural competence skills, as well as an understanding of German workplace practices. Norms and expectations such as punctuality, efficiency, precision, clarity, direct communication and a strong emphasis on work-life balance were all things I developed and have taken with me. Since graduating from UConn in May 2024, I have been working for TRUMPF at its US headquarters in Farmington, CT. My time abroad in Germany working for TRUMPF provided me with valuable experience and knowledge that has helped me in my new position.