The DAAD's Germany Today Tour once again provided university representatives from the U.S. and Canada with exciting insights into Germany's diverse higher education landscape. Three of them report on what made the tour such an extraordinary experience for them.

Jessica Cissell, Assistant Provost, Graduate Education and International Community, and Director of The Graduate Center in the Office of the Provost, Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)

“The Germany Today Tour was robust, wonderfully so. There was very little downtime, which I appreciated. I felt like every minute of my time was productive, valuable. The program was diverse, not just in terms of institutions and topics, but also in the formats of engagement. We had opportunities to connect formally through presentations, but also informally, over dinners with people we met during the day.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was how much I would learn from my colleagues on the trip, from other U.S. and Canadian institutions. I thought I would just be learning about German institutions and research structures. However, those conversations added depth and gave me an even greater appreciation for how others are approaching the current landscape back home.

Certain visits stood out, for example, TU Hamburg. President Professor Andreas Timm-Giel provided a fantastic strategic overview, and we learned how the institution collaborates with the region. That perspective was incredibly valuable. I also found the Science City and DESY campus fascinating, a vision of how Germany is thinking about embedded research structures and the future.

A particularly interesting moment was meeting Dr. Muriel Helbig. Her insightful remarks, both as DAAD Vice President and as TH Lübeck President, gave valuable context to the information we were receiving. I left with a clearer understanding of how German higher education functions in practice, connecting the dots between structure, governance, and policy.

I took away from the 2025 Germany Today program not only concrete ideas, which I’ve already followed up on, but it reaffirmed the value of international exchange as a whole. We are part of a global academic ecosystem. Whether through formal partnerships or informal conversations, these kinds of experiences push us to think differently, question assumptions, and ultimately serve our students and societies better.

As Lord Tennyson wrote: ‘I am a part of all that I have met.’ That’s how I feel when I reflect on this trip.”

 Professor Janusz Kozinski, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada

“The Germany Today Tour was absolutely extraordinary. Wonderfully organized, thoughtful in its design, and full of meaningful encounters. We visited a variety of places, Hamburg, Lübeck, Kiel, and Berlin, and saw an excellent mixture of institutions from humanities and social sciences to science and engineering.

What fascinated me most was the opportunity to explore Germany’s universities of applied sciences, where students learn not only with their heads, but also with their hands. I’m currently leading a new project in Canada, just north of Toronto, linking engineering with business and law. The German model of combining academics with industry internships is extremely valuable for us. Many students there already have job offers before they graduate, it’s a terrific investment.

Another highlight was the atmosphere. We mixed work with pleasure, which is always a great idea. Uta Gaedeke and Claudia Nospickel from the DAAD created an environment where we, the participants, felt really good about the entire program, to the point, that we followed up afterwards and not just as colleagues, but perhaps even as friends.

International collaboration across borders in higher education is fundamental. Universities, what we do, is to explore. And as I mentioned during the program, ‘If you want to go fast, travel alone. But if you want to go far in life, travel together.’ That’s what meaningful partnerships are all about, academic or personal, it’s the journey we take together that benefits everyone involved. 

Germany can offer a great deal to Canada in terms of applied learning models and institutional diversity, while Canadian universities, especially with their cultural mosaic and openness, can offer something unique in return. DAAD plays a vital role here. It’s like an engine that makes international collaboration possible.”

Jennifer Gerz-Escandón, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Research at the University of North Carolina (UNC)

“Having previously participated in the Germany Today Tour in 2018, joining the 2025 tour refreshed my understanding of the Applied University model, renewed my fascination with German cultural richness, and reaffirmed my professional connection to a leading global center of higher education. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the interweaving of tradition and innovation across the cities and institutions we visited. 
One of the most compelling aspects of the tour was witnessing the catalytic impact of Germany’s Excellence Strategy on its institutions of higher education. This national initiative has not only elevated research standards but also fostered the emergence of dynamic “science cities” where academic inquiry and urban development go hand in hand. The strategy’s tangible outcomes were evident in the Universities of Excellence and Clusters of Excellence programs, which exemplify the German government’s deep commitment to education and research.

The tour was filled with memorable highlights that underscored the power of personal connection and intellectual exchange. A garden dinner hosted by DAAD Vice President Dr. Muriel Helbig at her home in Lübeck was a beautiful example of hospitality and collegiality. In Kiel, Wolfgang Schmidt’s forward-thinking remarks on the symbiotic relationship between the city and its university offered a compelling vision for civic-academic collaboration.

What I bring back to my university system is not only a deeper appreciation for Germany’s strategic investment in research and education but also practical examples of how such investments can transform institutions and regions. I return with an expanded global network of colleagues from Germany, Canada, and the United States, leaders who are committed to forging connections that benefit students, researchers, and institutions alike.”

Luca Rehse-Knauf  (16 September 2025)