Live in Stockwerk Deutsch

How would you describe Stockwerk to someone who does not know it?

Stockwerk is a community dedicated to learning more about the German language and German-speaking cultures. It offers a space where members can practice and improve their language skills while also socializing with each other. The one-credit seminar offered to Stockis touches on a variety of topics that change each semester, so things always feel new and engaging.

How would you describe the Stockis and your interactions with them?

Although every Stocki has a varying level of German proficiency and speaking to people who are more proficient than you might feel intimidating at first, my fellow Stockis were always encouraging and supportive of my abilities. Since you share a living space with each other, you quickly start to build a bond with your fellow members, which makes learning German together even more fun.

How would you describe your experience as a Stocki?

I decided to become a Stocki after taking German 204 with Dr. Larson. One day, I struck up a conversation with her and talked about what dorm I was living in, and that was when she told me about Stockwerk. In class, we talked about the history of ethnic Germans living in Russia, and when I told her that I was interested in learning more about it, she told me that the following year she was actually teaching a Stockwerk seminar on that exact topic. She encouraged me to join and helped me with the process. I was a part of Stockwerk for a year, but I wish I had joined earlier. I had so much fun learning from Dr. Larson and Patricia, and I feel like Stockwerk was the perfect supplement to my German classes. I had a lot of fun asking Patricia random questions about Germany and German culture, and she always welcomed them.

How did Stockwerk contribute to your knowledge and understanding of the German language and its cultures?

Stockwerk allowed me to expand my vocabulary and made me more comfortable speaking German.

What is your favorite Stockwerk memory?

My favorite Stockwerk memory is making Käsespätzle with Patricia during one of our events because I like trying new foods, and it was fun actually cooking the food myself.

Why should (German) students join Stockwerk?

Students should join Stockwerk because it offers a more laid-back environment for learning German, and it’s the perfect opportunity to make friends who share your passion for the language.

How would you describe Stockwerk to someone who does not know it?

I would describe Stockwerk as a community of German speaking students who grow together socially and culturally to recreate the feeling of being immersed in a different culture.

How would you describe your experience as a Stocki?

I had been in a German class where I had met someone who was also looking into joining the learning community, and I decided to join. I was in Stockwerk Deutsch for one year and met some of my closest friends! Our community is special because there are not many spaces where you can connect with other German speakers and build your skills by practicing with each other and growing more confident in your language skills.

How would you describe the Stockis and your interactions with them?

I grew very close to my fellow Stockis through our meetings and just living in close proximity to each other. Many of them were also in the same classes that I was, and we were able to bond through classes and helped each other.

How did Stockwerk enhance your German studies at UW-Madison?

Stockwerk gave me a community to practice with and grow more accustomed to speaking German in a different atmosphere than just the classroom.

How did Stockwerk contribute to your knowledge and understanding of the German language and its cultures?

The LPC, Patricia, is a huge help with adding to knowledge of the German language and culture. Having a native speaker to converse with and be friends with is amazing! She is so knowledgeable and the events with her and the Stockwerk community really give you a glimpse into another culture!

What is your favorite Stockwerk memory?

My favorite Stockwerk memory is meeting my fellow Stockis at the most random times and in the most random places and laughing and getting to know each other.

Why should (German) students join Stockwerk?

Other students should join Stockwerk because it builds confidence with the German language without the pressure of the classroom. I was always a little nervous to speak up in case I said something wrong or did not understand something in the classroom, and Stockwerk really helped with that. Along with familiarity with the language, it gives you familiarity with another culture. The community also led me to meet my closest friends!

How would you describe Stockwerk to someone who does not know it?

A great way to practice German language skills in an encouraging and fun environment!

How would you describe the Stockis and your interactions with them?

Everyone was kind and enjoyable to be around. I enjoyed having the chance to meet new people and practice my German skills at the same time.

How would you describe your experience as a Stocki?

I was a part of Stockwerk for two years. I had joined to further my German education and meet new people as I transitioned into college life. I enjoyed the variety of activities planned and the chance to speak German outside of a classroom setting.

How did Stockwerk enhance your German studies at UW-Madison?

The program helped with my conversational German abilities, as well as my confidence in speaking German. I also appreciated learning more about Germany outside of the standard lectures, whether that be through the offered seminar or with activities.

What is your favorite Stockwerk memory?

I really enjoyed the movie nights and getting to view popular German films that I hadn’t heard of before.

How would you describe Stockwerk to someone who does not know it?

Stockwerk is the German language house nestled in the International Learning Community that provides its members with ample opportunity to interact with others in German outside the classroom. It feels similar to a club, with fun scheduled activities, often relating to German language and culture, mixed with a college level German course, thanks to the required seminar every semester. The seminar is extremely chill and just serves to expose students to an aspect of German studies that isn’t necessarily covered in other courses.

How would you describe your experience as a Stocki?

I was motivated to join Stockwerk to increase my exposure to the German language and culture, as well as to meet new people in college with similar interests to me, who I would be living near thanks to the dorm situation. This helped me to make friends in college sooner than I would have in my classes, thanks to regularly scheduled activities through both the ILC as a whole and ones specific to Stockwerk. I was in Stockwerk for two years and gained a better understanding of the language and culture, as well as made some good friends through it. It was a special experience because it allowed for two levels of community, the language level and the overall learning community level, and Stockwerk always seemed to be one of the most enthusiastic and involved language houses in the program!

How would you describe the Stockis and your interactions with them?

All the Stockis I interacted with during my two years in Stockwerk were kind and extremely fun to be around. Everyone was enthusiastic about German and German culture and took learning opportunities seriously. The LPC during my time, Patrica, was the best and always made sure to include everyone in activities and schedule lots of fun things for us to do as a group. Additionally, she stuck it out in the A/C-less dorms with us, which really made it feel like even though she was our program coordinator she was just as much a Stocki as we all were, experiencing all the same struggles we were!

How did Stockwerk enhance your German studies at UW-Madison?

The seminar every semester that we all took part in provided an additional amount of information about German culture and language, and covered topics that other German courses at UW don’t. Additionally hanging out with Patricia, the LPC during my time in Stockwerk, as well as other Stockis who had spent time in Germany or knew much more about the culture and language than me provided a lot of opportunity to learn about different facets of German culture that normal classroom activities didn’t expose me to.

How did Stockwerk contribute to your knowledge and understanding of the German language and its cultures?

Speaking in German during non-academic situations, such as during weekly dinners, really helped with my comfort speaking conversationally in the language. These bonding activities also open the door for German cultural facts and vocab to come up naturally, which is really cool and taught me a lot that I wouldn’t have learned in a classroom setting.

What is your favorite Stockwerk memory?

My favorite Stockwerk memory is probably when we did the ALPS high ropes course with the ILC and there was a ton of wind which led to many harrowing moments and through this we all bonded over fear and tackling this experience in less-than-ideal conditions. It made me feel a lot more comfortable in the group and was a super fun activity that I never would have gotten to experience if not for Stockwerk!

Why should (German) students join Stockwerk?

If you are a German student and are looking to make friends who share an interest in the language while expanding your studies beyond the classroom, Stockwerk is a great opportunity.