Get involved with the UBC CENES community through events and activities hosted by the German, Modern European, Nordic and Slavic and Eastern European Studies programs.
German Activities at UBC
There are a variety of opportunities to supplement your studies of German language, literature and culture.
UBC Augenblick
Augenblick is UBC’s student-run and faculty-supported undergraduate research journal in German Studies. Launched in 2022, this initiative centers around “Putting German Studies into Action”—a key component of UBC’s German Studies undergraduate curriculum. Students across all disciplines, years, and backgrounds can (and are encouraged to) submit their work – be it an essay, poem, video, song, or graphic novel. For more information about the journal and with instructions on how to get involved, visit the journal’s official website.
UBC German Corner
UBC German Corner is an initiative that was started to encourage UBC students who are learning German to take their language learning journey outside of the classroom. It’s an educational resource website dedicated to supplementary resources for learning German, in addition to regular classroom resources such as textbooks.
UBC Kaffeestunde
Four times each term we gather as a community for an afternoon of tea, coffee, and snacks and conversation in the CENES Lounge (Buchanan Tower 910). During Kaffeestunde, you will be able to meet fellow German Studies students and faculty as you engage in lively conversation. The event is also open to the broader UBC community. Join us! Check out the UBC CENES Events Calendar for more information.
UBC Plauder-Treff (previously Stammtisch)
Looking for a place to practice your German? UBC Plauder-Treff is a weekly German conversation hour created and designed to assist German language learners in the UBC community to develop their speaking skills. Whether you are a beginner or a proficient German speaker, you are welcome. Check out the UBC CENES Events Calendar for more information.
Nordic Activities at UBC
UBC Fika
Fika is not only a Swedish word but also a concept. Fika is so called backslang of the word kaffe (coffee). However, the way to fika is not only to drink coffee but also to take a break, pause what you are doing to talk and hang out with family, friends and work mates. Fika cannot be experienced at your desk by yourself. That would just be drinking coffee! Pretty much every workplace in Sweden have paid fika pauses every day so that people get a chance to get to know each other and bond.
For us in the UBC Nordic Studies program, the idea is to offer a carefree way for students taking Swedish, Danish and other Scandinavian courses to hang out together along with their instructors. For those taking the language courses it’s a chance to practice new vocabulary too! The main intent is to get to know your classmates and other students who take Swedish, Danish and Nordic Studies courses. A cinnamon bun or two will be served!
Lucia
Between late November to early December, the Nordic Program and the Scandinavian and Nordic Student Association collaborate to host our annual Swedish and Danish Lucia choir. This is a great opportunity for students in the Swedish and Danish Language program to practice their language skills, and the audience can enjoy fika and a performance.
Slavic and Eastern European Studies Activities UBC
Slavic Tea
Afternoon tea is an enduring Slavic custom, and taking time for a cup of tea with family, friends and co-workers is a widely popular social event. It helps with relaxation, building relationships, and it has positive feedback on wellbeing. Do not miss an opportunity to get to know each other and meet new friends while having a cup of tea with snacks at the Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies!