APPLICATION FOR 2026-2027 Residence (deadline Feb 20, 2026)
German Residential Learning Community
deutschsprachige Wohngemeinschaft (WG)
Students living in the German Residential Learning Community immerse themselves in German language and cultures, build close community through shared interest in German, and develop transferable skills including event planning, group leadership, public speaking, and budgeting. Students who have completed at least one year of German courses and native or heritage speakers of German can apply. A German student from the University of Konstanz, one of St. Olaf’s international exchange partners, will be among the residents. Students may live in the RLC for a year or for a semester (for example, before or after a semester of off-campus study). German RLC members play an important role in St. Olaf German learner community by hosting the weekly German Stammtisch as well as three large events per semester, and smaller events of their choosing. Beginning in 2026-27, all St. Olaf RLCs are housed in Ytterboe Hall, where students live in pods with a shared living room, plus access to a large communal kitchen and a large, reservable lounge area to hold events. The different language RLCs often collaborate to offer international cultural events.
Selection Priorities:
- Quality of application:
- demonstrates commitment to building inclusive community and promoting German language and cultural learning;
- thoroughness and thoughtfulness of responses, ideas for compelling activities, transferrable skills/experiences;
- German course level / speaking ability at GERM 112+
- alternatively: enrollment in GERM 111&112 during year of German RLC residence;
- Commitment to taking further German courses;
- German majors and German Studies concentrators;
- Returning from study abroad or planning to study abroad in a German-speaking country.
The German Department is dedicated to building a community of diverse identities. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled students are encouraged to apply.
German RLC Statement of Commitment:
German RLC residents commit to:
- fostering belonging for all students and engaging in critical discussion of German Studies;
- actively working to integrate German language and culture into community life by speaking German in the residence, at the weekly German conversation table (Stammtisch), and at monthly events organized and hosted by the residents;
- working equitably with fellow residents to plan, advertise, and host monthly events at or sponsored by the German RLC;
- meeting weekly to share ideas and discuss any concerns pertinent to the German RLC;
- electing a German RLC president who regularly briefs the German faculty on RLC activities.
Updated November 2025
Backen und Kochen
Decorating Butterplätzchen together is among the favorite German RLC wintertime traditions. Spätzle, rote Grütze, and Kartoffelpuffer are also frequently on the menu at cooking events.
Austausch
The German RLC often collaborates with other language RLCs for joint events, such as the “Swiss Bliss” touring fondue party with the French RLC or the outdoor Maifest with Norwegian and Russian RLCs.
Gemeinschaft
German RLC residents live in an intimate community immersed in German language and culture. A exchange student from the University of Konstanz is always one of the residents, and sometimes Martin Luther comes by for events.
Feiern
What German RLC would be complete without an Oktoberfest celebration? But our events are hardly restricted to one German cultural area. RLC residents regularly plan events that explore diverse German dialects, regional festivals, and everyday life in different parts of the German-speaking world.