The Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP) at Michigan State University (MSU) is delighted to welcome the 2026 German Fulbright Summer Institute to campus July 11, 2026 - August 1, 2026! Thirty Fulbright undergraduate students from across Germany will undertake a three-week immersive intercultural exchange program with collaborative projects.
The Institute will expose the students to academic life and study in an American university through a number of distinct but interrelated curricular courses. These are Intercultural Communication and Leadership, American Culture and Society, and Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Case studies, group discussions and hands-on collaborative projects are designed to enable students to gain new knowledge and skills as well as to practice in group settings. The program will also take the students to visit some of the most iconic cities and sites in the state including the Michigan Capitol building, Lake Michigan, the Ann Arbor Arts Festival, and the city of Detroit, just to name a few.
Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans work to advance the common good with uncommon will. The nation’s pioneer Land Grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world, on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the United States. MSU is the largest residential college in the U.S. and is home to a diverse community of dedicated students, scholars, athletes, artists, scientists, and leaders. Read more about MSU and the state of Michigan.
Students will be awarded the German Fulbright Summer Institute certificate as well as an MSU VIPP certificate upon successful completion of the program.
This program is sponsored by Fulbright Germany.
Students in the German Fulbright Summer Institute will participate in a full daily schedule of classes taught by MSU faculty, guest lectures by distinguished speakers, field trips around the state, networking events, and cultural enrichment activities.
The Global Business Networking Event is hosted by the Visiting International Professional Program, the German-American Business Council (GABC) of Michigan. Part of the German Fulbright Summer Institute, the event is a casual networking gathering for MSU faculty, staff, representatives of Michigan businesses and government, and students to engage with each other and find mutual interests and potentially lay the foundations for future collaborations. It is our hope that this event will greatly enrich all participants, with opportunities for students, faculty, and state business leaders to learn about the business climate in Michigan, professionally engage with one another, experience diverse cultures, and form lasting contacts.
Course Objectives (CO):
Learning Outcomes (LO):
At the end of this course students will be able to:
This course serves as an introduction to how critical thinking drives entrepreneurship and innovation, and how entrepreneurship can thrive in the conditions of fast-changing global and interrelated local economies, while making positive impact to communities. The course is task and project-driven, so students practice critical, innovative, disruptive and entrepreneurial thinking throughout the course. Teamwork with students from different academic and cultural backgrounds will connect the intercultural communication learning experience and encourage collaborative learning and cultural exchange.
Learning Outcomes:
Course Objectives (CO):
Learning Outcomes (LO):
Students who complete this course successfully will be able to:
Speakers: Henry Julicher, Isabelle McKenzie, Nirad Pandya, and Arnd Herwig
Being the heart of the U.S. automotive industry, Michigan attracts the most talented engineers, designers, and leaders. Meet some of the industry’s top executives, all of whom have studied, worked and lived in multiple continents and countries, and are leading diverse teams to success in some of the most challenging business environments.
See the "Instructors & Speakers" tab to learn more about each panelist.
Students will live on campus in Owen Hall, located in MSU's River Trail Neighborhood. This dormitory is ideal for students who desire a living environment conducive to study. Read more about Owen Hall and take a virtual room tour.
Room Features:
Building Features:
The campus of Michigan State University is located in East Lansing on the banks of the Red Cedar River, and comprises a contiguous area of 5,200 acres. Built amid virgin forest, the campus opened in 1855. Today MSU's campus is home to 538 buildings.
To see more of MSU's beautiful campus, check out this virtual tour, featuring many short video clips and stories of buildings and landmarks. Use the MSU interactive map to find various locations on campus, and read about campus safety.
Michigan State University Spartans work to advance the common good with uncommon will. The nation's pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world and home to a diverse community of dedicated students, scholars, athletes, artists, scientists, leaders.
The MSU campus is very large, and riding a bike is a great way to get around. Bike rentals are available on campus through the MSU Bikes Service Center. Learn how to rent a bike at MSU. You can even reserve your bike online prior to your arrival!
Professor Ross Chowles is professor of practice in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University where he teaches branding, the creative process, how to create commercial video, and ideation techniques. Chowles is co-founder of the Jupiter Drawing Room in Cape Town, Africa’s most awarded independent advertising agency. Chowles and his agency have received numerous awards from South African and international organizations, including Clio, Epica, and Cannes. In 2015, Ross was appointed to the international board of the One Club for Creativity and has since had the privilege of judging all over the globe, from Canada to South Korea and China.
Dr. Anjam Chaudhary is the diversity, equity and inclusion program coordinator at MSU International Studies and Programs. With more than 10 years of national and international experience in academic and administrative education and a passion for intercultural communication competence, Chaudhary brings a multicultural and multilingual perspective to this new position. Most recently she served in professional development and graduate recruitment at Central Michigan University’s Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, where she developed and facilitated leadership workshops and conferences on diversity and interculturality. Prior to that, she was the faculty-led program coordinator in CMU’s Office of International Affairs. Chaudhary earned her PhD in education, interculturality and student development from Central Michigan University, and she also holds a master’s degree in integrated communications, advertising and public relations from Florida International University; a certificate in advertising and global communications from Berlin’s Institute of Marketing and Communications; and a bachelor’s in South Asian studies from the National Institute of Asian Languages and Cultures.
Dr. Salah Hassan is Director of the Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities Program and a professor in the Department of English and core faculty in the Muslim Studies at MSU. His areas of research and teaching include postcolonial literature and theory, mid-20th century anticolonial intellectual movements, literatures of empire, and Arab and Muslim North American studies. His research projects have recently focused on representations of Arabs and Muslims in the media and also projects of Arab and Muslim self-representation. He is the author of Portraits of Sam Hallick: Modern Arab Presence in Early 20th century North America (2023). He is also the founder of the Muslim Subjects website and blog (2012-2020), and coordinated the following projects on that site: “Migrations of Islam,” “American Halal,” and “Journal/Islam.” Muslim Subjects was established with grant that he received from the Social Science Research Council in 2011. He produced the short documentary film, “Death of an Imam” (2010) and the feature length film “Migrations of Islam” (2014).
Margi Fox is a Human Resources executive with extensive experience in global organizations across manufacturing, automotive, hospitality, real estate, FinTech, and business consulting. She was recently named to The Top 100 Innovators and Entrepreneurs and recognized as a Top Fractional CHRO in metro Detroit. Margi has held senior HR leadership roles at international organizations headquartered in Germany and Switzerland, where she served as a trusted partner to executive leadership on culture, human capital strategy, and organizational transformation. Her work has spanned leadership development and coaching, HR systems, mergers and acquisitions, and business analytics. Margi has built a career around aligning people strategy to business objectives, with a particular focus on enabling organizations operating across borders and cultures to achieve their potential.
Isabelle McKenzie was appointed Vice President and President and General Manager of BorgWarner Drivetrain and Morse Systems in July 2024. In this role, McKenzie is responsible for BorgWarner’s global Drivetrain and Morse Systems business. Prior to her current role, McKenzie also held top positions in other businesses including President and General Manager of Morse Systems and Vice President & General Manager PowerDrive Systems, Americas. During this time, she also led the integration of Delphi Technologies’ power electronics business unit into PowerDrive Systems. McKenzie joined BorgWarner in 2014 as Vice President Global Engineering for Transmission Systems.
Prior to her time at BorgWarner, McKenzie led the global fuel injection business at Continental. She held various positions at Continental and Siemens Automotive in Engineering, Program Management, Quality and Business Operations after moving to the United States in 1998. Before her time in the US, McKenzie worked as a program manager in France and an engineer in Germany, both for Siemens Automotive. McKenzie earned a bachelor’s degree in physics at the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Toulouse and is co-author of 25 technical papers and nine automotive patents. Additionally, McKenzie serves as an ambassador for United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
Arnd Herwig is Vice President Development, Brose North America, Inc. Mr. Herwig is an international automotive industry leader with R&D, M&A, and board-level experience. He has a proven track record of developing and launching innovative electronics and mechatronic products. Arnd joined Brose North America Inc. in Auburn Hills Michigan in February 2007. In his current role he is responsible for the group’s product engineering activities, central engineering functions and electronics business in North America. He first joined Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co, KG., as Director Design for the Door Systems Business Division in Hallstadt, Germany, in 2000. Before joining Brose, Mr. Herwig held managerial positions with Continental AG and Rockwell Light Vehicle Systems in Germany and Italy. Mr. Herwig holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Hannover, Germany.
Arnd is the Chairman of the Michigan Advanced Technician Training Program MAT²®, promoting competency-based apprenticeships and advises the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) on critical training needs in the Midwest as a member of their Skills Advisory Committee. In his spare time Mr. Herwig serves the President of the German American Business Council (GABC) of Michigan, an independent non-profit organization that encourages investment and trade relations between Germany and the state of Michigan.
Henry Julicher is currently Senior Manager Cargo Operations & Business Development at Avflight Corporation, and holds fifteen years of professional experience in the aviation and logistics industry. Previously Henry worked as head of Sales for Cargobase, a logistics SaaS software for shippers that is headquartered in Singapore. He has also worked as Regional Manager of Sales and Operations for Lufthansa Cargo Midwest. Henry has been long interested in an international career since high school and believed that learning German would open up professional opportunities abroad. After studying economics in college, Henry joined Lufthansa Group on a management trainee program which ultimately brought him to Germany. He believes that success is linked to attitude and motivation and that anyone can succeed with the right mindset; adding travel and experience is also key to understanding perspectives and approaches and will help broaden one's horizons and abilities. Since returning to Michigan, Henry heads the membership committee for the German-American Business Council of Michigan, a professional networking organization that builds on the strong economic, cultural and commercial ties between Michigan and Germany. He lives in Metro Detroit and is passionate about skiing, sailing and the cultural and culinary experiences Detroit offers.
Werner Happenhofer is Vice President Global Tire Intelligence and Solutions at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, where he leads Tire Intelligence related activities, such as Product Design and Development, Business Development and Goodyear’s New Venture Lab and Corporate Venture Capital Fund. Werner joined Goodyear in 2023 to develop Goodyear’s Tire Intelligence Business and explore the potential to enrich Goodyear’s Tire Product Strategy. Werner held various positions in Engineering, Product Management, Product Line Management and Product Strategy at Continental, Zahnrad Fabrik Friedrichshafen, Hella and Eaton in Germany and The United States. He also worked as Director of Technology Strategy for Chinese OEM Great Wall Motors in Baoding, P.R. China.
Mike Bulow is the cofounder and CEO of The Bulow Group, a commercial insurance, risk management, and consulting firm based in Tinley Park. Since launching the company with his brother Tom Bulow in 2013, Mike has helped grow the agency into a nationally recognized brokerage known for its relationship-driven approach and innovative client solutions. With more than 16 years of experience in the insurance industry, he specializes in executive leadership, strategic planning, sales, and business development. A graduate of Michigan State University, Bulow is also active in mentoring young entrepreneurs and speaking on leadership and business growth. In 2025, he was named Young Agent of the Year by Big I Illinois for his contributions to the insurance industry and community leadership.
Alina Morse is an American entrepreneur best known for founding Zollipops, a company that produces sugar-free candies designed to support dental health. She launched the brand at just seven years old after learning how sugar contributes to tooth decay and deciding to create a healthier alternative. Zollipops quickly gained national attention and are now sold in major retailers across the United States. Morse is often recognized as one of the youngest CEOs in the country and has been featured in major media outlets for her innovation, advocacy for oral health, and entrepreneurial drive.
Jinu Kang is a recent economics graduate from Michigan State University and the founder of Coldbridge. Through his work, Kang aims to reduce caffeine dependency and address the chronic overstimulation that has become common in modern life. Passionate about venture creation and entrepreneurship, he is driven by a mission to help people reconnect with their natural rhythms of true energy without relying on artificial stimulants.
Meet the MSU students who will serve as class assistants and cultural ambassadors during the 2026 German Fulbright Summer Institute.
MSU Freshman
Human Biology and Russian Language
Hi! My name is Aleksandra Rabinkov, but everyone calls me Sasha. I am a freshman at Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University, where I am majoring in Human Biology and Russian Language. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, in a multicultural and multigenerational household. I began taking Russian classes at MSU during my sophomore year of high school. In addition to Russian, I also speak Ukrainian, which I studied during a summer intensive program at Indiana University-Bloomington.
My older brother worked with the VIPP program and served as a Cultural Ambassador three years ago. Since then, I have always hoped to be involved in the program as well. I love traveling and learning about different countries and cultures, and I am very excited to meet people from all parts of the world.
I recently returned from a trip to Poland, and before starting this job, I will be studying in Paris for two months. I also recently did a road trip through Germany, specifically Bavaria, where I explored historic castles tucked into the Alps and visited many famous car museums that celebrate Germany’s incredible automotive history. I inherited a love for cars from my dad.
I am a figure skater, and in my free time I also enjoy painting, photography, volunteering at a local hospital, and spending time with my friends.
MSU Junior
Environmental Biology/Zoology
Hi everyone, my name is Dani Vargas! I am a junior at Michigan State University majoring in Environmental Biology/Zoology and minoring in Data Science. I am originally from Loja, Ecuador, and I speak Spanish, English, French, and German. I have been lucky enough to travel to over 20 countries and lived in Germany for two years. I am currently an undergraduate research assistant in the McGraw Lab here at MSU, as well as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends, trying new foods, and exploring new places. I’m excited for this program and look forward to meeting everyone soon!
MSU Junior
Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, Spanish
My name is Michael LoPorto, and I am from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. I am an undergraduate student at MSU with an interest in international law. After my time in school, I aspire to practice law at a global firm. Outside of schoolwork, I’m a member of Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law fraternity and the university’s UNICEF club. During my freetime, I enjoy long-distance running and swimming, live music, as well as watching new shows and movies. I look forward to this program and am excited to work with everyone!
MSU Doctoral Student
Voice Performance
My name is Elia Meekhoff! I am a doctoral student in Voice performance. I teach private lessons in all styles and perform in the operas here at Michigan State University and all-around Michigan. I am a native Michigander who is excited to share the history and culture of my beloved home state with all of you. There is so much beauty to find here- in the people, the landscape, and the knowledge to be learned.
In my free time, I like hiking and running outside with my husband and our two dogs, Bandit and Rusty. I also dabble in all forms of creative arts, like crocheting, painting, DIY home projects, and my latest project- stain glass! I also like playing games and finding new coffee shops to cozy up and chat. I look forward to meeting everyone.
MSU Graduate Student
TESOL & Applied Linguistics
Hi everyone! My name is Emirhan Yildizhan, but everybody calls me “Emir”. I’m from Izmir, Turkey. I’m a Master’s student in TESOL & Applied Linguistics. I speak Turkish, English, and French. I am currently a Graduate Research Assistant at CeLTA. Also, I am the Graduate Student Representative in LiLaC (Languages, Linguistics, and Cultures) Departmental Committee, and Applied Linguistics Faculty Committee. Additionally, I develop language learning materials for Abrams Planetarium.
Outside academia, I love playing soccer, discovering new places, cooking, and reading about astronomy. I also have a lot of experience creating social media content. I’m very happy and excited to meet everyone!
MSU Graduate Student
Musicology
My name is Paige Redrow and I’m from Ocean City, New Jersey. I'm currently going to school for my Masters in Musicology. I speak French but I've had to learn the phonetic rules to German and Italian for my major. I love music research and writing papers. Right now, I'm studying punk music and how subcultures regulate authenticity. Outside of classes I love to read, play bass, watch movies, and crochet. I look forward to meeting everyone soon!
MSU PhD Student
Marketing
My name is Junyu Sun, and I am currently a third-year PhD student in Marketing, specializing in marketing strategy. I am a big sports fan, especially college football, and I also enjoy basketball (Thunder fan) and soccer (Real Madrid fan). In my free time, I love spending time with my dog, Tiger. He’s a five-year-old Goldendoodle. I am excited to be part of the program and look forward to meeting everyone!
MSU Senior
Paleontology
Hello! My name is Sigourney Koprek and this will be my second year being a cultural ambassador. I major in Paleontology with a minor in Asian History. I speak some Mandarin Chinese as well as German. I‘m originally from Germany but I was born and raised in Southern California. I'm so excited to meet everyone!!
MSU Graduate Student
Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis
My name is Sarah. I graduated from MSU in 2025 with my BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology, with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy. I am now returning to MSU as a Graduate student to study Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis. I have never been to Germany, but it s my dream to visit there one day. I know some German, self-taught, and will always be interested in learning more. I have three cats-- Lunar, Buttercup, and Misty-Day. My hobbies include sketching, crochet, macabre art, and horror movies. I hope to learn from this program and meet some wonderful people!
MSU Graduate Student
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Hello, my name is Michael Wentworth and I am from Michigan! I have just recently graduated from Michigan State with a degree with Linguistics and Japanese and am now returning as a grad student to study foreign English education. I have traveled to Japan twice, and always am looking for opportunities to build international connections!
Outside of class, I enjoy reading, playing games, travel, and trying new foods with friends! I am also a part-time member of the MSU Fencing Club. I look forward to meeting you all soon!
MSU Freshman
Journalism
I’m a Freshman at Michigan State in the college of Journalism. My goal is to one day become a multimedia journalist for a big news organization and help share other peoples’ stories. I was originally born here in East Lansing, but being a military kid, I have grown up in California, Georgia, Utah, and Kansas. I love taking photos of sporting events and flowers. And I love my friends and family even more. In my free time I sew, make jewelry, play my piano, read books till my eyes hurt, and collect antiques. I look forward to my time at VIPP and building lifelong connections with people from all over the world!
MSU Doctoral Student
Music Education
Rong Nie served as a lecturer at Sichuan Conservatory of Music, teaching undergraduate courses in creative music pedagogy, Kodály methodology, piano instruction, and early childhood music education. She supervised student internships, organized teacher training programs for rural educators, and coordinated international masterclasses. Rong earned degrees from Sichuan Conservatory and a Diploma in Music Education from the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy in Hungary. Her research interests include localized teaching strategies, educational equity, and supporting music teachers in under-served communities.
MSU Doctoral Student
Veterinary Medicine
Hello, my name is Barbara Moore but most people call me Babs! I am a 2nd year veterinary student here at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Becoming a veterinarian has been a dream of mine for a long time. My personal passion is hospice and palliative care for small animals and exotics. I believe one of the most important aspects of veterinary medicine is the human-animal bond, as I hope to further strengthen it.
I am involved in multiple clubs here at the veterinary school and have created my own! I love critters, so of course I am president of both the Bee Medicine Club and the IAAHPC club, as well as the Spay and Neuter coordinator for our shelter medicine club.
I fell in love with the German language when taking it in high school, where I also met my husband! During that time, I hosted a German exchange student through our Band class. With German, I still try to practice when I find the time, as well as learning American Sign Language. My husband and I traveled to Japan last summer and hope to travel to other countries.
When I’m not immersed into my veterinary curriculum, I enjoy drinking coffee, playing video games, and playing the flute. I also like hanging out with our animals, which includes two kitties, one dog, a bearded dragon, and a Rose-hair tarantula. Super excited to meet you!
MSU Freshman
Data Science and French
Hello everyone, my name is Benni and I am a freshman here at Michigan State majoring in Data Science and French. I am from East Lansing Michigan, but have been able to visit many places around the world having lived in Germany in 1st and 5th grade, studied abroad in Quebec Canada, and Queretaro Mexico, and having visited and spent time in a handful more countries and places. I speak German and English, and have been learning French for 7 years. Outside of class I love to play football (soccer), board/card games, go on adventures and get to meet new people. Excited to get to know you all this summer!
Benjamin Justin Acar
FOM International School of Management and Technology Essen
Deutsche Telekom AG
Ilyas Acar
Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences
Volkswagen AG
Jakob Ahrens
DHBW* Villingen-Schwenningen
Deloitte Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft GmbH
Karlotta Arens
Hochschule Trier - University of Applied Sciences
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Rosalie Astier
Nordakademie - University of Applied Sciences
VTG Deutschland GmbH
Leonie Beil
DHBW Lörrach
Europa-Park GmbH & Co Mack KG
Marina Luise Brueckner
Technische Hochschule Brandenburg - University of Applied Sciences
e.dis Netz GmbH
Bárbara Cunha Preussler
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
Max Richard Ewald
Cooperative State University Saxony - Glauchau
Sparkasse Mittelthüringen
Paula Fritzsche
Cooperative State University Saxony - Breitenbrunn
Sächsische Staatsbäder GmbH
Theo Haffer
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences
Isabellenhütte Heusler GmbH & Co. KG
Karsten Andreas Hoeflein
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society - University of Applied Sciences
BASF SE
Erik Alexander Hohmann
Berufsakademie Rhein-Main Rödermark - University of Cooperative Education
Strauss GmbH & Co. KG
Philipp Maximilian Klaus
DHBW Karlsruhe
HOBART GmbH
Niclas Jens Florian Krieg
Berlin School of Economics and Law
Bayer AG
Vanessa Kuder
Cooperative State University Saxony - Plauen
GK Software SE
Maren Kueppers
DHBW Villingen-Schwenningen
B. Braun/Aesculap AG
Pia Charlotte Sabine Linzmayer
Cooperative State University Saxony - Dresden
FLORAPHARM pflanzliche Naturprodukte GmbH
Joel Luethje
Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein - DHSH University of Applied Sciences
Traser Software GmbH
Lukas Kaspar Melzer
DHBW Mannheim
Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Felix Noah Probstfeld
Hochschule Koblenz - University of Applied Science
Debeka Krankenversicherungsverein a.G.
Fabian Sack
DHBW Mosbach, Campus Bad Mergentheim
Lauda Dr. R. Wobser GmbH & Co. KG
Tim Saggau
Berlin School of Economics and Law
Deloitte Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Finja Celine Schaffert
DHBW Mosbach
Staatliches Hochbauamt Schwäbisch Hall
Larissa Aden Schelle
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Innomotics GmbH
Johannes Jeang Schnabel
DHBW Heilbronn
Lidl Dienstleistung GmbH & Co. KG
Keno Schwarz
Jade Hochschule - University of Applied Sciences
VIEROL AG
Nadine Sturm
Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm
Bock 1 GmbH & Co. KG
Jannik Lenard Weber
Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences
Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH
Niklas Moritz Falco Wiese
Hochschule Ruhr West - University of Applied Sciences
ALDI International Services SE & Co. oHG
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