Berlin Graduate Student Colloquia

-a big mess production-
GRADUATE STUDENTS:
DON’T BE SO GODDAMN HARD ON YOURSELVES

Graduate Students: A Call to Socialize

Hello, my name is Kerri Mullen, and I am working on a project to facilitate meetings between all the various scholarship, grant, fellowship, exchange, etc. programs for graduate students in Berlin.

*First goal: Have all interested parties meet in some sort of alcohol-lubricated social situation.

*Second goal: Create student profiles:
What is your affiliation institution/university?
What is your field?
What is your project?
Example: Kerri Mullen
JFK Institute, Freie Universität Berlin
North American Studies: literature and cultural studies
Masters Program

*Third goal: Mini Colloquia for Work and Play

One strange thing about being involved with a fellowship or exchange is isolation from your peers in your field, from your home institution at the very least. This group is a way to combat that isolation, although this is not just for fellowship recipients or scholars who are temporarily in Berlin; it is also for anyone getting their Master or PhD degree here.

I want students to form mini discussion groups based around a topic, or a program, or what have you. You can then:
-discuss research methods and options: where do I find this, whom can I contact about this.
-streamline your thesis: present your projects in whatever state of development/completion to others who can credibly pick on your work. Make it better. Argue your points for clarity.
-socialize. The world of books and research is lonely and scary and lonely. These people might remind you to eat, for example. They might make helpful suggestions about creating time in one’s schedule for regular bathing. Friendly suggestions.

*Fourth goal: Shameless Networking/What’s Going On in Berlin
-Are you part of an institution that has a calendar of events? Let’s make a grand calendar of events from all members. You can see if there are any interesting conferences, lectures, etc. in town without the numbness of four hours at the computer when you really should be doing your Work Work, not this sort of personal business work.

Classes start soon. If you are currently picking your nose in Berlin, let me know and we can pick in solidarity.

FIRST MEETING OF SOCIAL LUBRICATION AND THE DAWNING OF A NEW AGE OF GRADUATE STUDENT INTERDISCIPLINARY IN-FIGHTING AND WORKING TOGETHER TOWARD A MORE DECONSTRUCTED TOMORROW:

Friday, October 12, 2007, 9:30 PM: KAUFBAR, Gärtnerstrasse 4, Friedrichshain.
Feel free to show up any time, I’ll be there, drinking nervously.

*If interested, please contact Kerri Mullen at mullen.kerri@gmail.com.