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Max Kade German House at Shea

Through the generous support of the University of Virginia and the Max Kade Foundation in New York, the Department maintains a German House for undergraduate students as part of the Shea Language House. A German-speaking graduate student oversees the German House as resident staff. 

The German House hosts nightly German-speaking dinners Monday-Thursday as well as a weekly language hour. If you are interested in visiting the German House for one of these German-speaking events, please reach out to the current Language Assistant, Issabella Colon.

Come live at the Max Kade German House!

We are part of UVa's language house community and provide an authentic environment for undergraduate students to improve their German language skills. In the German House you will...

  • Improve your German through daily practice
  • Meet other people and make new friends
  • Celebrate Oktoberfest, Karneval, Movie Nights, and many other events
  • Try out German recipes in the Shea House kitchen

PLUS it looks great on your resume, and Lederhosen are not required!

Who can live at the German House?

Basically, anyone whose German suffices for everyday life can live at the German House. If you have finished two semesters of college German, the equivalent amount of high school German, or if you come from a German-speaking home, you are qualified. The German House is looking for motivated students whose German is at least at the basic conversational level. Your German doesn't need to be perfect, nor do you need to be a German major or minor. We currently have a mix of students at various levels, ranging from German 2010 to near-native fluency, studying a variety of different subjects.

How does one apply?

To apply for the German House, visit the Housing website. This is where you can submit the short essay responses and list German in Shea House as a preference for next year. For details on the application process, please contact the resident language advisor or the German department. 

For more information, see the German House website.