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RIAS Berlin Germany Short/Alumni Program September 16-24

A group of 32 American journalists took part in a one-week RIAS Berlin Commission “short/alumni” program in Cologne and Munich recently to learn more about the country they first visited several years or even decades earlier on their RIAS Berlin Commission fellowships. Many of the Americans used the three days in Cologne and four days in Munich to learn more about the political situation in Germany ahead of an important regional election in the state of Bavaria on October 8 and about the troubles facing the church in Germany with several meetings in Cologne. They had the chance to meet political leaders in both cities, learn more about the economic importance of Oktoberfest for Germany and its 7 million annual visitors, about BMW’s new factory in Munich and about media developments in Germany. The Americans also had the chance to ride the country’s high-speed Intercity Express (ICE) train on a four-hour ride from Cologne to Munich at speeds above 220 kilometers per hour. One participant, Lane Luckie, even did a live report for his station in Tyler, Texas while sitting on the speeding train about the train system in Germany for a Texas audience in a state that has long considered building high-speed train lines between Dallas and Houston.  Here are their short summaries of their experiences:

Karin Caifa, CNN, Washington DC 

The value in a RIAS alumni program is that it allows us to continue to build our knowledge and understanding of German political, economic and cultural affairs. In making the comparison to university-level learning, I’d say my initial trip in 2018 was German Politics & Economy 101, with a broad overview of the country and its place in the European Union. My first alumni trip in 2021 for the historic German national elections drilled down deeper into party dynamics, so more like German Politics & Economy 102. And this trip, timed to the elections in Bavaria, took us another layer below to the local election level. It also helped highlight that key debates for voters here – like immigration and inflation – are very similar to those that shape elections back home. There was also the camaraderie and connections with US and German alumni, especially reinforced as we peeked behind the scenes of the massive economic driver that is Oktoberfest. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to expand my knowledge and my networks!

Michael Gargiulo, WNBC, NY Chapter Alumni Leader, New York, New York 

It’s the hidden secret of the RIAS Program that sometimes the most important lessons are not always learned in meetings or on visits to important places. After participating in the RIAS Alumni Program in Cologne and Munich, I experienced a new Germany; one far more diverse than when I arrived in Berlin for my RIAS fellows program in June of 2002. We met Black Germans in Lederhosen in the Oktoberfest grounds, immigrants from Spain at our hotel in Munich, and listened to a multi ethnic choir in the Cathedral in Cologne. I don’t think many Americans understand how Germany is changing and how embracing that diversity is helping Germany grow at a time when so many other European nations are shrinking.

The timing for this program could not have been better .. getting to meet key players from the CSU and the Green   party just days before the Bavarian elections.. they each spent an hour with us ..even though they are locked in a battle to control their State.. It says a lot about the influence of RIAS.

Yes , we had a super time at Oktoberfest.. but I also believe it was one of the most educational  days of our visit. We were able to see behind the scenes how the police work to keep the enormous crowds safe, how food processing is handled for more than a million visitors and why this old traditional celebration is embraced so strongly by young Germans.

Finally, the alumni program showed me why RIAS  is all about personal connections. I reconnected with RIAS fellows I have not seen since my original program in 2002, new friends from around the US, and German colleagues who have become close friends as well.  Thanks to RIAS, we have an unshakable bond and for that I will be forever grateful 

Justin Campbell, KRON4, San Francisco, California 

The RIAS program truly expands who I am as a person and professionally. My first trip was in 2018, I learned so much about German politics, and experiencing Berlin felt like being in a Cold War movie. 

The alumni RIAS program, I believe, is even more important. Being able to connect with colleagues across the U.S. and Germany in person is very important to my professional development. Since 2018, I’ve made many personal friends and contacts within RIAS that have even helped me secure a better journalism job. 

The alumni trip also allows me to deepen my knowledge of German politics, culture, and history. This was my 3rd trip, and each time I learn or experience something new. Seeing the robots at the BMW factory, and less labor really shows the wave of the future. A.I. in San Francisco is leading innovation, and soon we’ll probably see that A.I. robots at BMW.

The opportunity to experience Oktoberfest was incredible, and I loved learning more about clothing, lederhosen and dirndl. I will continue to support RIAS and will support the program anyway I can help, in hopes it changes another young black man’s life in the way it changed mine.

Lane Luckie, KLTV, Tyler, Texas 

The value of the RIAS Berlin Commission’s alumni program cannot be overstated. Where else can a broadcast journalist find unrivaled professional development, cultural exchange, meaningful friendships, and access to newsmakers and events, rolled into a single experience?

My initial fellows program proved to be life-changing. It laid a foundation for personal and professional growth. But the alumni program has allowed me a chance to put that knowledge in context and apply new skills.

The immense value of these programs is also passed along to my station’s viewers. In Cologne and Munich, I was able to produce stories and provide daily live reports for our audience in East Texas on a number of topics: an East Texas bishop’s insight on an exodus in the Germany church; expanding Germany’s rail network as Texas is pursuing two high-speed train projects; the 1880s German immigrant who designed landmarks in the oldest town in Texas; how East Texas NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes is part of the league’s plan to expand American football in Germany; East Texas’ biggest Oktoberfest celebration got its start with a city manager’s visit to Munich; and a look at Holocaust education curriculum in Germany and in Texas.

The alumni chapter in Cologne and Munich couldn’t have been more thoughtful and intentional in developing an itinerary with fascinating and informative speakers, as well as eye-opening experiences. The week also delivered a crash-course on the upcoming Bavarian parliament elections and the implications the results will have.

Lasting impressions were also made through face-to-face conversations with German lawmakers and interacting with people on the streets. This trip provided an opportunity to forge new connections with German and American fellows, rekindle friendships, and discuss possible collaborations on future projects. Perhaps most special, was the chance to have dinner in Cologne with the German fellow who spent a week at my station in Texas in 2018. We’ve kept in touch over the years and just picked up where we left off! 

The 2023 RIAS alumni program in Cologne and Munich taught me there is so much more to learn and explore! I’m back in my newsroom with a list of new ideas for future stories and preparing to host two German fellows next month. The world feels smaller because of the RIAS Berlin Commission and I’m always mindful of the impact these programs have had on my career.

David Bruns, Washington Post, Washington D.C. 

Thank you for letting me be a part of this extraordinary experience again. I first discovered RIAS in 2003 and not only did the trip vastly transform my understanding of international news and politics, but it led to some lasting friendships that have endured decades. I feel confident something similar has happened twenty years later.

One of the tremendous aspects of RIAS is how the program infuses newsroom visits, editorial interviews, and uniquely geographical cultural insights to give you a better understanding of how Germany is not just one country in Europe on a map, but a unique mosaic of regions with distinctive industry, politics and social issues. For me, it was fascinating to see in person how societally North-Rhine Westphalia differentiated from Bavaria.

Also, RIAS is about networking and building connections with professional colleagues in both countries. The surprising subtheme of my 2023 trip was unexpectedly rekindling some of those early RIAS friendships. Twice on this trip I was surprised to ‘run into’ amazing journalists I had last seen nearly two decades ago. One was Michael Heussen of WDR, of Cologne.  After hosting Michael in Sacramento in 2004 and taking him to places like San Francisco – we had lost touch, but connected again through the Cologne chapter meeting. And in Munich, I happened to meet again Susanne Erzberger, who had been a reporter at RTL in Berlin when I visited in 2003.  Immediately we picked up conversations we had left off for years and vowed to use “Zoom” to stay in better touch.

These trips are magical for a litany of reasons.  I was astonished at how thirty-two different journalists stuck together traveling for a week could be so easy to get along with, inspiring, and enlightening. Thank you RIAS for making this once in a lifetime experience happen, twice.

Larry Miller, WUSA, Washington DC 

There is something special about RIAS and especially the 2023 alumni program in Cologne and Munich. Not only did I meet interesting, accomplished and motivated people, I had the opportunity to share information and collaborate with colleagues addressing similar challenges: resource limitations, workflow innovations and news gathering strategies. No other program or newsroom provides such a rich, rewarding information packed experience.  We met politicians, researchers, newsmakers and journalists charged with covering the day’s events. Not only did I gain new friends, I was able to network and expand my professional horizon.  In an industry where we are all deeply committed to others, it was great to be amongst colleagues that cared about me and nurtured my professional vision. 

Faith Jessie WXIA (NBC) Atlanta, Georgia 

My first RIAS program was in 2018. During this program, my eyes and mind were opened to another world of ideas, perspectives, and understanding of societal and cultural issues. Our visits to several German news outlets and meetings with political figures were experiences I would have never been able to afford or have access to as a young 20-something journalist. I was still finding my voice, but I was so eager to learn. 

Five years later, the 2023 alumni program gave me another opportunity to connect with some of the best and brightest journalists in the business, both in America and in Germany. 

As an American journalist covering the upcoming U.S. election, our meetings with Bavarian politicians like CSU’s Florian Herrman and Grüne’s Katharina Schulze, as well as influential news outlets like Süddeutsche Zeitung, were major highlights for me. We came to Munich in the final stretch of Bavaria’s election season. These meetings not only allowed us to get a balanced understanding of the issues facing the region but allowed us to see the differences in how breaking political news is handled, how campaigns are managed, as well as the evolving relationship between the press, politicians, and the voters.

The cultural aspects of the trip were also major highlights. Being able to experience the Oktoberfest on an informative level with talks and historic tours from those involved with running it, gave me a deeper understanding of the cultural event that I can now use in my reporting.

Overall RIAS has helped to broaden my understanding of German social and political issues, as well as the German government’s relationship with the U.S. I’ll be able to use this knowledge and the new relationships created during this trip in my reporting moving forward.

Ryan Prior, The Century Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia 

My RIAS trip was a life-affirming reminder of so many of the reasons I entered journalism a decade ago: we are privileged with a front row seat to history, and we ourselves become a prism refracting and broadcasting those experiences to the world.

The 2023 alumni trip drilled down into many fundamental tenets of the German identity, and Bavaria’s unique contributions for good or ill: the nation’s most dominant football club in Bayern Munich, the legendary brewing and festivities of Oktoberfest, carmaking at BMW, and a nation reckoning with its conscience and the atrocities at Dachau.

For me, this paradox of storied regional tradition and futuristic global vision were best personified in our meeting with Green Party leader Katarina Scholze, a young female politician who dons traditional Bavarian dresses and campaigns in beer tents with a hopeful message channeling her formative years working on President Obama’s 2008 campaign. Her quest to preserve the best of German heritage and shepherd the nation toward an inclusive, sustainable future — all with the far-right party AfD nipping at her heels — is an apt metaphor for Bavaria’s enduring power in an increasingly globalized world.

The alumni program was a priceless opportunity to continue building transatlantic ties and forging a future vision for my career. I met with fellow alumni who’ve become adjunct professors, got to question Angela Merkel’s biographer, and had dinner with a young Brussels DPA correspondent covering the EU from a pan-European perspective. The trip made me feel fully alive, while being both challenged and rejuvenated. It can’t have happened without RIAS and I’ll be deeply grateful for many years to come.

Bryan Weakland, MSNBC, New York, New York

The 2023 RIAS Alumni program was an opportunity like no other for professional broadcast journalists. The VIP access to some of Germany’s top broadcast networks and political figures was unparalleled. Spending time in Cologne and Munich has helped to create lifelong connections with my German journalist counterparts. Not only have I learned an immense amount about German politics ahead of the Bavarian elections, I now have a network of new German journalists that I can reach out to when working on stories regarding their country and Europe overall. This kind of access and networking is invaluable and extremely unique thanks to the RIAS program. I walk away from this incredible experience with new understandings of German culture and politics. And I look forward to continuing the dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic with the lifelong relationships I’ve forged through RIAS

David Louie,  San Francisco, California 

The true value of RIAS is greatly enhanced by the alumni program. Having first participated in 2007, so much has changed in Germany. At that time, Germany was dealing with cultural and social issues arising from immigrant workers from Turkey. Now it faces a new wave from Ukraine. To see today how Turkish immigrants are now entrepreneurs with doner kebab stands (along with currywurst on the menu) and other ventures reflects progress in integration and opportunity. To have had a brief encounter with a Ukrainian couple on the U-Bahn reminded me how Germany is continuing to evolve into a more diverse society. 

On the media front, American media companies are dealing with the challenges of platform diversification and audience fragmentation. It was illuminating to hear from our German media partners how they are addressing these issues in creative ways, some of which have succeeded and others have not. 

As a longtime Silicon Valley tech reporter, the visits to BMW and to the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft und Raimfahrt were particularly impressive. The use of robotics in auto production has taken significant strides compared to what I saw in 2007 when we visited VW in Dresden. I was especially impressed by the space health research work. 

Best of all, it was so exciting to see how old traditions such as Oktoberfest are as celebrated by the young generation as their elders. The alumni experience to me was a valuable first-person update, long overdue, to reacquaint myself with an important ally on many fronts.

Brittany Silverstein, KABC, Los Angeles, California

I feel very lucky to have been selected for this RIAS Alumni experience. Last year at this time, I went as a fellow and it expanded my horizons. It made me a better person, both personally and professionally. This year’s trip further expanded my knowledge of Germany as we got to explore Bavaria. 

From meetings at BMW to a behind-the-scenes look at a brewery getting ready for Oktoberfest to conversations about religion at a Jewish synagogue, we really got to see different facets of Munich.  I really enjoyed our day at Oktoberfest, which still carries old traditions and embraces new ones as visitors come from around the world. 

Above all that, what I will remember the most is the people. I loved meeting and networking with other alumni and having good conversations about journalism.  It was also great connecting with Cologne and Munich chapter hosts, who welcomed us with open arms to show us their cities. And of course, our awesome speakers that took the time out of their busy schedules to host us for meetings.  I also have to give special thanks to everyone at RIAS for their help with the trip. Pam helped keep our group organized. And of course, I have to thank our fearless leader Erik Kirschbaum who worked endlessly to ensure we had the best experience possible… and with his guidance, we certainly did. 

For the last two years, what started as a journalism fellowship with RIAS has turned into so much more for me. I met my now fiancé on the trip last year.  I’ve made lifelong connections from both trips that feel like family. And now, I’m so excited and inspired to carry the torch and keep the Los Angeles RIAS chapter going.  

“Danke schön” for the memories… and let’s keep them going!

Tiffany Zeno, WNBC, New York, New York 

Getting perspectives unlike your own is not just refreshing as a journalist, it is necessary for professional growth. The experience of the 2023 RIAS Alumni trip did just that. It opened new doors to journalism, adventure, and travel. It showed that even though Americans and Germans are very different, we are so very similar. We are dealing with many of the same issues, same feelings and obstacles. That common ground is where we as journalists focus to help improve our communities, our countries and our world.    Opening the door is one thing. Being in the room is another. RIAS gives us a seat at the table. Coming out of that room, the diverse group of alumni fellows are more thoughtful. A trait that makes us better storytellers.  RIAS continues to lay the foundation of openness, diversity, thoughtfulness, and truth. That’s why I am proud to say that “I AM RIAS”.

Thomas Demane, KTLA, Los Angeles, California   

The 2023 RIAS alumni program to Cologne and Munich opened my eyes to realize just how similar our countries are, despite being so far apart. From religious to political issues… from social to climate issues… I gained a profound sense of understanding where Germany stands on things compared to the similar struggles in the U.S. I am forever grateful how this program has brought Brittany and I together, and it also has immensely expanded my network with new friends in all aspects of journalism.. whether it be at TV, radio, digital, print or in the university setting. It was refreshing to see where journalism is today through the eyes of our network, and the leaders we spoke with. At the same token, it was also refreshing to see how journalism is transforming before our eyes for the future. Thank you again, Erik and RIAS team, for another amazing, life-enriching program. Looking forward to many more RIAS programs in the years to come!

Erika Angulo, NBC News, New York, New York 

I’m grateful to everyone who made the RIAS alumni September 2023 reunion in Cologne and Munich possible.

By bringing a diverse American group together with German journalists, organizers helped us learn from each other.  We shared our experiences with reporting challenges, including the growth of AI, distrust in media and diminishing interest in war coverage. 

We met with leaders on opposite sides of the political spectrum like the head of the Bavarian State Chancellery Florian Herrmann and the Bavarian state parliament member Katharina Schulze of the Green Party. Everyone we spoke with was generous with their time despite being busy with campaigning for the upcoming elections. 

Opportunities to chat directly with lawmakers helped us discuss similar  problems our countries face, like the struggle to help migrants without putting too much pressure on local infrastructure. We learned Germany is able to expedite the asylum seeking process to just a few months while the same process in the U.S. takes years. 

During our time in Germany it was evident that through face-to-face conversations the RIAS program helps build bridges between our two countries.

Adam Reiss, NBC, New York, New York

 The Alumni trip to Cologne and Munich was something I will never forget. From the BMW factory with its futuristic manufacturing process to the modern Jewish museum in the heart of Munich where I found my roots. The background briefings at the various media outlets were very informative and the story of the political leader who had a satchel with Nazi writings was a fascinating story that I want to learn more about. We were very lucky to meet the political leaders and hear their frank explanation of their personal and political lives. Who can forget Oktoberfest? It absolutely blew my mind. I had never seen anything of this magnitude and excitement. The Paulaner group were incredibly generous and it was a pleasure meeting their staff and learning about the history of their brewery.  Our group was cohesive, friendly, and interested in learning and I reconnected with old friends and made new ones both American and German and these are pals for a lifetime. Finally, as I have said many times, Erik Kirschbaum is a great leader. He accomplishes the impossible guiding us through the week of events and keeping us together on a common mission. He’s passionate and always has more to add to educate and give context. Thank you RIAS for a wonderful trip and for allowing me to be a part of this organization.

Lucy Himstedt, Evansville, Indiana 

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is something to be treasured. That was the case for me when invited to participate in the 1999 RIAS Berlin program. To be asked to join again nearly 25 years later was quite unexpected and appreciated. 

The 1999 experience was my first trip to Europe. It was then that I started paying more attention to the issues of our world outside our borders. As we have become increasingly global, I truly appreciate the confidence it gave me to say “yes” to other possibilities, such as an exchange in Ukraine which obviously proved important 18 months ago.  

Many of this year’s experiences were directly relevant to me. It was interesting to see how the BMW facility operates as we have an economically important Toyota plant in our market. Evansville has a large German presence including our Germania Mannerchor social club and singing group, a Fall Festival akin to a baby Oktoberfest, and a Volksfest. The opportunity to experience Oktoberfest first hand was not only fun, but eye opening regarding logistics.

We are also home to two museums stemming from our role in building LSTs and P-47 Thunderbolts during WWII, including the only seaworthy LST in existence. Our visit to Dachau was a sobering reminder that these parts of my community represent a real and tragic time in our shared history.

Most of all, the chance to be a part of this year’s alumni program reminds me that everything good and bad in our world often gets down to relationships – how they’re cultivated, nurtured, and appreciated. I appreciate all of you for your hard work in bringing our shared world together through education and experience.

Joel Waldinger, PBS Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin    

The 2023 RIAS alumni program afforded me an opportunity to delve deeper into German politics on a regional level. The Bavarian elections are a microcosm of the much larger national issues like immigration, Ukraine, etc. The extremes that are evident in U.S. politics are also having an impact in Germany. It is interesting to see how that will play out and what trend lines continued after the last federal elections in 2021. As one Bavarian said, we are German but yet, we are different, and it was interesting to see that dynamic in Munich. It was also great to reconnect with old and new friends alike who are part of the German RIAS Network. Thank you for the opportunity.

Kristin Emery, KDKA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  

My RIAS journey began back in 1994 and has continued into a fourth decade involving incredible exchange journeys to Germany from just after reunification to hosting nearly 10 German journalists at local stations in three different states over twenty years and return trips including this alumni gathering. Each experience has been enriching, educational and has fed my mind and soul. You never know where life will take you and I could not have imagined being involved with a better group of journalism professionals. Thank you to the RIAS board, staff and the Cologne and Munich chapters for making this trip possible and amazing. From meeting BMW executives to addressing the upcoming elections and the war in Ukraine to learning logistics of the billion-dollar generating Oktoberfest, this was a wonderful opportunity. 

David Wagner, San Angelo, Texas

First let me say that people are what make this program. From the RIAS board and staff…to the amazing Germans and Americans who take time to speak to participants…to the journalists who are lucky enough to be chosen to participate. 

I first heard about RIAS when I was an anchor, however we all know how it is getting consecutive weeks off in the broadcast business. 

So, when I became a News Director in 2011 and then joined the RTDNA board I was reminded of the program and was humbled to be chosen in the fall of 2019. Those two weeks changed so much for me professionally and personally, being that it was my first trip abroad. My colleague and I shot a short documentary while on the program, and were humbled to win the RIAS media prize. 

Then being selected for this year’s Alumni program was really the icing on the cake. Even before touching down in Germany other alums, who I had not met previously, reached out and we began connecting to talk travel plans etc.

Returning to a city we stopped in on the initial program allowed me to see people I had met in 2019. 

Then seeing a new and completely different German community really helped me to understand how diverse the country really is, similar to the United States. The two Alumni chapters in Cologne and Munich really outdid themselves getting us some amazing and insightful appointments, while showing us the differences in their communities. RIAS will always hold a special place in my heart because of the friendships I’ve made from Germany and those who live in states across the US. So again ALL the people who take part in this program are what makes it the very best!

Katherine Bennett, CNN, Atlanta, Georgia 

I am truly blessed and honored to be a part of the RIAS Berlin program. The experiences and connections I have made through RIAS are truly priceless. 

The alumni program is the backbone of the organization. We help organize and support many of the programs the professional journalists experience. Last year I hosted a journalist from Germany and will help fellow broadcaster Faith host a journalist in Atlanta again this year. Many other RIAS alum across the U.S. and Germany also organize local programs – which are critical to the organization’s growth and development. I am thankful that RIAS supports us in these endeavors. 

I look forward to many more positive years with this organization and meeting and reconnecting with RIAS journalists.

Tyler “TJ” Speicher, Executive Director, Content & Global Operations, WMVision International, Slovenia 

Experiences. 

That’s what journalists are meant to convey to their listeners, viewers, or readers. 

What they experienced. 

And the last 6 days in München for me were just that: An Experience. 

In a city I hadn’t visited in almost 15 years, and one I now live a few hours away from, I had some that I could never have experienced had it not been for the exceptionally hard work of the RIAS München Alumni Chapter. They truly went above and beyond to share their city with us. From politics on both sides of the spectrum, to sports, to how the news business is changing, to…well…BIER, I cannot express enough my gratitude to Susan, Maren, Gregor, & Sven, (and anyone else I missed) for connecting us with Paulaner, BMW (still waiting for my free sample!), FC Bayern München (thanks to honorary member Louisa; Mia San Mia), the CSU, the Greens, Suddeutscher Zeitung, and the Bayrischer Landtag. We saw what goes into protecting and feeding all the revelers at Oktoberfest. And the engineering required to keep that Oktoberfest Märzen the perfect temperature as it goes from tank to tap to Mass to consumer. And I know they were all proud to show us their hometown, having shared experiences with them in mine. To say we had too many sessions to choose from is not a bad thing!

Others have also discussed the connections we have via the RIAS program. And those, too, are some of the most important things we take home from our week in Germany. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet this group in Köln, one of my favorite cities to walk. Instead, I met these folks at the Hotel Obermaier. To say we coalesced quickly, between those I knew and those I was just getting to know, would be an understatement. I’ve made life-long friends in RIAS before, and I continue to do so today. And connections are always important in our field, as someone knows someone who knows someone who can give you a hand, a source, or some content.

So as I return to my “new” life in Europe, I again say auf Wiedersehen to my RIAS friends and family, knowing full well we’ll be across a table singing “Ein Prosit” again before we all know it. Oans, zwoa…

Ryan Burrow, WGN, Chicago, Illinois 

When anyone asks what my favorite part of this RIAS alumni trip was, my brain tangles into knots before I clumsily blurt out…”uh…everything!”  

The truth is every moment of the nine day trip I was learning, exploring, or connecting in a way that will benefit my own understanding and career.

Every topic we discussed gave me a fresh perspective on my own community (Chicago Cardinal Blasé Cupich is actually viewed as conservative in German standards, especially on LGBTQ rights).

Every place we visited offered a better understanding of life and media in Germany and the world (While crime and courts lead discussions in Chicago, Germans are focused on rising rents and energy costs).

Every bus and train ride or meal with a fellow journalist offered a refreshed view on media outside my Chicago bubble (Gregor, I need you to talk with my company about A.I. ASAP!).

The RIAS team also helped me set up a series of interviews for my Olympics podcast I’ll be rolling out over the next month.

I head back to Chicago armed with a fresh perspective on politics, immigration, energy costs, religion, aerospace, cannabis, public transit, the auto industry, crime, education, labor, Ukraine, beer brewing, sports, and the media industry. I also have infinite new story ideas to share with my team, a dozen new contacts, 30+ new friends from the U.S. and Germany…and a surprising expertise on lederhosen and dirndl fashion.

Picking one single event, conversation or sight as my favorite is a hopeless endeavor. So, yeah…uh…everything!

Dean Kurth, Fox News, New York, New York

As a mid-career broadcast journalist, the RIAS alumni program in Cologne and Munich came at the perfect time to remind me why I got into this business in the first place and inspire me to approach my work with a renewed sense of purpose. RIAS programs an extensive and wide-ranging agenda providing unprecedented access to various media professionals and politicians. But it also brings  together an incredible group of talented journalists whose professionalism, passion and integrity I will aspire to back in my newsroom in the months and years ahead. The unique and varied RIAS experiences are above and beyond any of the media networking events and journalism conferences I’ve attended in the past, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of such an esteemed, accomplished and FUN group of people. I will be watching and supporting RIAS in any way I can as it continues to support and unify journalists in the ever-changing media landscape.

Jessica Prater, CNN, New York, New York 

During my first RIAS program in 2018 I met American and German journalists that became an important part of my professional network. Over the years, we kept in touch through social media, zoom calls and email. However, this 2023 Alumni program helped strengthen those bonds even more. The alumni program also gave me experiences that I would only be able to do through RIAS.

A few personal highlights:

I enjoyed meeting with the political science students from the University of Bonn. It was great to speak with the inquisitive young men with bright minds. Their knowledge of American political systems was also impressive.

Meeting Birgit Wentzien, the Editor in Chief of Deutschlandfunk was also something I will cherish. I was expecting this to be more of a lecture and her telling us about her life. However, it ended up being a roundtable discussion of us sharing the issues we are both facing in the newsroom such as increasing diversity and working to capture younger audiences without neglecting the old faithful.  This exchange was just as beneficial to her as it was to us. It was great to have that dialogue.

I also must mention I was very impressed by Bavaria’s Greens Party leader Katharina Schulze as she gears up for the October 8th election!

Oktoberfest was mind-blowing!  It was fascinating to go behind-the- scenes with Paulaner Brewery and discovering what Oktoberfest means to Bavaria far exceeded any of my expectations. This was also a great moment for the German journalists to show us their culture and why they take so much pride in the celebration.

 I must say, my most special moments of the program came from mingling with my fellow journalists and sharing newsroom struggles and challenges. Grabbing coffee together or exchanging resources while having breakfast was most beneficial to me. What RIAS proves is we are more alike than different. I’m so happy to be a part of this alumni program and look forward to working with RIAS in the future.

Maggie Kerkman, Fox News Channel, Dallas, Texas

Traveling to Germany on a RIAS trip is a study in similarities and contrasts.

It’s a window into how another country maintains a multiparty system, but as in the US, struggles with a divided electorate and the threat of extremists. It’s also a thought provoker- as our country faces shutdown – would our legislature be more apt to work together and compromise if parties needed to make deals just to get and maintain power?

Some of the issues facing both countries are eerily similar. Front and center is immigration. I could have been at a press conference with a US Mayor or Governor when I heard about the increasing number of asylum seekers, concerns about caring for them all and frustration with the federal government— and home countries not accepting returned migrants.

On the lighter side- there’s Oktoberfest. It felt a bit like the enormous Texas State Fair, but with huge beer halls. A trip to the police office proved fascinating. Police officers were in a room watching high tech cameras aimed at crowds in locations all over the Wiesen. Officers were zooming in and out and around. Yet later we learned that video and others like it could not generally be released to the media, a marked contrast to the US where police departments routinely release body cam and other video – both to assist with crime solving or to provide transparency.

Our colleagues in the media provided a similar comparison / contrast. We heard about declining audiences and the attempt to attract younger audiences and making workflows more “synergistic.” It sounded familiar to many of us in the audience. But we also walked through big bright workspaces that seemed like they could be home to a tech startup, the least of which would be better than any newsroom I’ve ever worked in.

The head of the RIAS program says he hopes it opens eyes— for sure it has done that. We see Germany but also ourselves more clearly.

Jeremy Chen, WVIT,  Hartford, Connecticut

It was again an honor to be part of this year’s alumni group in Cologne and Munich. The conversations that were had during this week were absolutely enlightening and also showed the changing dynamics in a distinct German state, Bavaria and the overall media landscape.

Whether it was exploring the directions public broadcasters are looking to take with more digital offerings while adjusting for current staffing to the importance Oktoberfest is for the Munich and Bavarian economy, it all left a memorable impression on me.

The care Germans have for the quality of journalism, especially on the TV side is especially evident, with allowing for more in-depth pieces, and reporters being able to be paired with crews everyday to accomplish the very foundation of what we do, inform the public. I hope to take these aspects and bring them back to America.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

Bonnie North, American Public Media Group, Saint Paul, Minnesota 

Why do we travel? To have fun, sure. But I would say even more to take ourselves out of our everyday lives – to understand, even a little bit, how others see the world.

The RIAS programs are travel on steroids. When I go on these trips (this was my third), my world expands. It takes me weeks to fully absorb everything I learn during the one week we have together. There is no other program I’m aware of that gives journalists access to so much.

From talks with politicians to unique cultural experiences, RIAS gives me insight into how Germans live: how they think, what’s important to them domestically and globally, what they think of the United States, how they celebrate and have fun. This all makes me a better global citizen and a better journalist, and I bring all of that back to my work here.

The German RIAS chapter members go above and beyond to make these brilliant opportunities possible for us. I can’t thank them enough. Additionally, the informal conversations we have with them about journalism are equally important. It’s reassuring we’re facing many of the same issues in our rapidly changing profession. After these chats, I’m more confident we’ll find good solutions to those issues.

Cultural exchange between ordinary citizens has always been a crucial way to advance understanding between peoples. We are a tribal species and it’s all too easy to stay in our safe bubbles. RIAS is a bracing antidote to cultural complacency and lazy thinking. Long may it wave.

Joe Sampson, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

RIAS has a long history of providing participants with unmatched access to German policy makers, industry leaders and working journalists. That proved to be true once again during the September 2023 alumni program in Cologne and Munich as American guests enjoyed visits to newsrooms in both cities, enriching and candid conversations with members of the CSU and Green parties (as they campaigned for seats in the upcoming Bavarian government elections), along with visits to the famed BMV assembly line in and the famous Paulaner brewery during Oktoberfest in Munich.

And yet for me, the quieter moments proved most rewarding and proof of the wide range of lessons to be learned through active listening. A small group gathered at a synagogue in Munich where RIAS alums learned about the progress made and work yet to be done to improve relations between Germans and Judaism . In Cologne during a visit to the German Space Institute, we saw firsthand how at a time of increased global isolation, countries are working together to advance science and technology for the betterment of our shared planet. And for this American educator, a visit to DJS- Germany’s oldest and most widely respected journalism school proved most impactful. Hearing young German journalism students reflect on democracy’s fragility  and journalism’s role in meeting its needs- was especially meaningful and inspiring. Those sentiments now fuel me as I return to my teaching duties at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. My sincere thanks to RIAS for these remarkable opportunities

Jill Konopka, Mower Agency, Albany, New York 

15 years after I was accepted as a RIAS fellow in Berlin, in 2008, I was invited back to the alumni program. Our trip to Cologne and Munich was beyond anything I ever could have imagined, and absolutely life changing.

The connections made with fellow Americans and German journalists will help both personally and professionally (and already has). I feel extremely grateful to have been part of a group of such prestigious humans, folks who are insatiably curious, intelligent, thought provoking and diverse in their backgrounds and thought process.

I am still in awe by the time and attention provided to us RIAS fellows, from German politicians in the midst of aggressive campaigning and time running out gearing up for the elections in Bavaria. Hearing parties’ different perspectives and how the government operates in Germany was fascinating and a wonderful learning experience. I think 15 years later, I was able to digest so much more from this trip, having had life experience in between and the foundation laid from my first RIAS trip to Berlin in 2008.

That was also the time I visited the VW plant in Dresden, and the comparison of plant operations there 15 years ago to today, at BMW headquarters in Munich was eye opening. Watching a mostly robotic assembly line in action put plant operations in 2023 into perspective. BMW is so symbolic to Germany and I learned a great deal about how important it is that they continue to be a good neighbor, as they work to update plant operations in a difficult and tedious way.

Having experienced Oktoberfest was my favorite leg of our journey. I loved the culture, people and pride of Oktoberfest. I loved meeting with top brass at the Munich police station and learning about what it takes to keep festival goers safe and secure throughout the duration of the event. As if that wasn’t enough, we also got a rare inside look of the kitchen and beer areas and learned more about the seamless operations keeping festival goers happy. I was amazed by how easy the Germans make it look and how much fun everyone was having in such a crowded yet calm environment.

I had signed up for another session before I found myself accidentally with a group heading to a Jewish synagogue in Munich and meeting with the Director of Communications. Wow, looking back I am so grateful for this opportunity. Hearing about the issues still facing the Jewish community today, in 2023 was eye opening. And I left having gained a much better understanding of the tremendous amount of work still happening within the Jewish community.

I leave so inspired by our German counterparts. How Germans don’t rush things like Americans do. How they are resourceful, strategic and thoughtful in the way they approach work, politics and life. And the fact is many Germans seem to know more about the U.S. than some Americans do. This inspires me to do and be better going forward. Thank you, RIAS!

Terry Anzur, Palm Beach County, Florida 

Ever since I began hosting German journalists in the 1990s, RIAS has enriched my life and career path in countless ways. Over the years the top-of-mind issues have shifted from the legacy of World War II and the Cold War to European integration, migration and the environment. The 2023 alumni trip took us from the resilient spires of Cologne’s cathedral and the lofty frontiers of space exploration to the political landscape of Bavarian elections and the historic cultural tradition of Oktoberfest. I even had the opportunity to share the story of a German Jewish immigrant who played a transformational role in the development of TV news in the USA. But the core of RIAS remains the friendship we forge with our fellow journalists, both German and American. The growing alumni network builds a foundation of open minds, open doors and open hearts that is much needed in our changing media landscape. It is an honor to be part of RIAS and promote its benefits to the next generation of aspiring journalists.

Marilyn Geewax, Industry Fellow at University of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia  

Once again, RIAS has given me an opportunity to deepen my understanding of US-German relations, and I am very appreciative. 

No matter how many articles I have read about the difficulties facing the German auto industry, nothing could beat our in-person visit to BMW HQ. Touring that immense factory was a valuable experience for any journalist trying to understand the pressures facing the global auto industry.

And by traveling with the alumni group, I was able to connect with other journalists who have moved into the field of journalism education – or who are considering the switch. We were able to share teaching tips and explore the pros and cons of working as an adjunct professor.  

This RIAS trip also provided me with a chance to expand my knowledge of Bavaria’s history – both good and bad. By attending Oktoberfest and then walking around Marienplatz and the Hofgarten, I could see the beauty and charm of this key German city. And then by visiting both Dachau and the Nazi Documentation Center, I could more deeply absorb the lessons of history.

This was an extraordinary trip, and I am grateful.

Buzz Conover, Arizona Public Media, Tucson, Arizona 

RIAS is an experience that can fundamentally change the way a person views the world.  In 2002, I attended my first RIAS trip and my eyes were opened not to the differences between Germany and the United States but to the similarities.  In the area of journalism, I quickly learned that it is really the same all over.  We are all striving for the same thing, truth and the passing along of information.

But the real value of RIAS comes in the discovery of context.  In 2019, I produced a 30-minute radio show on immigration in Germany.  That show won the RIAS Media Prize but what was more satisfying to me was the comments I still receive from listeners in Arizona.  They were amazed to learn that the struggles to deal with immigrants, assimilation, and new cultures were not unique to the area.  The listener’s eyes were opened to the reality that we are all tied together and can learn from one another.

Friendships are also a big part of the RIAS experience.  I now count German journalists I have met and hosted as friends and colleagues.  I know that I can turn to them with questions about what is going on in the world and they can do the same with me.  

The student programs, which I have participated in as a host, are equally as valuable as we work to prepare the next generation of journalists.  It helps open their eyes early in their careers to the importance of collaboration and understanding of other  cultures.

RIAS is truly a life altering program and I will always be a strong supporter of the program.

Debbie Block, Voice of America, Washington DC

I am very grateful to have attended another RIAS program that has allowed me to be part of an exchange program that has made me a better international reporter for Voice of America, especially when I am including information regarding Germany in my stories. 

This alumni program, in particular, has given me additional insight into the current political situation and thinking in Germany, especially concerning the Bavarian elections.  I gained more knowledge on where the parties in Germany stand on various issues, especially regarding Ukraine and immigration. I found it fascinating to learn which politicians and parties are in agreement on these issues and those that are far apart.  What comes across to me is the influence Germany has on immigration in Europe, and perhaps concerning Ukraine as well.  

I also learned a lot during other parts of the program, such as during my visit to the German Space Agency, where an enthusiastic microbiologist told us he was looking forward to the day when he could examine dirt from Mars.  And while touring the BMW plant, as well as the Paulaner Brewery, both of which were very interesting, I gained more knowledge about Germany economically.

I also appreciated getting a better understanding of the culture of Bavaria during the Octoberfest celebrations. When I did an interview with a representative from Paulaner, he provided a heartwarming explanation about the importance of Octoberfest to his heritage. 

I think the alumni program is important because it allows seasoned journalists to continue getting a more in-depth view of Germany by coming to the country.  And also, importantly, to maintain  friendships with both American and German journalists, as well as making new friends. Thank you RIAS. 

RIAS Accompanying Official

Erik Kirschbaum, Executive Director RIAS Berlin Commission, Berlin 

The idea that led to the creation of the RIAS Berlin Commission alumni programs started innocently enough with an innocuous question at RIAS Berlin commission board meeting a few years ago — when a senior diplomat at the USA embassy in Berlin and RIAS board member asked my predecessor: “Can you do more for the alumni?“ A few months later, when it was suddenly my job as the newly elected executive director to come up with answers to that, that I came up with an idea to tap into the enthusiasm across Germany and the USA for RIAS. 

And that’s how these energy-filled RIAS alumni programs started. Instead of taking the usual smaller groups of 10 or 12 journalists, now about 30 or more former participants come together for one packed week of meetings to explore what is going on in Germany or the USA these days or explore what has changed since they first took part in a full fellowship years or decades earlier.  The alumni members cover about half the costs themselves, paying their airfare from their own pockets to help keep costs to a minimum, and thus make it possible to put together these really ambitious educational programs for 30 people instead of just 10 or 12. 

On paper, it all sounded like a reasonable idea with some potential. But in reality, it has turned out to be infinitely more interesting, more valuable, and more enriching for the participants — and me too — than I would have ever imagined. Because they come so hungry to learn new things about Germany, because they already have a good understanding about how challenging the RIAS programs are, and because they are so eager to network amongst themselves and with our German-based alumni, the RIAS alumni programs have turned into a thoroughly enjoyable and deeply rewarding experience for the participants themselves and for the organizers as well. There is no shortage of new connections, new friendships and new ideas. 

And these six alumni programs since 2019 have also greatly helped strengthen our alumni networks that are so eager to return something to RIAS by hosting visiting Americans or Germans, by helping put together even better programs for the next group of visiting Americans or Germans, and to really stay connected to the RIAS Berlin Commission network. 

Thanks to the 32 Americans who traveled with me around and from Cologne to Munich and around Munich all last week to learn more about Germany — and themselves. It was a joy to be part of this.