Max Kade German House
Max Kade House, officially known as Deutsches Haus or German House, is a Program House on the Oberlin College campus for students interested in learning and speaking German. This residence hall is closely connected with the Department of German Studies and other related programs.
We encourage German majors to live in Max Kade House, where German is spoken regularly and where they can plan and participate in extracurricular activities related to German language, culture, and customs. You can enhance your studies, practice your language skills, and increase your cultural knowledge through the varied academic and cultural offerings. These programs often include lectures, concerts, receptions, games. Most activities are open to the campus and larger Oberlin community.
Director of Max Kade House: Olesya Ivantsova
How is German House different from other spaces?
Max Kade House is a German immersion environment. Students who choose to reside here have the opportunity to interact daily and converse in German. Our residents communicate in German in the residence halls’ common spaces during formal and informal events such as guest lectures, film screenings, readings and book talks, special meals, and other gatherings. Students may also converse in German while sharing a meal in Stevenson Dining Hall, Lord Saunders Dining Hall, and at the Local coffee shop.
It’s not all about the language …
In addition to the activities organized by the academic department, each resident is encouraged to organize, either individually or as part of a group, at least one cultural, academic, or social activity related to German culture and language. The event may be conducted in English or German. The house also has a library with more than 1,000 German texts, board games, and German language videos.
If you think you want to live for a time in the Max Kade House, you must complete an application , available through the Office of Residential Education. You also must be able to speak some German. Whether novice or fluent, a resident or student visitor, all are welcome at Max Kade House.
