Farewell from Visiting Researcher Patrick Graur

From September to December 2025, I had the great fortune to be a Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University’s German Department. The exchange came about primarily through contact with Dr. Friederike Eigler, who was a guest at the Research Training Group “Literature and the Public Sphere” at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg as an international partner. Autumn 2025 was basically the perfect time for my stay because the annual GSA conference was taking place in neighboring Arlington, VA, and a major conference on the topic of “What’s Work” was being held – I was very fortunate to be able to present my work at both events.

In general, I am interested in intercultural and sociological questions relating to German-language literature. Specifically, my dissertation deals with the Aktionsgruppe Banat, a German-language literary group in socialist Romania in the 1970s and 1980s, and questions of collaboration and engagement in the context of oppressive political systems. In addition to conferences, I was also able to present my work at a lecture at the department. The department’s research focus on migration studies and intercultural German literature provided an ideal opportunity for exchange.

I was also very lucky to be in DC during a time when the city and its surroundings take on a very special atmosphere due to the numerous holidays. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to the Christmas season, I was not only able to experience this side of US-American culture, but also enjoy many wonderful celebrations, gatherings, and conversations thanks to the great personal relationships I formed at the department. Both socially and professionally, I couldn’t have imagined a more inspiring stay as a visiting researcher. Thank you to all the exchange students, PhD students, professors, and all the staff in general who made this possible!