Over Here, Over There

Having something for long a time one could start thinking, rightly or wrongly, that it is yours. The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, are Greek sculptures that have been housed in the British Museum for more than 200 years. As Claudia explains, the Marbles were taken controversially from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. It is believed they were forcibly removed and sold to the British government, sparking a debate that continues to this day. This is a classic 'Over Here, Over There' issue about how the Greek and British governments each view this intractable matter. But let's leave it to Claudia to offer a solution and tell us why it is important not only to these two countries but to world heritage. 

Travel broadens the mind, they say. Combined with study, it provides an incredible opportunity for personal development and forms a powerful differentiator in one's career and life, including the benefits to one's own country and the international community. However, to many students, studying abroad may seem like an unobtainable goal because of the perceived cost and challenges. In this episode, hosts Claudia Koestler and Dan Harris discuss the benefits and the 'how to's' of studying abroad with Dr. Jonah Otto, International Relations Director, Research and Teaching Fellow,  and Director of Internationalization Development and Incoming Exchange at the University of Augsburg in Germany. They discuss many of the questions that weigh on students' minds when considering making the seemingly big decision to go abroad.  Dr. Otto dispels the view that studying abroad is only for the affluent and high achievers and that any student in good standing has the opportunity to study abroad with only marginal additional cost, if any. As Dr. Otto explains, there is more financial and educational support available than students may realize to make studying overseas a reality. This episode is packed with useful information, both practical and inspirational, on the value international education brings to both students and society, which is not to be missed. Enjoy!Dr. Jonah Otto's profile: LinkedInResearchGate University of AugsburgUniversity's International officeFaculty's international office Study Abroad Programs:Study in GermanyErasmus FulbrightState University of New York at Brockport, Center for Global Education & EngagementLondon School of Economics and Political Science

The rise of extremist movements throughout the world is nothing new. However, their power and influence in Western democracies is particularly startling, especially in the bastion of such a stable democracy as Germany, whose political and economic strength so many throughout Europe rely on. This is why it is hard to fathom, Claudia Koestler states, why a critical mass of her fellow countrymen and women are turning to right-wing parties like the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland ). It's easy to be dismissive of such movements, but the rise of extremism has been building over the years and has now gained power and influence, becoming a fixture on the political landscape at the local, regional, and national levels. The alarm bells are now ringing and millions have taken to the streets to support their democratic way of life.  But are the recent protests against the AfD throughout Germany going to be effective in turning back the tide of right-wing extremism? Hear how Claudia questions the motives and efficacy of these demonstrations and who they're aimed at. While it may not change the minds of many die-hard AfD supporters, Claudia argues that it will send an important signal across Germany and the world that values, freedom, and democracy are the core of Western society and worth standing up for.

Tune in to hear how different Monday mornings are from your town or city as Claudia makes her way to work in her Alpine splendor in Bavaria. Some things may be familiar, but the breathtaking landscape certainly helps distract her from the Monday morning blues. So, if you're listening to this on your way to work in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, New York City,  Berlin, or Sydney, just imagine - with Claudia's help - what it would be like to be among the snow-capped mountains, frosty air, and pristine lakes of this beautiful Alpine region. But remember to keep your eyes on the road! Enjoy.

The death of Russian political activist and freedom rights campaigner Alexei Navalny stunned the world for its open brazenness at the hands of Vladimir Putin and his government. There is little doubt that Putin was responsible for Navalny's death, although a Russian court of law will no doubt never adjudicate on the manner.  Navalny's death leaves Russia without a significant opposition leader, but how much of an impact will it have on Putin's regime and Russia's relationship, if there is still one that can be called that, with the US and its Western allies? It is not only a great tragedy for his immediate family, friends and supporters but also serves as an inflexion point at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with the prospects of victory for either side in Russia's war with Ukraine still in the balance. Over Here, Over There is honoured to discuss the impact of Navalny's death on Russia and the West with Dr Neil MacFarlane, former Head of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University and an expert on Russian foreign policy and the regional dynamics of the former Soviet Union.  Dr. MacFarlane's academic career included positions in the United States and Canada. Beyond Oxford, among many other posts, he was a Faculty Associate of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and held a visiting appointment at the College of Europe in Bruges. Please join us for an engaging and informative conversation with Dr MacFarlane and insight into what lies ahead for Putin and his regime's relationship with the West. 

'Life is too short to learn German', said Oscar Wilde. And even for a native German speaker, it does have its challenges. Over Here, Over There podcast co-host Claudia Koestler takes you through the quirky nuances and daunting tongue-twisters that give credence to Wilde's perspective. Still, it can be rather amusing to hear a German word that is as long as a football pitch or another that captures the tone and feeling that only the preciseness that the German language can do. Enjoy (Genießen)! Here are some of the German words that Claudia mentions that are particularly challenging for non-native and, in some cases, native speakers alike. Ulpe(germanised Icelandic for jacket)Zwanzig (which means twenty)Brötchen (bread roll)Schleswig Holstein (a federal state in Germany)Quietscheente (rubber duck, Squeaky duck)Quietscheentchen (its diminutive form)Streichholzschächtelchen (little matchbox, but literally translated as draw wood along a little box)Warmduscher (literally "warm or hot showerer"; figuratively, it refers to those who don't want to extend themselves beyond their comfort zone; also, 'wimp')Schattenparker (similar to Warmduscher, literally 'Shadow Parker')Weichei (similar to Warmduscher, literally 'soft egg')Hüftgold (meaning hip gold. A word to describe excess fat in the hip area.Verschlimmbesserung (an intended improvement that only make things worse)Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (Federal Training Assistance Act)Personenkraftwagenhaftpflichtversicherung: (passenger car liability insurance)Grundstücksverkehrsgenehmigungszuständigkeitsübertragungsverordnung (real estate transfer authorization ordinance)Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeit (food intolerance) Fremdschämen (a feeling of embarrassment for another person)Auspuffrohr (exhaust pipe)Donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft (Danube steamship electricity main works construction sub-civil servant company)Eichhörnchen (squirrel) Oachkatzlschwoaf (Bavarian dialect version of a specific part of the squirrel recently voted the most unpronounceable word in the world, which translates to tail of a squirrel)English words that Claudia and other Germans find hard to pronounce (and English speakers to spell!):SpontaneityPhenomenonWorcesterWorcestershire (as in the England county and sauce)

'There's no place like home', said Dorothy in one of the most famous final lines in cinematic history in The Wizard of Oz. The concept of home has intrigued writers, scholars, travelers, artists, soldiers, students, and every human being who has ever walked the planet.  So it has with Claudia as she prepares to leave a place she has called home for twenty-seven years and start anew somewhere else. She explores the uniqueness of the German meaning of Heimat, which its closest equivalent in English is 'homeland'. Claudia doesn't break out into 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', but you will want to listen to how she explores the usage of Heimat over time in Germany and asks listeners to think of the visceral and poignant nature of its meaning in their language and to humanity.

Our special guest has risen from relative obscurity over the past three years to be recognised by fans across a crowded New York City street. Such is the worldwide popularity of the TV show The Great British Bake-off, which he won in 2021, under stiff competition, and now is climbing the name recognition ladder, which – who knows? – may lead him to be a household name like ‘Gordon' Ramsey, ‘Jamie’ Oliver, or one of his GBB predecessors ‘Nadiya’ Hussain. I’m speaking about, of course, Giuseppe, Giuseppe Dell’Anno. If you watched the series, you may have gleaned that he is a man of many talents, which we’ll discuss, of course, but we’ll be concentrating mostly on his skills as a top-notch baker and his mastery of, and passion for, Italian cuisine and culture. And as we can attest, Giuseppe is also one of the nicest people one can meet. Avanti!

In this episode, Claudia Koestler considers the 'Over Here, Over There' aspects of politeness and kindness in Germany relative to her experiences abroad. She provides three anecdotes that highlight the friendliness, or lack thereof, and unfeeling directness that make her wistfully remember how it was done 'over there'.  An interesting perspective from a frequent international traveler about her countrymen and women. 

Bavaria's Sundays are slower than the rest of Germany and many other countries. Most public and private organizations are closed, which has its plusses and minuses. It's a matter of personal choice, Claudia says, but - spoiler alert! - for those wanting to get things done, she likes how Sundays are managed elsewhere. OHOT will be bringing more episodes in different formats with international and celebrity guests. Exciting and engaging topics that our audiences have told us they want to hear about. So stay tuned, spread the word, and don't forget to subscribe!

In a world of increasingly scarce resources, it's important to understand and maximize one of the most important of them all: food. In this engaging and informative episode, we speak with German TV presenter, broadcaster, and science journalist Dirk Steffens, who with his filmmaker, director, science journalist, and biologist wife Sabine, work together to help save the planet by advocating smarter and more effective consumption and production of food. Dirk Steffens  is best known for his work in the field of nature andscience documentaries. He has hosted and contributed to various television programs, particularly those related to environmental conservation, wildlife and natural history. We hope he won ́t mind us saying it, but you can think of him as the German David Attenborough. One of Steffens` most notable roles is as a presenter of the popular German documentary series "Terra X", which covers a wide range of topics related to science and the natural world. Now Dirk and Sabine have a new project on the go, Geo Films, that is setto reach new dimensions. In films, books, and social media, they dedicatethemselves to the big issues to raise awareness of how we can tackleenvironmental problems and protect our planet. But they do so not bydepressing us with the negative aspects of food consumption and production. They have traveled the world and found truly positive, unique, and unexpected ideas and solutions that enable us to do so without restrictions or limitations. The solutions the two found are not only surprisingly easy for everyone to take on and protect the environment, but also save you time and money, too. Listen in to find out how you and the rest of the world can benefit from their important work. 

In the 'Over Here, Over There' podcast, we discuss our differences across borders and divides and how we can learn from them. In this episode, we hear two different perspectives from Germany and the United States regarding the most influential figure in US foreign policy since World War II. The recent passing of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stopped many people of a certain generation in their tracks. Kissinger dominated US foreign policy during some of the most difficult times of the Cold War. His consummate statecraft, boundless energy, and prodigious talents and intelligence were greatly admired. However, his use of power politics during the Vietnam War and support for authoritarian regimes earned him many critics, despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973. Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor at the Süddeutsche Zeitung, discusses with political and current affairs commentator Dan Harris, Kissinger's legacy from fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938 to his long career and life in the US.

In her recent point of view episode about the recent German elections, Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor at the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany's leading national daily, comments on the significant rise of right-wing parties. Is there any hope of stemming this rising tide? Claudia does her best not to despair when politicians and voters go wrong.

Over Here, Over There podcast host Dan Harris discusses with BBC Radio Kent's Steve Ladner the election of a new Speaker of the House, (R-LA) Michael Johnson. 'Finally, the nightmare in the US House of Representatives is finally different' (as opposed to over), so says late-night host Stephen Colbert. After three weeks of paralysis, the new House Speaker, second in line to the Presidency, is Representative Michael Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana. Not well known even by colleagues in Congress, many of whom had to Google him to learn more, Mr. Johnson talked cordially in the spirit of bipartisanship towards the Democrats in his acceptance speech. His quiet history tells otherwise, however. As a MAGA loyalist, he was one of the chief architects of the GOP's campaign to decertify the 2020 U.S. presidential election in the House of Representatives. With severe challenges both at home and abroad, how he will use the powerful Speaker's gavel, only time will tell. Have a listen.

Amidst the turmoil following Hamas's brutal attack on Israel, President Joe Biden traveled to Israel to show US support for its close ally and try to reduce tensions amongst the warring factions. BBC Radio Kent host Steve Ladner speaks with Dan Harris, international political commentator and co-host of the 'Over Here, Over There' podcast to determine whether Biden's peace-making efforts achieved their goals.

The value of international education is increasingly being realised, particularly in countries in which tuition fees have increased significantly over the years. As Anthony Nemecek, one of our expert panelists explains, more and more students are recognising the advantages of looking beyond their borders for higher education opportunities.While the financial incentives are becoming more apparent, international education can enhance life skills, help develop greater cultural awareness, provide a wider choice of educational opportunities, and can be a key differentiator on the CV or resume. Tune in to understand how international education could be the best investment one ever makes.Host Dan Harris is joined by fellow podcaster partner  Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung in Munich, along with our guests who are specialists in international education at university and secondary school levels: Anthony Nemecek, Chief Educational Consultant at Banyan Education Consultancy; and Dale Scarboro, History teacher, author and career advisor at St. Edwards Senior School, Cheltenham, UK.In the podcast, we discuss:Introduction to international educationBanyan Educational Consultancy’s servicesThe overall benefits and challenges of studying abroadLevel of interest in international education in the UK, Europe, North America and elsewhereDifferent application processes between European and North American universitiesCost considerations of higher education between the UK, Europe and USA.Lifetime benefits of international educationIt’s an informative and insightful episode that will be of interest to educators, students, parents and anyone seeking to study abroad and possibly develop an international career.Don’t forget to subscribe and share the podcast with others, who are particularly interested in the benefits, challenges and adventures of studying abroad.

According to a recent New York Times article, dual nationality is the new ‘gotta have’, and many people across the world are seeking a second or even a third nationality to improve their life chances. In this very dynamic, globalised world, gaining another citizenship is promoted or restricted depending on the political, economic and social trends within each country and across the world. Whether it’s the pandemic, Brexit or people becoming aware of greater advantages dual citizenship would provide elsewhere, there’s been a massive increase, in some cases ten-fold, since 2015. It’s a hot topic that needs discussingHost and multi-passport holder Dan Harris is joined by fellow podcaster partner Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung in Munich, along with a panel of dual-citizenship holders Lee Egan, Barrister at Citadel Chambers, Eva Tunez Salvador, Director of Genuine Translations and co-founder of Local to Global, and Dr. Tom Lorman, Lecturer at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London. It's an entertaining and informative listen to five personal journeys in the realms of citizenship that you don't want to miss. If you ever thought of adding another citizenship for whatever reason, you'll gain insight and knowledge that our panelists have to offer which will help you decide. 

If you were the culinary ambassador of your country and had to offer one dish to attract as many visitors as possible, what would that be? A soul-searching question for our panel of international culinary professionals and foodies from France, Taiwan, Germany, UK and the USA. Their delicious, inventive and practical suggestions are entertaining and intriguing. No doubt our listeners will have their own favourite dish from their travels (remember when we could actually do that?).In our OHOT discussion, host Dan Harris will be joined by fellow podcaster Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor at The Süddeutsche Zeitung, Asian Cookery Presenter Pamela Chen, award-winning French restauranteurs Yves and Elisabeth Ogrodzki, and US food writer, musician and entrepreneur Adam Wilcox. Let's forget about pandemics and lockdowns for a little while and let our culinary wings take us to lands where once we traveled or yearn to go.  Don't forget also to subscribe to the podcast and share it with others who have similar good listening tastes!  Visit us at overhereoverthere.org. 

Small talk is hard for some people. But what happens when a country's citizens find it difficult or don't engage in small talk culturally with their fellow citizens or foreigners? Is small talk an essential key factor for a functioning society or is it just superficial blah? And why are some countries better at it than others? Does it give them an advantage in international relations? Is it a key success factor in gaining friends or winning in business? So many questions. Let's find out.We engage in this upcoming episode with some of the best small talkers in the business. Ready to shoot the breeze with host Dan Harris are fellow podcaster partner and Senior Editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung Claudia Koestler, BBC Radio and commercial radio host Warren Moore, British/American Psychotherapist Margaret Cavanagh and Japanese cultural ambassador Yuka Ogura.

He’s gone but certainly not forgotten. You know who I’m talking about. Long, dark coat, long red tie, orange hair. The man who dominated the airwaves for four chaotic years of his presidency, culminating in a riotous mob attacking the heart of US democracy at the Capitol, the impact from which will be felt for who knows how long. But the podcast is not all about him. We’ve divided into two parts: the first half assessing the Trump Administration in true ‘Over Here, Over There’ fashion; and then we turn our attention to the new Biden-Harris administration and what it means for the rest of the world.Host Dan Harris is joined by co-host and fellow podcaster Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s largest quality newspaper; Bill Barnard, former Chair of Democrats Abroad UK and the History Department at the University of Alabama; Warren Moore, BBC and commercial radio presenter, and Dr Tom Lorman, Lecturer at University College London’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies.But first, I’ll let you in on a secret. We had originally recorded this podcast on 5th January, a day before the riot. Technically, we were not in a post-Trump era then. If there was going to be controversy, one would have guessed it was going to happen when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris assumed the reigns of executive power at their inauguration on 20 January. The next day, the 6th January, proved that thinking wrong as the world looked on in shock and amazement at the rioting at the Capitol and the attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 Presidential election. Trump’s second impeachment proceeded rapidly thereafter and was passed in the House of Representatives, followed by a momentous vote in the Senate acquitting Donald J Trump of inciting a riot, the vote being 57-43, the largest bipartisan majority of any impeachment trial but falling short of 67 votes needed in a super majority to convict.The crater that was left in America’s democracy and the impact of these events couldn’t be ignored. So, after recording the podcast on the 5th January, we decided to re-record the episode and check our thinking again.We hope you enjoy the insightful discussion by our panel who share their candid views from various locations and assess what it means for America’s position in the world and their own country’s relationship going forward with the US under the Biden Administration.So, please listen, subscribe and share! And don’t forget to check out our nifty membership benefits at overhereoverthere.org.