Coffee Connections: A Conversation with Diplomat Oliver Schramm
This episode offers an engaging mix of personal narrative, institutional history, and forward-looking perspectives on science, research, and educational exchange between Germany and the U.S. West Coast. If you’re interested in the evolution of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) or EU–US academic collaboration through the lens of a seasoned diplomat, it’s definitely worth a listen.
The podcast can be found here.
Speakers
Hanni Geist is a professional in higher education, fostering exchange between the US and Germany. Originally from Berlin, Hanni now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and represents the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the San Francisco office. Since 2013, Hanni supports students and researchers to study, intern, and research in Germany. Hanni is responsible for all activities in the Western region of the US. To increase Germany alumni engagement, Hanni created the podcast Coffee Connections to highlight the diverse experiences in and with Germany. Hanni has presented at NAFSA, the Forum on Education, and Diversity Abroad conference on study, intern, and research opportunities in Germany under the lens of DEI. As a professional in the field of International Education, Hanni focuses on topics related to mental health.Hanni Geist
Oliver Schramm heads the German Consulate General in San Francisco. From 2017-2021 he served as Minister for Economic and Global Affairs at the German Embassy in London. From 2014-2017, he served at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin as the Head of Division for German Schools Abroad and International Sports Cooperation. His various roles within the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs have stationed him in Seoul, Boston, Washington/DC, Rome, Lima and London. Oliver began his professional career in 1991 working first in the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bonn and then in the Federal Chancellery as a member of the Chancellor's speech-writing group from 1995-98. He studied at Harvard from 2001-2002 and received an MPA from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.Oliver Schramm