Bonn

Nature, romantic settings and an unconventional language – the Baltic States are fascinating, also for young Germans. They can take up Baltic studies at Greifswald University, where this discipline has been offered for as long as 20 years.

Sandy beaches and lakes, nature reserves and high-moor bogs: The first time Andreas Jäkel saw pictures from Lithuania, he was intrigued by the Eastern European country, the southernmost of the three Baltic states. “I am a romantic and always on the lookout for something pristine,” says the 25-year-old student. “I was yearning to go to Lithuania, and when I want to visit a country I also want to learn its language.”

But just a little Lithuanian was not enough for Andreas Jäkel. He wanted to learn more about the language and culture of Lithuania and its neighbouring states Estonia and Latvia – and the only place this is possible in Germany is Greifswald in the eastern part of the country. The Ernst Moritz Arndt University established its Institute of Baltic Studies almost twenty years ago. Andreas Jäkel has been enrolled there since 2008. He also studies Fennistics.

Course of study for globetrotters

Baltic Studies are a small branch of study and belong to the niche disciplines typically not in high demand on the German job market. Greifswald University has 30 to 40 long-term students of Lithuanian or Latvian. In the peak years there were six to eight students who took Baltic Studies as a major – since 2011 there have only been two to three. The reasons why people choose this subject cannot be pinpointed, says the institute’s professor, Stephan Kessler.

He has observed, however, that most of the young people who enrolled in the past five to ten years had already been in contact with the Baltic region, for instance through student exchanges, extended journeys or church camps. “Most are aware that they have chosen a niche subject,” says Kessler. However, among those interested in the small and exotic field are also future historians, art critics and political scientists.

No job guarantee for graduates

Those who do not pursue a career in academia, however, have a hard time finding a job. Andreas Jäkel for instance wants to be a translator, but he is put off by the bad income prospects. “Another option would be to teach the Baltic languages at training centres and language institutes later,” he says. “In the first place, I’ll be glad to find a job that I like and that I can make a living from.”


Kessler believes the right choice of the second major is essential for the future job prospects of students as there is no such profession as “Baltist.” Expertise in the language, culture and history of the Baltic states is a supplementary qualification. “We provide good career counselling to our students so that most of them develop a good idea of how to continue once they have earned their Bachelor’s degree,” Kessler points out. For example, they can pursue a Master’s degree in another linguistic or arts discipline or the combination of Baltic Studies and German as a foreign language.

“Terra incognita – at the heart of Europe”

Kessler believes the main problem from the viewpoint of students and especially universities is Germany’s educational policy. In his opinion, most funding goes to the branches of study from which the state expects to benefit in the long term – and Baltic Studies do not count among those. “Most Germans know nothing about the Baltic region,” the professor criticizes. “Terra incognita – at the heart of Europe!”


Kessler’s Lithuanian colleague Artūras Judžentis from the University of Vilnius, who also took up a teaching position in Greifswald in April, however believes that part of the blame goes to the Baltic states. “Politicians and civil servants have to help promote interest by young people in this Eastern European region,” he demands. The way he sees it, the Lithuanian language and culture are not sufficiently promoted in Germany.