On February 23, 2026, the Klagenfurt Centre for Canadian Studies (KCCS) | Centre d'Études Canadiennes de Klagenfurt (CECK) was officially inaugurated. For that very special reason, today's (bonus) podcast episode features a record number of guests that have come to Klagenfurt for the festivities, namely Dominique Kirchner Reill from the University of Alberta (Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies), Benedikt Miklós from the Délégation Générale du Québec, Felicitas Lang from the Embassy of Canada to Austria in Vienna as well as our very own colleague René Schallegger from the Department of English (University of Klagenfurt) who founded the KCCS. Tune in to find out how the Centre will foster Austro-Canadian relations by building on the strong cultural values and commitment to technological improvements that the two countries share.

Check out the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies, the webpage of the KCCS, the Embassy of Canada to Austria, the Délégation Générale du Québec in Munich and the Festival du Film Francophone Wien 2026.

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or tell us what you like most about Canada.

Tamara Urach, host

Dr. René Schallegger, guest

Felicitas Lang, guest

Dr. Benedikt Miklós, guest

Dominique Reill, PhD, guest

Today is all about reminiscing and looking forward - or as Galadriel said "things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass." No, we are not talking about ring lore but instead about our newly founded Media Club, which wrapped up its first season just a couple of days ago. Our guest for this episode is René Schallegger, whose academic expertise and personal interest in different media have proven extremely valuable for the Media Club. The dystopian theme of the Media Club in winter semester 2025 was very well received, prompting the producers to opt for a second sesason in summer term 2026, focusing on "The Fantastic". René and Tamara take a trip down memory lane of what they liked best last season and what they'll improve on in the sessions offered in summer. For more details regarding the programme, please visit the Media Club's webpage or use the quick guide to sign up for sessions (or write us an e-mail at [email protected]).

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or offer ideas for Hellblade 3.

Tamara Urach, host

René Schallegger, guest

The guests for today's episode joined us at the university to share a little about how English affects their lives--they're not students or teachers here, so they're able to offer us a different perspective on the worlds of English, namely how English brings together someone from Brasil (who loves Kasnudeln) and someone from Austria (who loves pão de queijo - mispronunciation not recommended) who meet each other in Estonia.

Portuguese and German do not play a major role in their interpersonal interactions--though each uses their mother tongue with friends and family and in other contexts. We dive briefly into Esperanto, taboo terms, and more--so, sit back, relax, and enjoy an almost hour-long episode filled with laughter and linguistics (what better combo could there be?)!

Here's three things to check out from today's episode:

• Instagram: @greengodictionary
• Interlingua on Tiktok: @orlophe_vauchertres
• Esperanto Museum in Vienna (...and Zamenhof was Polish. :))

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or suggest a new term of endearment that Julia and Johannes can try out!

Tamara Urach, host

Blake Shedd, host

Julia, guest, saudade expert

Johannes, guest, pause expert

N.B. This podcast was not sponsored by Duolingo, Bumble, or Jomo--but....we mean, they could if they wanted.

Today's guest, Tatjana Vučajnk, has joined us from the Department of Slavic Studies at the University of Klagenfurt (Celovec) to tell us about a unique opportunity for students (and non-students, too) to improve their language skills: Summer School Bovec. At the beginning of July, intensive courses in Slovene, German, Italian, Croatian, and Friulan are offered at beginner and advanced levels. Tatjana and Blake talk about what it means to learn a language and explain the way Bovec creates an ideal learning environment. This year's theme is "Bridging Worlds with AI"--this current topic is especially important in language learning. Summer school participants can enjoy a host of extracurricular activities to put into practice the language they are learning.

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or share your favourite Slovene poem.

Blake Shedd, host

Dr. Tatjana Vučajnk, guest

As entertaining as the Rock my Worlds of English podcast episodes *usually* are, today's episode proves to be the exception by being entertaining AND informative. Knowledge (like beauty) is, however, fleeting, so we have prepared a map for you to navigate the hallowed halls of Hogwa... uh sorry... the University of Klagenfurt. This veritable audio Marauder's Map will show you how to find your way through the at-times Byzantine landscapes - both virtual and physical - of university life. The second edition of our freshers guide (please see episode #004 for our Freshers 101 about the campus system) reveals (*revelio*) the nooks and crannies of campus:

• how to create a timetable, keeping in mind the progression of courses
• the ÖH reps (see episode #008 for more detail)
• the CULT
• the SPLs (Study Programme Directors)
• the IT service desk ZID
• how to print with your own computer
• where to park and how to navigate campus (plan)
• meal discounts at the Mensa
• sports at the USI
• our department's code of conduct
• general tips to survive university life
• Snoop Dogg's advice on syllabi

Announcement: Applications for Erasmus + study abroad for the next academic year are open until February 1, 2026 - for questions reach out to the International Office at [email protected] or stop by during their office hours (Mon-Thu from 9 to 11 in O.1.22).

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or enquire about the graduate edition of the Marauder's Map.

Tamara Urach, host

Gert Ofner, host

Alex Striessnig, guest host

This is an announcement for the Erasmus+ Study Abroad program:

“Applications for Erasmus+ study abroad for the next academic year are still open. The deadline is February 1, 2026, so this is a good time to get your applications ready. If you have questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out to the International Office at ⁠[email protected]⁠, or stop by during office hours, Monday to Thursday from 9 to 11 (in office O.1.22).”

While your dynamic podcast duo Tamara and Blake are still on their (much needed) holiday, they have been ably replaced by Matthew and Vanessa in today's podcast episode, welcoming Darrah and Dune (the D&D of Fulbright) in our (provisional) studio to talk about Austro-American relations and the Fulbright programme. Talking about the many opportunities Fulbright offers to students and teachers (including going from Austria to the US (or vice versa) to teach and study), Dune and Darrah also highlight the importance of person-to-person exchange and the chance to represent your country in a different cultural context (which very much is the backbone of the programme) and forming new and (lifelong) connections with people, e.g. via the Fulbright alumni community events. If you are motivated to go on a once-in-a-lifetime-experience to study/teach abroad, the Fulbright programme might be perfect for you. For more information visit their website, Instagram (@fulbrightaustria), YouTube (@FulbrightAustria), and LinkedIn, or write them an email under [email protected].

Fulbright's Media Club book: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler.

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or submit a draft for an AAU sports team logo.

Vanessa Walzl, guest host

Matthew Hellenbrand, guest host

Darrah Lustig, guest

Dune Johnson, guest 

Today’s episode features Dr. Peter Muntigl from the University of Ghent, a linguist whose research focuses on helping professions and therapy. Originally from Canada, he grew up in Montreal and studied in Vancouver. He has connections to universities across Europe and spent time in Vienna for a research project. Coming to linguistics from a different academic background, he discovered his passion for language while volunteering as a teacher for immigrants, where he came to see language as a powerful tool. His journey as a researcher has taken him to many places – but to find out which one he considers the most beautiful, you’ll have to listen to the episode!

Contact us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or participate in our vote on what PhD really stands for.

Tamara Urach, host

Peter Muntigl, guest

Others might go for the cliché “new year, new me” — we present our very personal and splendiferous “new year, new co-host.” Although he has already hosted a couple of episodes, we wanted to kick off 2026 with a very special one. We almost lost him to politics in Salzburg, but we’re glad he found his way back to Klagenfurt, where he studies English and History and recently started teaching at the Bachmann Gymnasium. Gert sees education as both a tool and an investment for society and is keen on not worrying too much and taking small risks (as Blake told us: use worry like salt).

Gert's book recommendation: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.

Contact us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or ask Gert for a weather report (it's gonna be freezing next week).

Tamara Urach, host

Blake Shedd, host

Gert Ofner, guest/host

This is our quarter-century episode of the fairly new "Rock my Worlds of English" podcast from the Department of English at the University of Klagenfurt! Thank you, dear Listener, for spending all these many hours with us learning about the department, our curricula, our students, our friends, and our colleagues. In this episode we reflect back on what we've learned, what we loved, and what we're going to do next year. Tune in to get a preview of all the great episodes to come.

Contact us at [email protected] to share ideas, volunteer for an interview, or help us out how to use technology.

Tamara Urach, host

Blake Shedd, host