Interview with Julia Landgraf

In March 2026, a student from Chemnitz University of Technology completed an internship at the Research Center for Comparative History of Religious Orders (FOVOG). In this interview, she reveals what particularly interests her about history, what experiences she had during her internship and what she liked best. The interview was conducted by Laura-Marie Lang.

Introduce yourself briefly.

My name is Julia Landgraf, I'm 22 years old and I'm studying European History (B.A.) at Chemnitz University of Technology. As part of my studies, I am currently completing a one-month internship at FOVOG.

What interests you most about history and do you have a favorite era?

What I particularly like about history is the far-reaching interconnectedness of events and their effects. In addition to medieval studies in general, I find the Teutonic Order and its work in the Baltic region fascinating, but I am also interested in the advanced civilization of Ancient Egypt.

Why did you decide to do your internship with us at FOVOG?

I wanted to stay in the field of medieval studies during my internship and get to know the field of research better. FOVOG was an obvious place to start.

What were your expectations of the internship and were they met?

My expectations were quite open and I was curious about what to expect. When I found out that the field of activity was similar to that of my work as an assistant, I had a clear point of orientation again and my expectations were completely fulfilled. Moreover, I was very pleased that the field of activity was even more varied than my expectations of an assistant's job would suggest.

What were your tasks during the internship?

I inventoried books in the FOVOG library, researched literature, proofread texts, searched databases and was also allowed to help create posts for the FOVOG Instagram channel.

What was a highlight of your internship?

The highlight of my internship was searching through the sometimes very bizarre stories of Caesarius von Heisterbach and the "Exordium Magnum Cisterciense".

Did the internship help you with your professional orientation?

It confirmed to me that I feel at home in medieval studies and that source work, alongside the other tasks of a historian, is an activity that I would love to continue in my future career.

How would you describe your internship with us in three words?

interesting, informative, inspiring