Meet the AJY Team

Martin Kley, Ph.D.

Resident Director
m.kley@uni-heidelberg.de
mkley@heidelberg.edu

Martin Kley studied at the universities of Augsburg (BA), Pittsburgh (MA) and Texas at Austin (PhD). After his studies, he worked as an Assistant Professor of German at Gettysburg College. Upon his return to Germany, he started working in international education as Academic Director and later Director of CIEE's Global Institute Berlin before joining AJY in 2020.

Valeria Elsesser

Program Coordinator

Valeria Elsesser joined AJY in April 2026, covering for Cara Meysen during her maternity leave. She holds a BA and MA in Political Science and English Studies from the University of Heidelberg, where she specialized in International Relations during her graduate studies. Valeria previously worked as a student assistant and trainee at the Schader Foundation in Darmstadt. In her capacity as Program Coordinator, she is responsible for a smooth transition into German university life for all students, both concerning paperwork and extracurricular activities.

Cara Meysen
(on maternity leave)

Assistant Director of Student Life

Cara Meysen received her BSc and MSc in Geography from the University of Heidelberg, with a focus on the United States and social and cultural geography. Having studied abroad in Wisconsin and Maryland, she brings valuable international experience to her role as Assistant Director of Student Life. Cara supports students in all aspects of life outside the classroom—from housing and insurance to university registration and extracurricular involvement—and also manages alumni relations and AJY’s social media presence.

Julia Pinkow

Program Assistant

Julia Pinkow started as the AJY Program Assistant in February of 2022 and has since become an invaluable member of the team. She is pursuing her Master of Education in Geography and English with the goal of teaching these subjects in High School. In her role as Program Assistant, Julia helps students get to know Heidelberg and university life, plans and participates in excursions and events at the AJY Study Center, and assists Cara with administrative and organizational tasks.

Tom Drechsler
(currently studying abroad)

Program Assistant

Before joining the AJY Team as Program Assistant in March of 2023, Tom was an AJY tandem partner for two semesters. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in American Studies at the University of Heidelberg, with his primary interests including US politics and literature. As Program Assistant, Tom helps the AJY students get settled in their life in Heidelberg, be it during orientation week or on excursions. He is responsible for AJY’s social media accounts, as well as all things concerning marketing. He also oversees and plans the tandem partner program with German university students.

Alina Zukić

Program Assistant

Before joining the AJY team as Program Assistant in September 2026, Alina was an AJY Tandem Partner for three years. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in English and German Literature and Language with the goal of becoming a teacher after graduation. Her primary academic interest is contemporary literature.
As Program Assistant, Alina helps students become familiar with Heidelberg and university life, plans and participates in excursions and events at the AJY Study Center, and assists with administrative and organizational tasks.

Michaela Escher-Eisel

Adjunct Faculty

Having studied German language and literature, and European Art History, Michaela Escher-Eisel received her Magister Artium degree from the University of Heidelberg and teaches German as a second language at a variety of institutions. She helps students prepare for language level placement tests, such as the DSH assessment here at AJY. As a trained guide, with a certificate from the German Association of Tour Guides, she also leads educational excursions in and around Heidelberg.

Verena Zimmer

Adjunct Faculty

Verena Zimmer teaches German Language and History at AJY and the Uni Heidelberg’s International Study Center (ISZ). She holds a Master’s degree in Germanistik and History (University of Trier), has worked in journalism, and is also a certified Heidelberg tour guide, allowing her to bring her courses to life through regular (and excellent) co-curricular excursions. Her motto: “Da ist mehr als du siehst!”

Meet the AJY Team

Study in Heidelberg with AJY!

American Junior Year at Heidelberg University

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