German/English: Helga Hiss, M.A.

Helga Hiss is a German and English instructor with a lifelong passion for languages, culture, and bringing people together across borders. She grew up in the Dreiländereck of southwest Germany, where France and Switzerland are just a short bike ride or drive away. Surrounded by multiple languages and cultures from an early age, Helga developed a deep appreciation for international exchange. As a student, she often boarded a train for spring break and arrived in cities like Florence or Venice by dinner.

Helga has studied and taught in multicultural environments throughout her life, including in Great Britain, Italy, and the United States. She holds an M.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Utah, where she served as a teaching assistant and master teacher in German. Over the years, she has taught German and English at universities, community colleges, and secondary schools, including the University of Virginia, and she currently leads an English Conversation Group at the UVA International Center.

Beyond the classroom, Helga’s love of culture and hospitality shines through her culinary work. She completed a four-year degree in culinary management and led the kitchen at an international conference center, training volunteers and apprentices from around the world while preparing meals for more than 100 guests. She has also taught cooking and baking classes and volunteers regularly with soup kitchens and local food programs.

In her free time, Helga enjoys cooking for friends, gardening, growing organic vegetables to share with the community, hiking, birding, traveling, and reading. Her classes reflect her belief that language learning is not just about grammar or vocabulary, but about connecting with people, cultures, and the world.