Introduction

New Program in Berlin!

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Further Opportunities for Study Abroad

A letter from Scott McElhinney, our Advisor for the German Study Abroad Program

Dear Student:

Thanks for your interest. Here are some questions you may have asked yourself:

Why Study in Germany?
To learn all about this nation's fascinating culture—its history, music, intellectuals, scientists, sports, politics, reunification, environmentalism, food, beer, wine, etc. And of course, its rich language and literature. While many Germans speak English, very few Americans know German well enough to carry on a conversation, let alone carry out serious academic pursuits. EAP gives you opportunities to do both. And what's unique and helpful about studying abroad via EAP (UC's very own program) is that all your Financial Aid goes with you, and your courses and grades transfer back automatically to your Cal transcript. So take a look at these brief descriptions of the various options EAP offers in Germany and see which one fits your interests. Then go to the EAP webpage for all the details: www.ias.berkeley.edu/bpsa

Don't know a word of German?
That's OK! Just apply in early October for the Spring program for total beginners in Goettingen, a lovely university-town a couple of hours by train from Berlin. You'll learn the equivalent of Cal's German 1 and 2 in just one semester, April through July. You'll live in a single dorm room with German housemates so you can meet students easily. An excellent way to jump-start your German!

You've studied 2 or 3 semesters of German at Cal?
Great! Apply in early October for the Intermediate program in Bayreuth in Bavaria. You'll study the language plus take a couple of content courses taught in German so you'll use what you've learned in a real classroom setting. Same type of housing as in Goettingen. Bayreuth is a friendly college town that is also known for its Wagner music festival every year. If you'd like to do an Internship in Fall somewhere in Germany after Spring in Bayreuth, that's an option, too!

So you'd like to do a real old-fashioned "Junior Year Abroad" in Germany?
No problem! (Senior Year usually works, too, by the way.) You can study in Goettingen or at three different universities in Berlin. If you want to go to Goettingen, (or to do Fall in Goettingen and then switch to Berlin in Spring,) just take up through German 4 by the end of the Spring Semester before you want to go on EAP for the year. If you want to study in Berlin, you'll need to take through German 4 plus one upper division course taught in German (such as 100, 101, or a literature, culture, or linguistics course) as well as one upper division course in the subject you want to focus on while there. In Goettingen, you'll live in a single dorm room with German housemates so you can practice the German you've worked so hard to learn. In Berlin, there are student dorms, too, but apartments are also readily available. In both cities, you'll start with an Intensive Language Program, then take the regular courses alongside the German students. At first this might seem daunting, but gradually your German skills will improve sufficiently for you to do well in your classes. Every year, many UC students accomplish this and by the end of the year are quite proficient at a very high academic level. You can do it, too! This can serve you well if you go on to Graduate school and want to do research in German-speaking areas. If you want to do an Internship, you can do Fall Semester in Goettingen and then go to another city in Germany in Spring to intern at a company or non-profit. All options that begin in Fall have an early January application deadline. Spending a full year in Germany allows your German skills to develop to a very high degree, plus it enables you to get to know the country and culture more deeply. You're more likely to make close friendships by staying for a year, as well.

If you can't participate for an entire year, it's still possible to do half a year of regular coursework in Goettingen or Berlin, too. Fall Semester is best for graduating seniors because it continues on until March, so other students would encounter the problem of missing Spring Semester back at Cal. The Advanced Spring Semester (only in Goettingen) would be a better option for students who don't want to miss two semesters here, but since there's no Intensive Language Program before this option, you'd need to take through German 4 plus one upper division course taught in German. The Spring Advanced Program (April through July) has an early October application deadline.

Graduate students can do any of these options as well. In addition, there is an Abgeordnetenhaus Fellowship in Berlin just for graduate students that has a special deadline in November.

So no matter what your class level, language level, or major, you'll find an EAP option that can help you to get first-hand experience in Germany. What are you waiting for? Just click onto the EAP website to see photos, read student journals and comments, and to get additional information and an application: www.ias.berkeley.edu/bpsa. Go for it!

For all questions about UC's Education Abroad Program, please contact the UC Berkeley Education Abroad Advisor, Scott McElhinney. email: scottmc@uclink4.berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad: www.ias.berkeley.edu/bpsa

UC's Education Abroad Program website: http://www.uoeap.ucsb.edu/eap/country/germany/de.htm

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Be sure to check the opportunities offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), including new scholarships!

In support of the increasingly recognized objective of US colleges and universities to internationalize the curriculum, DAAD New York is pleased to announce the edu.de 2001 initiative to enhance opportunities for undergraduate research and study visits to Germany. edu.de 2001, under the auspices of the German Foreign Office and the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the German Federal Government, offers two program venues:

Scholarships for a Semester or Year Abroad

These scholarships are available for a stay in Germany of four to ten months. Again, all academic fields are eligible.

The catalogues of summer programs offered by German universities for 2001 include many specialized language (law, business, science, technology, media) and thematic focus courses (engineering, science, business, economics, history, politics, European studies, philosophy) to choose from. Detailed information on these courses is available at

http://www.daad.de/info-f-a/de/fuehrer/sommerkurse/index.html

For further information on study and research opportunities in Germany please consult our web sites http://www.daad.de and http://www.daad.org or contact the DAAD office in New York for advice and to request paper copies of the information brochures.

Eligibility

Awards are made on a competitive basis to undergraduate students pursuing full-time study at United States colleges or universities. Applicants must have at least sophomore standing at time of application and junior status by the beginning of the award period.

As a rule, applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Foreign nationals may be eligible to apply if they have been full-time students at a United States institution for at least one year at the time of application.

Applicants must be eligible in principle to receive academic credit for their proposed stay in Germany. The study abroad office (or other appropriate office) at the student's home university should issue a statement confirming this

Award recipients are selected on the basis of an outstanding academic record and a strong and convincing project proposal or statement of purpose. They are expected to demonstrate an active interest in contemporary German and European affairs and to explain the significance of a stay in Germany to their future studies, research or professional goals.

German language competence is desirable but not mandatory. Please note that German universities now offer a range of degree and non-degree programs partly or entirely taught in English http://www.daad.de/info-f-a/en/index.html

Terms

Recipients of Semester or Year Abroad Scholarships will receive a monthly stipend -- and a lump sum payment to help defray travel expenses. DAAD will provide health and accident insurance for the duration of the scholarship. The scholarship holder must contribute DM 20.-- per month toward the cost of the health insurance.

A statement of support from the study abroad office, or other appropriate office at the student's home institution, certifying visa assistance is required with the application. This statement should also indicate that the student's project is eligible for academic credit.

Scholarship recipients are responsible for making their own travel and registration arrangements with the German host institution, if any. A written report and proof of credit recognition (or an explanation of its absence) are requested within four weeks of the student's return to the
United States.

GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE / DAAD
950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Telephone: (212) 758-3223 Fax: (212) 755-5780
E-mail: daadny@daad.org Website: http://www.daad.org

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For other study abroad programs, including work and internships abroad, check also:
http://www.studyabroad.com/content/portals/Germany_port.html
http://www.goabroad.com/
ActiLingua Academy (in Vienna, Austria)

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