INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE

Study in Potsdam/Berlin Germany

Program Information | Location Information | Courses Available | Eligibility | Costs | Deadlines & Dates | Orientation | What's Next? | Photos | Helpful Links

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Program Information
This is a 3-week intensive study abroad program held in Berlin and Potsdam, Germany with either a 4-credit or 6-credit option. You will study German history, culture, literature, and politics, in a classroom setting and on field trips to museums, historic sights and other points of interest. Emphasis will be on language, culture and history. For course topics and more information, please visit the instructor's website.

In Potsdam you will stay in an historic Dutch-style house in the city center, just minutes away from the local attractions, and 30-minutes from the center of Berlin. Included in the program fee are: flight (RT), lodging, several field trips (including historic Weimar) and entrance fees, transportation in Germany, breakfast/most lunches and no additional tuition fees.

Furthermore, the unique experience of shopping and preparing dinner for the group was a highlight of our stay last year. Planning meetings will be held prior to departure during which the program coordinator for short-term programs from the International Education Office and the instructor will be answering questions and plotting logistics.

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Location Information
Home of Frederic the Great, the most famous Prussian king, known for his tolerance, love of science and arts, and feared for his power and fierce army, Potsdam is more than 1,000 years old. Here, the Nazi era began and ended: in 1933, Hitler manifested his power in a meeting with Reich President Hindenburg, and in 1945, the Allies determined the future of post-war Germany in the Treaty of Potsdam. Today, the city is the capital of the federal state of Brandenburg. It is the cradle of German film and hosts the College of Film and Television as well as several other colleges and universities. Potsdam is well known for its Baroque palaces and gardens and multi-cultural architecture (e.g. Dutch, Russian, French, Bohemian, Prussian, East German etc.).

Berlin, Germany's old and new capital, which is also dubbed the biggest construction site in the world, is bustling with activity and culture. The relocation of the national parliament and the federal government from Bonn to Berlin necessitated immense construction projects; the most prominent is the Potsdamer Platz as well as the area near the Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate. Home to countless museums and historic places; Berlin is ours to explore. Formerly divided by The Wall, East and West Berlin are still significantly different in architecture, culture and mentality.

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Courses Available
Students are offered to take a 4-credit or 6-credit option, credits of which apply to a German Studies major or minor. For detailed information on the course, please visit the instructor's website.

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Eligibility
Participants MUST have a passport, valid for at least 6 months after their return to the U.S., and have successfully completed four semesters of German, (or equivalent or have instructor's consent).

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Costs
The program package cost is to be determined. A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be billed to your student account and a deposit of $400 will be billed to your student account upon your confirmation of participation. The remainder of the program fee will be billed through Student Accounts Receivable.

The program package includes:

• Tuition for 4-credit course
• Lodging
• Fieldtrips
• Cultural Insurance Services International health insurance

Students are responsible for booking their own airfare (Minneapolis to Berlin). Participants will finance dinner. Food will be purchased and prepared in groups in our "house" in Potsdam. Other items not included are the cost of obtaining a passport and personal spending money. It is recommended that all participants bring additional money for personal and miscellaneous expenses.

Fluctuating currency exchange rates may increase or decrease the cost of your international experience. Financial aid may be applied toward the cost of the program if you are enrolled as a full-time student (6 credits is full-time for May/Summer). There are several study abroad scholarships for University of Minnesota students. Additional scholarships may be offered through the UMD Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures. Please inquire with the program instructor about such scholarship opportunities.

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Deadlines & Dates
The application deadline is February 20, 2010. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the class will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tentative program dates are to be determined.

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Orientation
At least two pre-departure orientations will be held. Pre-departure orientations will include information about financial aid information, international insurance, classwork, travel tips and a general study abroad handbook.

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Housing
Housing facilities for students are arranged by the program. Breakfast/lunch is covered and prepared for participants while participants typically prepare dinner in rotating groups. To learn more about the arranged lodging, please visit the program instructor's website.

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What's Next?
Before applying, it is a good idea to follow the steps under steps to studying abroad. The IEO website also provides information on financing, health & safety and other important information to consider when choosing to study abroad. When ready to apply, the UMD study abroad application may be downloaded from the IEO website. Please complete the application with required accompanying materials and return it to IEO.

Call Michael Mullins with program questions at (218) 726-6155 or email him at mmullins@d.umn.edu. For application/registration questions, contact Leigh Neys at (218) 726-7053 or email: lneys@d.umn.edu

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Photos
Please visit the program instructor's website.

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Helpful Links for Potsdam/Berlin, Germany

• Program instructor's website
• Program website
• Berlin
• Potsdam
• Germany

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