German Language and Culture
in Mayen, Germany

Summer 2010

May 14 – June 25, 2010

Sponsored by the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages in the College of Arts & Letters

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

During the summer of 2010, the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages will offer the 37th annual “German Language and Culture” program in Mayen, Germany.

Participants will have an opportunity to live with a host family for five weeks in Mayen and develop their understanding of German culture and their fluency in the German language.

Mayen quickly becomes a home-away-from-home for students and they can easily develop personal relationships while they experience daily life in Germany.  On the weekends, student can visit famous cities in Germany and Europe.

Where does it take place?

Mayen is located in Germany’s Rhine Valley not far from Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz.  It is a city of 22,800 people, surrounded by areas of great scenic beauty and historical interest.  Mayen is only a short distance from France, Belgium, and Holland.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of six (6), maximum of nine (9), semester credits from the following courses:

All students will enroll in GRM 491 and a German course on the level corresponding to their proficiency.  Third-year and fourth-year language courses will be offered.  Students may also enroll in GRM 490 for special projects.

Classes will run from May to June at one of the education centers in Mayen and Berlin.  Classes will generally meet during the morning, Monday through Thursday. 

Field trips to such nearby places as Cologne, Bonn, and possibly Mainz will be arranged.  At the end of the program there will be an excursion to Berlin, via Jena, Weimar and Dresden.  Students will have afternoons and long weekends to study, visit, and travel throughout Germany and Western Europe. 

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to all majors. 

Students must have successfully completed GRM 202 or the equivalent, and must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least a 2.00 at the time of application.

The faculty leader may also conduct interviews (in German) with each student that will focus on the student’s reason for wanting to study abroad, how the program will benefit their overall academic program, and what they plan to gain from the experience.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will live in modern, private homes in Mayen, all located within easy walking distance of classes.  Living with a German family is considered a highlight of the program and a way to immerse yourself in the German language and culture.  All homestays include breakfast daily.  Student laundry is usually taken care of by the host family.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Tom Lovik
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages
A-604 Wells Hall
Phone: (517) 355-3809

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009 was $1,899 and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations with breakfast
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• Eurail Pass (required for travel within Germany)
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $3,460 (US09).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.