Spring Semester 2008 closed

24 weeks (early March to early August)

Sponsored by the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages in the College of Arts & Letters; Eli Broad College of Business; and in cooperation with James Madison College; arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program at the University of Applied Sciences Konstanz (Hochschule Konstanz) in Germany allows advanced students of German the opportunity to study business and German for a semester. The program is designed for students who have completed GRM 311, the first semester of the third-year business German track, and wish to pursue the study of German business and business language at an advanced level. Students in this program are frequently double majors in German and business or German and international relations.

Upon completion of the semester, students may choose to remain in Germany for an additional 3-4 months and complete a paid internship at a German company. Internships typically run from late July through late October. The Hochschule Konstanz assists students in obtaining internship positions.

This program is unique in that it offers students the chance to study and work in Germany.

For more information, please visit the Konstanz PowerPoint presentation.

Where does it take place?

The University of Applied Sciences Konstanz (UAS) is located in southern Germany on the coast of beautiful Lake Konstanz. As one of Germany's most picturesque cities, Konstanz is a popular tourist destination for German and other European travelers. Austria and Switzerland lie directly across the border, and France is only a short distance away.

Konstanz has a rich cultural life, and numerous interesting cities lie near and around Lake Konstanz - Basel, Zurich, Freiburg, Lindau, and Bregenz. This is an area of great scenic beauty, and opportunity for outdoor activity abounds.

The UAS campus is located directly on the Rhine in the heart of town with numerous shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and pubs within walking distance. The dormitories are a block from the campus.

What can I study?

Specializing in engineering and business, UAS offers a strong focus on international business language and business administration. Course offerings cover the entire spectrum of business management and economics and offer students the chance to study German and international business in a smaller, more personalized setting.

Students will make arrangements with their MSU academic adviser(s) prior to departure regarding the transfer of courses. Courses will normally transfer to MSU as German, business or international relations credit. In addition to German-specific courses in business management, UAS offers a series of international management courses that might be of interest to students. Many of these courses are offered in English. In addition, UAS regularly offers the course “ Germany within Europe” (taught in English) which counts toward the European Studies cognate required for the German major.

Students must have completed GRM 311 before departure. Typically, students will complete the equivalent of GRM 312 in Germany (if they do not have credit for GRM 312 already).

Students will be required to take a minimum of twelve (12), maximum of eighteen (18) credits during the program.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

INTERNSHIP

Generally students will not receive credit toward the German major for completing an internship. Students should consult with their academic advisor in other departments to determine if credit can be granted.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students only. Applicants may be in any major but the program is primarily designed for those individuals with a specific interest in German and international business and management. Students wishing to participate must also have a strong commitment to learning about and living in the business and cultural environment of Germany.

Applicants must have at least junior status, successful completion of GRM 311 (or the equivalent) and be in good academic standing, with an overall grade point average of at least a 2.5 and a 3.0 in German at the time of application.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

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?

During the semester, students will live in student dormitories. Kitchen facilities are available in the dorms so students can prepare their own meals. UAS also has a cafeteria where meals are available at a reasonable price. Students will be able to negotiate the city and environs easily with public transportation.

For students participating in an internship, the UAS International Office will assist in finding housing after the semester ends.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Professor George Peters
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages
A 615 Wells Hall
Phone: (517) 353-4860

Elizabeth Plagwitz
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-9544

An “International Exchange Student Handbook” prepared by former MSU students studying at UAS is available at the Office of Study Abroad.

It is highly recommended that students considering this program visit UAS's Web site at and follow the link to “Internationales.” Complete information about courses and fields of study at UAS, including course descriptions in English, will be found here.

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 twelve weeks are 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.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Students studying at UAS will need a visa (Aufenthalsterlaubnis). The UAS International Office will assist students in obtaining their visa upon arrival in Konstanz. Alternatively, students may apply for a visa in advance through the German Consulate in the U.S. once they have received formal acceptance into the program.

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 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.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

Funds paid directly by the student include:

• transportation to and from Germany
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• German health insurance (required)
• MSU tuition and fees*
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees
• pre-departure doctor visits
• personal spending money

Excluding MSU tuition and fees, an estimated total for these costs is $6,142 per semester.

The program fee of $135 (SS 2008) covers pre-departure orientation and requisite accident and sickness insurance.

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee 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.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

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.

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 October 15th for spring semester 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, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

NOTE: Students who have been admitted to this program are eligible to apply for a Baden-Württemberg scholarship that offers a generous monthly stipend. The deadline for application is at the beginning of April in the year PRIOR to the semester you plan to participate.

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 October 15th for spring semester participation. 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 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.

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.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.