1) I’m interested in studying in Germany. Do I need to be a German major to go?

No, any UCONN student can study in Germany. For more information on programs, visit our Study Abroad website.

2) Do I need to speak German in order to study in Germany?

Not necessarily. While courses at most universities are taught in German, some fields offer courses in English. Most German universities offer language courses for learners of German at different levels. There is no better way to learn a language thoroughly and quickly than by living in a country where the language is spoken.

3) How can I get more information and apply for a program?

We are represented at the study abroad fairs at the beginning of the semester. For the date and place of the next study abroad fair, visit the Study Abroad website at http://www.studyabroad.uconn.edu. The Connecticut Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program is our most successful study abroad option with some of Germany’s top universities located in the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg.

4) Are there semester-long and summer programs?

Both summer and semester programs are available. We usually recommend that you go for a year since you will profit most from your acquired language skills after several months of full immersion. We have not had a student yet who regretted going for a year. If you’d like, we can put you in touch with recent returnees from abroad. Just contact the undergraduate advisor/study abroad evaluator for German majors, currently Professor Sebastian Wogenstein (wogenstein@uconn.edu).

5) How can I find out which courses will be taught while I am at a Germany university?

German universities usually do not have a course catalog like American universities. For regular university courses, search for the Vorlesungsverzeichnis. Detailed course descriptions can be found in the Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis. Course listings and information is usually available only in German. You will most likely also register for courses designed for international students who are still in the process of learning German (usually referred to as Deutsch als Fremdsprache courses – DAF for short). Once you apply for studying abroad, you will receive detailed information on available courses and how to register.

6) In how many courses should I enroll while abroad?

If you’re going for one or two semesters, you should try to earn at least 12 credits per semester, which is the minimum number of credits at UCONN to be considered a full-time student. This is very important for your academic standing and for financial aid. German universities only specify ECTS credits. (These credits are different from the credits on your UCONN transcript and depend on a number of factors.) For your UCONN transcript, credits will be calculated by the number of hours of instruction at a rate of roughly 15 hours worth 1 credit (credits can be given on 1000 or 3000 level depending on the difficulty of the German course), provided the course had the equivalent written requirement of a regular UConn course. For example, if you take an advanced German language course in Germany that meets for a total of 90 hours, you can expect to earn 6 credits for the course upon your return to UCONN. Please note that the academic hour in Germany is usually 45 minutes long. Thus a course that meets for 90 min per week for 15 weeks (2Semesterwochenstunden, abbreviated SWS) counts as 30 hours and earns you two credits at UConn. (See also answers to related questions 12 to 16 and 19 to 21 in this FAQ.)

7) Will I need to have my registration bar lifted even if I am going to be abroad next semester?

No. There is much confusion about this issue. You should NOT have your registration bar lifted. The Study Abroad Office will assign temporary placeholder credits on your transcript while you’re abroad (“OFFC 4641 Study In Germany”). For this process, the registration bar does not need to be lifted. (If, however, you have a bar from the Bursar’s Office for outstanding payments, you will need to get the issue straightened out. You can see what kind of bar it is by clicking on the “prohibited” symbol.) Once you’re back at UCONN, you will need to submit your German transcript for course credit transfer. These transferred credits will then replace the temporary placeholder OFFC 4641.

8) What will appear on my transcript/Peoplesoft/Student Administration while I am abroad?

The Study Abroad Office will assign temporary placeholder credits on your transcript while you’re abroad (“OFFC 4641 Study In Germany”). Once you’re back at UCONN, you will need to submit your German transcript for course credit transfer. These transferred credits will then replace the temporary placeholder OFFC 4641.

9) When I am abroad, do I need to monitor my UCONN email account?

Absolutely! It is very important that you check your UCONN email account even if you may use a different account for your everyday correspondence. We will contact you through your UCONN email account. There will also be important message for you related to enrollment upon your return, etc. There are ways to forward emails from your UCONN account to your other account if you wish to avoid having to login in multiple accounts. Just be sure to monitor your UCONN inbox.

10) I am doing an internship in Germany and will need to write a report. When should I write this report?

It is highly recommended that you write this report during your internship or shortly thereafter. Your memory will be fresh and you will be able to ask colleagues or supervisors to explain details to you in German that you can include in your report. Once you’re back at UCONN and the semester has started, you are not likely to find the time to work on it.

11) How long is an internship report and what should I include?

The report should be 10 to 15 pages. It must be in German and will be graded. It should include information about the company/institution and what you did during your internship. If necessary, you may include a reasonable (!) number of illustrations. You may also include information on finding this internship, on coping with the language barrier, on your interaction with your colleagues, what you learned, liked or disliked. The internship is worth 6 credits.