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Universität Konstanz Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 14 |
- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Germany
Germany is one of the world's leading industrialized countries. Located in Europe, it is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Germany is a democratic parliamentary federal republic, made up of 16 states, which in certain spheres act independently of the federation. Germany was unified as a nation state during the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.
The Federal Republic of Germany is a member state of the United Nations, NATO, the G8 and the G4 nations, and is a founding member of the European Union. It is the European Union's most populous and economically most powerful member state.
Konstanz
Konstanz is in one of the most beautiful regions in Germany, directly on Lake Constance, on the borders to Switzerland and Austria, not far from Italy and France, and with a huge variety of leisure and athletic activities. You can discover the city of Konstanz with its over one thousand year old history … enjoy the city theater or listen to jazz in the clubs … tour the Swiss Alps or perhaps visit Zurich … swim, surf, and sail
Lake Constance.
PROGRAM DATES
Full Academic Year: mid October - late July
Spring Term: mid April - late July
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED
2008
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The University of Konstanz was founded 1966, directly at the Lake of Konstanz with an outstanding reputation both in Germany and abroad. It is one of few German campus-universities with remarkable architecture: the all encompassing concept of Art of Architecture is guarantee for exciting impressions behind literally every corner you pass.
About 10.000 students from more than eighty countries are studying at the University. You are able to select from over 40 different fields of study in the Natural and Social Science and the Humanities.
The University ground is conceived as a living and working environment. All the buildings are close together and you can reach all departments without leaving the building. The center of the campus is the entrance area, from where you can reach easily every department, the mensaria (for lunch) or the lake and the forest in less than 10 minutes.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
-
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics
German
History, Technology, and Society
International Affairs
Literature, Communication, and Culture
Management
Mathematics
Modern Languages
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
Course Information
For details about courses available, click here.
Language Information
The main language of instruction is German, though some course/programs are offered in English. GT recommends that students complete at least 2 years of college level German or have the equivalent advanced/3000 level of skills before participating in this program.
For more information about a pre-term intensive language course, click here.
Additionally, the University offers courses in German as a foreign language for international students at no cost. Instruction is available at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Some of the courses are field-specific (e.g. courses featuring specific German terminology for law, economics, and politics and management). In March and September of each year, the University offers a four-week intensive language course and orientation program for arriving international students. There are information sessions and placement tests for instruction in German as a foreign language at the beginning of the winter and summer semesters.
TopCREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions, click here.
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form, click here.
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
Under construction
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
- Georgia Tech degree-seeking undergraduate student
3.0 GPA or higher - undergraduates complete at least two semesters of college-level study prior to participation
- at least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
enroll in 12 or more credit hours at the host institution and earn a C or higher for each course - international students (non-US citizens) may have additional requirements set by the overseas university
all students must have completed all the prerequisites for any courses they wish to take - provide evidence of adequate level of German (recommend 3000 level German) if participating in the semester program
PROGRAM COSTS
Semester Program participants must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) created the Undergraduate Scholarship Program to support undergraduate US and Canadian students interested in studying, doing research, or completing an internship in Germany. The scholarship review committee is looking for students who are currently Sophomores or Juniors in any academic field, are seeking DAAD support for a 4-10 month period in Germany during the German academic year, and demonstrate an interest in contemporary German and European affairs and who explain the significance of their project in Germany to their future studies, research or professional goals. The application deadline is generally in late January for the following academic year. More information about this scholarship opportunity is available on the DAAD web site: click here
The currency in Germany is the Euro (EUR). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Following are cost estimates for one semester at Konstanz that may help you prepare for your term abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3035 Out of State Tuition $3285 GT Mandatory Fees $818 Books and Supplies $250 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $235 Roundtrip Airfare $1500 Room and Board $3000 Additional Language Instruction varies Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $8988 (in state) $9238 (out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
TopHOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
- student housing
- off-campus apartment/room for rent
As in most German university towns, it is not particularly easy in Konstanz to find a
room or an apartment to rent on the private market. If you come to Konstanz as part of an
exchange program, you are generally granted access to the housing offered by
the Seezeit Student Welfare Office Bodensee (Seezeit Studentenwerk Bodensee).
For more information on student housing, click here.
Meals
- NO meal plan
- on-campus dining
The Seezeit Student Welfare Service Bodensee offers at its Cafeteria (”Mensaria“) a wide range of meals, snacks, and drinks and a unique view of Lake Constance and Mainau Island. Hot and cold meals are available and there is something for every taste and budget. The ”Stammessen“ (a hot meal with fixed side dishes) costs 2.25 €, while the ”Wahlessen“ (a hot meal with a choice of side dishes) costs 2.50 €. In addition, there are also delicious dishes from the wok or the grill and organic selections. The Mensaria
also features a wide range of salads and antipasti and dessert buffets.
In addition, the Mensaria offers hungry snackers sandwiches, warm snacks, and diverse dairy products. All the classic Italian coffee specialties are available from the coffee machines. The vitamin and juice bar offers colorful milkshakes and vitamin-chocked juices. Of course, a range of soft-drinks, mineral waters, and juices are also available. The ”Campus Café“ in the University’s entry area holds the reputation of making the best cappuccino. The ”Seezeit Strandbar“ (beach bar) on the Rhine is a tempting place to spend mild summer evenings. If you would like to know more about the University menu, please click here.
INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Sailing and surfing on Lake Constance, hiking, rock and mountain climbing, new sports trends – no muscle is left untrained at the University Sports Center at the University of Konstanz. It offers a selection of sports that is in a class of its own, with spacious modern sports facilities, beaches on the lake, a professional climbing facility, a high ropes course, gymnasiums and athletic fields. click here
Theater and Big Band Orchestra
”The world’s a stage!“ and the players on it are the members of the University theater as actors, scenery designers, lighting crew, and musicians. The ensemble presents theater at a professional level. The University’s big band plays jazz, swing, rock, and improvises.
Choir and Orchestra
Are you a fan of Monteverdi’s ”Orpheus” opera and his ”Vesper for the Blessed Virgin”, of Handel’s ”Messiah” or Carl Orff’s ”Carmina Burana”, or perhaps Benjamin Britten’s ”War Requiem”? The Orchestra primarily performs works of the Romantic period and the twentieth century.
CLIMATE
Although Germany lies, for the main part, north of the US-Canadian border and is nearer the Arctic Circle than the equator, the climate is moderate without extreme cold or hot periods. Most of Germany is situated in the moderately cool west wind zone with damp westerly winds from the North Sea. The climate in northwest and northern Germany is notably oceanic with rainfall all year round. The winters there are relatively mild and the summers comparatively cool. Eastern Germany has all the characteristics of a continental climate. There are often long cold periods in winter and the summers can be very warm. This region is also often affected by long periods of dry weather. Temperatures are at their highest in July and their lowest in January. Local differences in temperature and rainfall are commonplace. It rains more often to the west of the mountains in Germany than to the east. There are also islands of warm areas nested in the protective zones between the uplands, like the lowlands along the Upper Rhine. The lowlands of northern Germany have an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius in July. The sunnier areas of southern Germany reach average temperatures of 19.4 degrees Celsius.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online click here.
U.S. citizens are allowed to stay in Germany for 90 days without a visa. For stays of more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa. For visa information, contact the German Consulate in Atlanta click here.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
- Attend an exchange program information session. For dates visit: click here. If you are unable to attend, please make an appointment with the OIE staff member listed below.
- Download the OIE Exchange and Study/Work Abroad Application instructions at click here and submit the completed application by the appropriate deadline.
Deadlines: Fall/academic year/summer applications are generally due in mid-February. Spring applications are generally due in early to mid-September. Specifics are listed in the application packet. - Visit the host institution's course information link located under "academic disciplines". Print course descriptions of all the courses of interest that you believe will fit into your GT academic plan.
- Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to review course options, bring course descriptions to help.
- If you need to get or renew a passport, you should start that process now! Passport information is online: click here
- For financial aid information: click here
- For scholarship information: click here
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
Konstanz
Germany
Europe
Semester
14
12
German, English
For more info, contact OIE.
Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host university’s students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.
In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.
In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
GT’s International Plan: More than just study abroad
Your major is participating in this new initiative!
The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, “BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan.” For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: http://www.oie.gatech.edu/internationalplan