|
LMU - LUDWIG MAXIMILIANS UNIVERSITäT MüNCHEN Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 16 |
- 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.
Munich
The Bavarian city of Munich, centre of southern Germany, is one of the country's favourite tourist destinations, offering a unique combination of modern flair and traditional charm, all mixed together with a heavy helping of "Gemutlichkeit", the special German term for hearty, happy, healthy togetherness.
Traditionally the city, famous for its breweries and beer halls, conjures up images of jolly red-cheeked, portly men in lederhosen, downing steins of beer. There is plenty of this fun to be had, but Munich and the Bavarian region have plenty more to recommend it to visitors. The city has numerous great museums, art treasures, hi-tech industries and gems of Gothic and Baroque architecture. It is also the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, drawing winter sports enthusiasts from near and far.
Munich itself was founded in 1158 on the River Isar, and acquired its name, Munchen (home of the monks) from its first monastery. It was the monks who started the beer brewing tradition for which the city is now world famous, particularly since it started celebrating an annual beer festival in 1810. Today close to six million people visit the Oktoberfest every year.
(Information obtained from www.worldtravels.com)
PROGRAM DATES
Full Academic Year: early October - mid July
Spring Term: early April - mid July
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2004
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
LMU Munich is one of the leading research universities in Europe, with a more than 500-year-long tradition. We build upon our success in the Excellence Initiative, a Germany-wide competition promoting top-level university research, to enhance our research profile over the next years and strengthen our position at an international level.
The know-how and creative intelligence of our academics form the foundation not only of our success in the Excellence competition, but also of LMU's outstanding research balance as recognized by many national and international university rankings. Some 700 professors and 3,300 academic staff members conduct research and teach in the universitys 18 faculties, offering a wide and well-differentiated spectrum that covers all areas of knowledge, whether humanities and cultural sciences, law, economics and sociology, or medicine and the sciences. As a genuine "universitas" LMU Munich has the unique opportunity and a deep obligation to deal with the ever more complex questions facing humankind, society, culture, the environment and technology by creating interdisciplinary solutions.
With degree programs available in 150 subjects in numerous combinations, the array of courses we have to offer is extremely wide. Some 44,000 students, 15 percent of whom come to us from abroad, are currently taking advantage of these opportunities. They view their studies as an investment in the future, a launching pad for their later careers.
LMU Munich takes the education of young people very seriously. When we speak of academic diversity, we also mean a comprehensive education that encompasses social skills alongside a critical awareness of values and history. This includes the Munich legacy of the Weisse Rose, the student-based resistance group that opposed Nazism.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- German
- International Affairs
Course Information
For details about courses available, click here
Although the main language of instruction if German, LMU offers some courses in English. For details about classes taught in English at LMU during the Fall and Spring 2009 semester, click here and click here. Although the courses taught in English change from year to year, looking at the previous term's offerings is a good guide to what may be available.
Language Information
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.
German language courses are available: click here
CREDIT 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
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
LMU uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
LMU uses the following grading system:
LMU Grade = US Grade
1.0-2.7 = A
2.8-3.9 = B
4.0-4.9 = C
5/6 = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
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.
For the academic year 2009/10, LMU is able to provide funding for the implementation of a Teaching Assistantship Programme called “the Partnership Exchange Programme” or “PEP” for short. Under this scheme, LMU offers students from valued partner universities the opportunity to combine studying at LMU with work experience. The work experience would entail a few hours per week in either a university institute, their international office or in their language centre as a teaching assistant/tutor.
Students selected for this programme will sign a contract of employment and will receive the sum of 400€ per month. Students can use this salary to cover their accommodation costs and part of their living expenses while in Munich.
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 LMU that may help you prepare for your term abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $818 Books and Supplies $350 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $1,330 Roundtrip Airfare $1,200 Room and Board $3,625 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $10,508 (in state) $10,758 (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.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
Exchange students can apply for university housing, but cannot be guaranteed a place. For more information: click here
Meals
Meals are not offered as a part of the housing package but can be purchased on campus at cafeterias and at various local restaurants. For more information: click here Top
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
The Ludwig-Maximilians University and many other organizations as well provide a wide range of activities for international students in Munich. This provides a lot of opportunities to get to know the culture and the people of our fair city and this beautiful region while being in Munich as an international student. On offer are not only entertainment and information events in Munich but also excursions to other cities in Germany and neighbor countries, guided city tours etc. click here
Central University Sports (Zentrale Hochschulsport - ZHS) organizes athletics among the Munich universities and colleges. As an LMU Munich student you are able to take part in the many sports they have to offer for a nominal fee. ZHS issues a program twice a year that's available at International Affairs and the various other information desks. click here
CLIMATE
Coastal regions of Germany have a temperate climate with warm summers and mild cloudy winters. Inland, the climate is more continental with warmer summers and colder winters. The Alpine and upland regions have cooler weather and more rain. Rain can be expected throughout the country all year round. The average temperature in Munich is between 35ºF (January) and 63ºF (July), the annual precipitation is about 31 inches.
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:
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
Munich
Germany
Europe
Semester
16
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 universitys 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.
GTs 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: click here