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International students at Georgia Tech represent 104 different countries


Leipzig Graduate Exchange Program

LEIPZIG GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Program Level: Graduate
Number of Weeks/Term: 16


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.

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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.

Leipzig
Nestled in the eastern part of Germany, the city of Leipzig is home to nearly 23,000 students. It is very rich in culture with its theaters, orchestras, libraries, art academies, and art collections. One can travel through the city with ease, be it by train, city-rail, tram, underground, bus, or taxi. Leipzig is about 75 miles from Dresden, about 190 miles from Prague (Czech Republic) and a 1.5 hour train ride from Berlin.

The Federal Republic of Germany lies in the Heart of Europe surrounded by a total of 9 neighboring countries. From its existence as part of the Holy Roman Empire to becoming a founding member of the European Union, Germany is known for its history. Today, Germany is the most populated country in Europe. 80 million people live in Germany, of whom 6.5 million are foreigners. Germany offers beautiful scenery, historical sites, and many recreational activities. Due to its central position Germany functions within the EU and NATO as a bridge to the Central and Eastern European states and is an important location for European and global relations.

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PROGRAM DATES
Fall Term: late August - late December (German Fall Term)
Spring Term: early January - late March (German Winter Term)
Academic Year: late August - late March

NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the fall, spring, or for a full academic year.

YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
1997

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HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Leipzig Graduate School of Management (HHL) is a private business school that has been recognized by the German government since 1994. Even though Leipzig holds the title of Germany's oldest business school, it remains relatively small. With just over 200 students and a student to professor ratio of 1 to 15, HHL is able to provide a general management education of the highest academic standards to its students. HHL was recently accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

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ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

Subject Areas Available:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • German
  • Management

Language Information
Courses are taught mainly in English, there are particular courses only offered in German. If you have not taken any German but would like to learn some while you are there, HHL offers a beginning German class for exchange students. Or, if you have taken some German and would like to use your stay in Germany as an occasion to improve your German, HHL offers an advanced level German course for exchange students.

Course Information
For detailed course information: click here

Doing Business in the Enlarged European Union Program
Leipzig offers a two-week course during the Summer entitled "Doing Business in the Enlarged European Union." Academic and other information about the short course is available on-line: click here

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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
Leipzig uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit

GRADING SYSTEM
Leipzig uses the ECTS grading system listed below:
Leipzig Grade = US Grade
A, B = A
C = B
D = C
E = D
FX, F = F

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

  • Georgia Tech degree-seeking MBA graduate student
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • all applicants should have a solid background in business
  • graduates complete at least one semester 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

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    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.

    The Center for International Business Education and Research, which is housed in the College of Management and directed by Dr. John McIntyre, may have funding available to offset the cost of participation in this program.

    The currency used in Germany is the Euro (EUR). Exchange rates fluctuate so check the newspaper or click here 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 HHL that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.

    In State Tuition $4,469
    Out of State Tuition $4,719
    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) $650
    Roundtrip Airfare $900
    Room and Board $2,500
    Additional Language Instruction $0
    Mandatory Insurance $150
    Total $9,737 (in state)
    $9,987 (out of state)

    *Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.

    *Costs in the preceding chart are estimates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "MBA students." 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.

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    HOUSING AND MEALS
    Housing

  • off-campus residence halls
  • off-campus apartment/room for rent
  • hostels

    On-campus dormitory housing is not available at Leipzig, but Leipzig is home to so many students that it is not very difficult to find a place to live. Many students in Leipzig live in what is known as "Wohngemeinschaft - WG." These are student communities in privately rented apartments. Two or more students share a two or more bedroom apartment with bathroom and kitchen. If you are interested in finding a place in a WG you might want to get in touch with other students that are going to spend the same exchange semester Leipzig. You can contact the International Relations Office at Leipzig to request information on other incoming students, and click here to view the Wohngemeinschaft-WG website.

    Also, rooms and apartments will be advertised in local newspapers and magazines. The International Relations Office at Leipzig has links to websites that will help in your housing search click here

    Meals
  • NO meal plan
  • on-campus dining

    Great food and a great atmosphere make the dining experience in Leipzig very pleasant so Leipzig is famous for its many restaurants and coffee houses. The choice of restaurants in Leipzig is broad and varied. In Leipzig you can find restaurants representing nearly all the countries in the world. Recently, take-out restaurants that deliver pizza, Chinese food, and Mexican food have become very popular.

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    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, go to click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.

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    EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
    About a third of the Leipzig consists of green spaces, woodlands, parks, small gardens and allotments, and sports grounds. There are a number of riding stables open to both beginners and experienced riders. The Clara Zetkin Park and the Rosental are large green recreation areas only a few minutes' walk away from the historical city centre. In summer, their ponds, fountains, lawns, playgrounds, seats and an open-air stage are available for many different kinds of leisure activities. Other green oases in Leipzig include the Botanical Gardens, highlighting among other things a butterfly house with about 200 different species, and the Leipzig Zoo.

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    CLIMATE
    Leipzig has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, although there can be the odd cold snap when the temperature drops below freezing. The average annual rainfall is 30 inches each month. Average temperatures range from around 32ºF in January to 65ºF in July and August.

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    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

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    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

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    EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
    click here

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    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

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    Hidden Fields:
    Leipzig
    Germany
    Europe
    Semester
    16
    12
    English/German
    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: click here