|
WHU KOBLENZ - OTTO BEISHEIM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT Program Level: Undergraduate/Graduate 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
Koblenz
The 2,000 year old town of Koblenz is caught in-between the picturesque landscapes of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers and surrounded by four low mountain ranges. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historical buildings, the cozy little lanes, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a sympathetic town where its guests feel right at home. The view from high above the Rhine at Ehrenbreitstein Fortress stretches across to the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its re-erected monument, the Reiterdenkmal. The Reiterdenkmal is a meeting point for visitors from all over the world, and offers a wonderful view of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.
In 1995, Koblenz was selected by FOCUS magazine as the third most attractive and livable city in Germany (after Munich and Hamburg) out of 84 urban areas. The Federal Republic of Germany lies in the Heart of Europe and it consists of 16 states known as "Länder." With a population of 81 million people, Germany is the second most populated country in Europe.
PROGRAM DATES
Fall Term: early September -late December
Spring Term: mid-January - late April
Academic Year: early September - late April
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the fall, spring, or for a full academic year. Students may also participate in one of the following summer programs:
European Bachelor Summer Institute, "The Business, Political and Cultural Environment in Europe": click here
European MBA Summer Institute, "The Changing Environment for International Business in Europe": click here
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
1997
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The WHU Otto Beishem School of Management is a private university. It is the first school in Germany to offer courses in business administration, which focus on corporate management. Based on a sound core education in economics and business administration, studies at the WHU concentrate on the strategic functions of the corporation, focusing particularly on managerial and organizational problems, investment in and use of technology and the need to achieve competitive advantage. To fulfill its mission, the WHU focuses on business life, international character, and personal development. WHU Koblenz is located in Vallendor, a small town ("suburb") near to Koblenz.
WHU also provides students with opportunities to network with German companies with the possibiltiy of arranging an internship.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Accounting
- German
- Economics
- Management
Language Information
All undergraduate courses are taught in German. 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. Graduate courses are taught in either English or German.
WHU offers a FREE German class to all exchange students that takes place from September to November (Fall Semester) and from January to Early April (Spring Semester).
Course Information
For more information on the courses taught at WHU (go to "International Programs): click here
Note
WHU sends a WHU Student Guide to all exchange students. This guide contains short descriptions of all WHU courses, including lecturers and contact hours. The most up-to-date Student Guide is available to students when they arrive at WHU. Students are allowed to attend any class for the first three weeks. At the end of the three-week period, students make their course choices and finalize their registration.
Please note that lectures at the WHU often do not take place at the same time and same place every week. For example, a course can run for four hours one day through a whole week. Only a few courses meet in the same place every week at the same time. In order to keep abreast of the schedule and location of a class, you'll have to be diligent about checking the "Raumabeilungsplan" for the room number and time. Top
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.
WHU uses the SWS German Credit System, which it converts to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for US students:
1 SWS credit = 2.25 ECTS credits, then 1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
WHU uses the standard German grading system listed below:
ECTS Grade = WHU Grade = US Grade
A = 1.0/1.3 = A
B = 1.7/2.0/2.3 = A
C = 2.7/3.0 = B
D = 3.3/3.7 = C
E = 4.0 = D
F = 5.0 = 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.
DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
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. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 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) $450 Roundtrip Airfare $1,500 Room and Board $3,115 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $9,318 (in state) $9,568 (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
WHU rents some rooms and a small kitchen in a dormitory at an education center in Vallendar. The dorm is 4km from WHU and it takes 45 minutes to get there on foot so WHU arranges for a cheap taxi service around the clock. For more information on the dorm and other housing information, click here.
WHU has no student residences on campus, but there are many private houses in Vallendar and Niederwerth, a small island in the Rhine River across from Vallendar. WHU provides assistance in finding an apartment/room for you. However, acquiring housing for the semester is ultimately your responsibility.
Meals
WHU has a university restaurant within the school. For students, meal prices range from $2 to $4. Dining in the university restaurant is a great way to meet students. If you live in an apartment/room with kitchen facilities, you'll be able to do some of your own cooking. There are great restaurants in Koblenz so you have lots of options for your meals. 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
Despite the tightly organized program of studies, student life at WHU is by no means neglected. Be it sports, music, art, journalism, theater, or the "WHU-Daxe" stock market club, campus life offers something for everyone. The annual WHU ski trip, the graduates' ball, the orientation week for the "Quitschies" (first-semester students), and even Career Day are organized by the students themselves.
CLIMATE
Germany lies between the west winds of the Atlantic ocean and the Continental climate of the south. There is rainfall in every season. During the winter, temperatures can vary from 41ºF to negative 41ºF! The summer temperatures range between 64ºF and 86ºF.
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
Koblenz
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