The Program

Ready to apply those hard-earned German language skills on a day-to-day basis? To experience a vibrant eastern German city that has successfully reintegrated into a free market economy? Then Leipzig is the program for you!

The UW-Eau Claire program is offered in conjunction with the Herder Institute at the University of Leipzig. Founded in the 1400s, the University is one of Europe's oldest, and the Herder Institute is one of the premier institutes for German-as-a Foreign Language.

The program is designed for intermediate level students and features small classes, dynamic instruction, and individual attention. Courses are taught by Herder Institute instructors and by the accompanying UW-Eau Claire professor of German.

The program includes excursions to cities such as Berlin, Weimar, Dresden, Wittenberg, Naumburg and Bamberg. Leipzig's train station has the most tracks of any station in Germany. It is a great starting point for getting just about anywhere in Europe. Munich, Vienna,Geneva, Prague, Warsaw, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Florence are less than a day away by train.

Location

A lively city in the east of Germany, Leipzig has been a commercial and cultural center for centuries. With roughly half-a-million inhabitants, Leipzig is at the heart of the fastest growing economic region in Europe.

Courses

The program is divided into three distinct academic sections.

WEEKS ONE-THREE
For the first three weeks, you will have an intensive German language course aimed at getting you comfortable applying your German skills in-and-out of the classroom.

WEEK FOUR
During the fourth week, you will take your language out of the classroom and apply it in a local business or organization. Placements may include schools, a women's shelter, youth center, kindergarten, nursing home or business.

WEEKS FIVE-FOURTEEN
For the remaining ten weeks of the program, you will take a variety of courses related to German language and culture. All courses will include intensive language practice, aiming at the development of reading, writing and speaking skills. Possible courses include:

German 202/313: Grammar & Composition
German 314: Current Events
German 342: German Travel Studies
German 353: Postwar German Culture & Civilization
German 395: Postwar Literature

Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn 12-15 credits. The program also fulfills the UW-Eau Claire foreign culture requirement.


Academic Calendar

The program will begin in late January or early February and run through mid-May, including a one-week spring break. Exact dates will be determined the semester prior to departure.

WHERE WILL I LIVE?
In terms of housing, the program offers the best of both worlds. You will begin with a four-week homestay with a German family, giving you the opportunity to apply your classroom learning immediately while becoming accustomed to your new surroundings. After a month, you will move into a student dormitory at the University of Leipzig and spend the remainder of the semester experiencing the life of a German university student.

WHERE WILL I EAT?
Your host family will provide breakfast during the home stay. For all other meals, you will have access to a university cafeteria.

Expenses

The estimated Spring 2010 Wisconsin resident charge is $7,790. This includes full-time UW-Eau Claire tuition, housing, a local transportation pass, CISI insurance, and administrative fees. Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity, while non-residents should add $900.

Additional costs to expect: passport, books, food, personal expenses and airfare. Estimate another $3,300 for these expenses. 

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $11,090. Cost estimates are based on current exchange rates and may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Four scholarships ($250 to $1000) are available through the German section of Foreign Languages. Pick up an application in Hibbard 378. If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs.  Your financial aid package will be based on actual costs in Germany, including round-trip airfare.  You can learn about additional options, including a grant through UW-Eau Claire Foundation; a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships at http://uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility

The program is open to all academically eligible undergraduate students nationwide. It is intended for intermediate-level language students. A minimum GPA of 2.8 and good academic standing are required at the time of application. You may apply as a freshman but must have sophomore standing and have completed three semesters of university-level German by the time the program begins.



Application Deadline

Applications for Spring 2010 are accepted beginning January 15, 2009.  The priority application deadline for Spring 2010 is April 1,
2009. 

Complete applications will be reviewed after this date. Late applications will be considered if space is still available. Please contact the CIE to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application. No applications will be accepted after May 1, 2009 for Spring 2010.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.



Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI   54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu