Summer in Trier, Germany: German Language, Culture and Literature

  Germany

• Other Cities in Germany: 
Trier

Term: Summer 
Dates: May - July 2010

Description: For the 39th consecutive year, the Department of German, in conjunction with the Office of International Programs conducts a five-week academic program at the facilities of the University of Trier, Germany. The program, directed by Professor Peter C. Pfeiffer, offers courses in German language, literature and culture, as well as business German. All courses are taught in German by instructors from Georgetown University and the University of Trier. Intensive Intermediate and Intensive Advanced German meet every weekday for three hours; three-credit courses meet four times a week for one-and-a-half hours. Participants whose language competence is beyond Intensive Advanced German enroll in two three-credit courses, each of which meets four times a week.

For students taking three-credit courses, internships with local business establishments can be arranged (limited availability). Internships last 1-2 weeks and take place every afternoon after class. As a special feature, the program offers a service-based learning colloquium that combines working with the Catholic Diocese of Trier Social Services with rigorous academic study.

All students must sign a language pledge to speak only German for the duration of the program.

Course Offerings:

GERM-032-62 Intensive Intermediate German
GERM-111-62 Intensive Advanced German
GERM-153-62 Mitten in Europa: Reading and Writing about Germany in Europe
- Contemporary German Topics -
GERM-175-62 Business German (Students will also enroll in GERM-176-62.)
GERM-176-62 Internship: limited availability
GERM-264-62/364-62 Portraits of the Artist: German Literature of the 20th Century
GERM-332-62/382-62 Germany 1870-1990: Modernity and Image
GERM-335-62 Service Learning Colloquium I
GERM-336-62 Service Learning Colloquium II

Highlights: The University and Town:

Trier, Germany's oldest city and one of the former capitals of the Western Roman Empire, is located 120 miles west of Frankfurt, close to the Luxembourg border. This safe and picturesque town on the Moselle River offers the visitor of today a fascinating combination of ancient history and the conveniences of a modern city with an extraordinarily diverse cultural activities calendar. Designated a "World Cultural Heritage Site" by the United Nations, Trier has a stunning collection of archeological sites and monuments dating back over 2000 years. Students can climb a beautifully preserved Roman city gate (the Porta Nigra), explore the former Roman Imperial Baths, hear a concert in the largest surviving single-room structure from Roman times (Constantine's throne room, the Basilika), and see a theatrical performance in a Roman Amphitheater as part of the Antikenfestspiele. Other popular attractions include the 1700-year-old cathedral, the oldest Gothic church in Germany (Liebfrauenkirche), Karl Marx's birthplace, and the Roman Archeological Museum (Landesmuseum). For entertainment there are many events throughout the summer, including the multi-day "Altstadtfest" with live music and performances, the International Organ Music Festival, and live theater and music in the Tuchfabrik, a renovated factory with performance spaces and a restaurant/cafe. Because of its location in the Moselle river valley, Trier also offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, such as a hike up to the "Mariensäule" for a view from above the city or a bike ride along the river to quaint towns and vineyards. Trier is also a regional administrative center, a major destination for shopping in the area, and the center for the famed Moselle river wine industry. The city has an excellent metropolitan bus system for which students receive a monthly pass.

The medium-sized university with its approximately 11,000 students occupies a modern campus in the hills above the city. Participants of the program will receive temporary student IDs from the university, which will give them full access to the university's computer labs, libraries, and sports facilities and also make them eligible for special student rates at cultural events, concerts, movie theaters, regular theaters, and other venues in town. It also allows students to use the university's Mensa or dining hall that offers a variety of dishes (including a good selection of vegetarian food) at the student rate (approximately 3-4 euros for a full meal). Students are also welcome to take advantage of the many university-related extra-curricular offerings. In past summers, program participants became involved in activities as varied as joining the university club rugby team, riding horses at the university stables, playing ultimate Frisbee, or taking belly dancing lessons.

Accommodations and Excursions:

Students will be housed privately with carefully selected German families or individuals. Field trips to sites of artistic and historical interest in the Trier area as well as three longer excursions to the romantic Burg Eltz, Luxembourg, and Bonn are part of the program and will supplement the academic offerings. On weekends when there are no excursions planned, students are free to travel.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Inquire for more information.

Experience Required: yes

Students must be at an intermediate level of German in order to participate in the program. A minimum 2.7 GPA is also required.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Germany Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Georgetown University Office of International Programs's Mission Statement: The mission of Overseas Studies at Georgetown University is to promote, support, and develop international and intercultural educational opportunities for students, and in so doing, help to define the international character of Georgetown. These programs are developed and evaluated in collaboration with the wider Georgetown community to ensure that they are academically rigorous, linguistically appropriate, and complementary to the Georgetown curriculum. In keeping with the Jesuit philosophy of education and service, these overseas opportunities invite participants to reflect on the values that form their own identities, and encourage them to assume their roles as responsible world citizens. The Office of International Programs offers more than 120 programs in 39 countries.