Germany – Bonn: Spring 2017
Germany – Bonn: Spring 2017
Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms Universitat Bonn
Focus
The goal of the program is to allow students to deepen and strengthen
language skills by practicing language in the university setting and
participate in an internship in a local business or non-profit. Students on
this program enroll in German language and culture classes alongside
other international students and participate in excursions and activities
that include local sights and a trip to Berlin.
NOTE: Beginning Spring 2016, the University of Bonn requires all shortterm students to participate in the full summer semester.
Location
Bonn, the former capital of West Germany until Reunification in 1989,
has approximately 290,000 inhabitants and is located along the west
bank of the Rhine River. Bonn offers an array of entertainment,
historical monuments, parks, and easy transportation to other cities in
mainland Europe. Points of interest include: Beethoven’s house, the
Rhineland Museum (which houses the first Neanderthal skull ever
discovered), and the Alter Zoll (an ancient fortress whose ruins make a
wonderful viewing point from which visitors can see across the Rhine to
the Seven Mountains).
Application Info
Application Due Date: Oct. 25, 2016
Class Standing Requirement:
Soph (8 academic units) or
Jr (17 academic units)
**Jrs admitted if space available
GPA Requirement: Minimum of 2.5
Language of Instruction: German
Language Requirement: Min German 102,
Max German 203
Program Info
Program Type: Group 2 Non-K Program
Program Length: Short term
Program Fee: $17,864 (2016)
Program Dates: Early April to Mid July
Culture
Bonn is different from the rest of Germany; it retains an international flair
from when it was the capital of West Germany, and it is a university
town of full of international students. While most buildings were
destroyed during WWII, they were rebuilt in the original style so they
look old even though they've only been around for 40 years.
Bonn is Germany’s 19th largest city—but for those wanting to
experience a larger city, Germany’s fourth largest, Cologne (Köln) is 15
minutes away by train, and the train pass is included in your student
travel ticket. Bonn is on the Rhine River, which is famous for its castles.
Students suggest that you check out the castles with a boat tour (free
with Eurail pass), or you can go by bike—there are nice paths that hug
the river between Koblenz and Bingen, where you'll see at least 15
castles.
Housing: Students live in German student
dormitories located throughout the city. Dorms
include kitchenettes. Students use public
transportation to the university.
Typical Courses: Upon arrival, students take a
German language test and are placed into a
German language class accordingly. Students
take one course (at 1 unit each) of intensive
German Language (GERM), German Civilization
and Culture (GERM), and German History
(GERM/HIST) in addition to the ICRP.
Enrollment: Max of 18
Resident Permit: Participants that hold a U.S.
Passport do not need to apply for a resident permit if
they are in Germany less than 90 days. Students who
are accepted to the short-term program will be required
to get a resident permit. 150 Euro = 165 US Dollars
More on Bonn…
Want to Learn More?
The ICRP
The Integrative Cultural Project is a structured experiential project that
explores global issues and local responses while enhancing students’
local language skills. On-site staff assists with project design, student
placement, or both. The project results in a major paper (10-15 pages)
and yields 1 K unit when turned in before the end of the academic
program (or no credit will be awarded). Summaries of past ICRP
projects
are
posted
on
the
CIP
website
at
https://reason.kzoo.edu/cip/ICRP/.
Credit Transfer
Students must earn the equivalent of a C (D in the local grading
system) to receive credit for coursework completed abroad. Academic
Learn more about this program here:
http://www3.unibonn.de/studying/internationalstudents/exchange-and-studyabroad/jyp/study-abroad?set_language=en
Check out Hornet Passport:
http://kalamazoo.studioabroad.com/index.cf
m?FuseAction=Programs.SimpleSearch
E-mail your CIP Peer Advisors:
[email protected]. They may be able to
connect you with students who have
returned from this program!
Look for announcements for the
Smorgasbords, Sophomore Meeting and
the Study Abroad Study Away Fair.
credit for only one first-year course can be transferred to Kalamazoo
College. The remaining courses must be at the second or third-year
level. Coursework must be completed and turned in before the end of
the academic program or no credit will be given. Grades from all
eligible study abroad courses will appear on the Kalamazoo transcript
but are not included in the Kalamazoo grade point average.
Students on the Short-Term program must enroll in the equivalent of 3
K-Units of credit. In order to be counted as one K-Unit of credit, a
course must be within the liberal arts tradition and have 40-45 contact
hours. One K-Unit is equivalent to 3-4 semester credits. No partial
credit is given. In cases where students must combine courses to
achieve the minimum number of contact hours for a unit of credit, both
courses must be from the same discipline.
Student Comments
Rhine in Flame is a huge festival that takes place during the short
term program in a vast park on the Rhine in the city's south side. It
is attended by millions of people and has a great fireworks
display, rides, and good food.
You attend classes with tons of other international students from
all over the world, so you have to speak German with them inside
and outside of class since many do not speak English—this allows
you to practice your German without apprehension!
I miss shopping in German supermarkets. I learned a lot about
German culture and had quite a few conversations with other
German shoppers.
This document contains the most accurate information
available at time of publication. Statements contained
herein are not contractual obligations, and verbal or other
representations that are inconsistent with or not contained
within the Academic Catalogue’s offerings or policies are not
binding. Kalamazoo College and the Center for International
Programs each reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or
change without specific notice, programs, offerings, policies,
procedures, qualifications, fees, and other conditions of its
study abroad program. Rev. Date 8/16