Study Abroad

Why Study Abroad in Germany?

There are many advantages to studying abroad. Here are a few:

  • You improve your language skills by surrounding yourself with German speakers.
  • You experience everyday life in Germany first-hand (like buying Brötchen at the Bäckerei).
  • You gain a deeper understanding of Germany’s national identity by visiting important historical sites and participating in various cultural activities.
  • You broaden your perspective by observing different people and institutions. 

The German Department sponsors two programs abroad for undergraduates. Participation in these programs is open to all students who meet minimum language proficiency levels, not just to German majors or minors.

Summer Program in Munich

Participants in the 2018 Summer Program in Munich

This 4-week program allows Pitt students who have completed first-year German (or the equivalent) to continue their language study over the summer at the renowned Goethe Institute in Munich. More advanced students may enroll in language courses at a higher level. After completing this program, students can fulfill their language requirement by passing a placement test in the German Department. In addition to the language immersion, students also attend an English-language lecture taught by a Pitt faculty member on the history and culture of Munich and southern Germany. Class lectures are supplemented by day trips to various museums as well as cultural and historical sites, such as the concentration camp at Dachau, Schloss Neuschwanstein, etc. This unique program combines language and culture study and students earn 8 University of Pittsburgh college credits in just 4 weeks. For more information, visit the official Pitt in Munich website, or contact the study abroad advisor in the German Department, Professor Jaclyn Kurash. To learn more about how Pitt students spent their time last summer in Munich, check this out.

 

Semester Program in Augsburg 

This semester-long program offers advanced students the opportunity to enroll at the University of Augsburg (Universität Augsburg), where they may take regular courses in their major and/or at the university language center, all of which are taught in German. Students can design a highly individualized program based on the course offerings in Augsburg after consulting with Dr. Jaclyn Kurash. In the past, students have taken 3-4 courses for a total of 6-8 University of Pittsburgh college credits. In addition, students from the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences fulfill all but the non-western portion of the Foreign Culture requirement. For more information about the program or its requirements, please contact the study abroad advisor Professor Jaclyn Kurash early in the fall semester.

LMU Munich Exchange Program

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) is recognized as one of Europe's premier academic and research institutions. Since its founding in 1472, LMU has attracted inspired scholars and talented students from all over the world, keeping the University at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change our complex world.  Being Germany’s largest university, LMU Munich also has one of the most international student populations in the country. Approximately 15 percent of their 50,000 students come from abroad. Almost 1,400 individual exchange agreements for student, faculty and staff mobility with about 500 universities worldwide. More than 1,000 students from their partner universities come to Munich on exchange every year. Despite the size of our student population, both national and international, it is their aim to make sure that every exchange student feels welcome. The International Office of LMU Munich takes pride in its reputation for hospitality. 

Each year Pitt sends up to 2 students per semester to this institution.  In addition to submitting an application to the link above, be sure to review LMU's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students.  A formal nomination from Pitt’s Study Abroad Office is necessary for you to be recognized as an exchange student, so be sure to turn in all required documents.  For more information visit https://www.abroad.pitt.edu/lmum

Pitt in Berlin (Coming Soon!)

The German Department, in conjunction with the Study Abroad Office, is currently working on a semester-long program in Berlin.

Other Study Abroad Opportunities

The University of Pittsburgh offers approved study abroad programs at a number of other institutions in German-speaking countries. These include the AJY program in Heidelberg. For more information on these programs, contact Leslie Ann Smedley in the Study Abroad Office.