Program Details
Location
Berlin or Freiburg,
Germany
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Summer Session
Housing
Apartment
Homestay
Languages Taught In
English
German
Sponsor
IES
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisite
0-4 semesters of German
Program Model
Program Structure
One of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most reputable study abroad providers, IES is a Chicago, IL-based, not-for-profit organization that enrolls more than 5,000 students annually, offering quality study abroad programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America.
This is an affiliate program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies for more information.
Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. Students must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.
Coursework
Semester & Academic-Year Programs
Berlin: Take courses in art history, business, cinema, economics, German language, literature and theatre, modern history, political science, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Courses emphasize the 20th Century background of contemporary issues and use structured field assignments in Berlin. Internships are available in art, business, education, mass media, social service, politics and theatre. Instruction is in German by German faculty.
Berlin - Language & Area Studies
Berlin - Metropolitan & Urban Studies
Berlin - Security Studies & International Affairs
Freiburg: The Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program allows you to explore important topics in Environmental Studies and Forest Ecology in English, while living in Freiburg, a center of the modern environmental movement. Spring semester students have the option to apply for a 6-week research assistantship in environmental studies upon conclusion of the program.
Typical credits: 30 for academic year; 15 for fall or spring semester.
Summer Programs
Berlin: Enroll in English and German-taught courses focusing on German society and culture through the Language and Culture option. With the Metropolitan Studies and Architecture option, explore issues of urban studies, architecture and environmental studies in a modern city. Typical credits: 6 credits for a summer program.
Finding Course Information
Dates Details
Visit your affiliate's website for program dates and application deadlines.
Orientation Dates & Locations
Orientation will consist of:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation. This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Affiliate Orientation (live Zoom session). UofM-specific information will be covered (academic planning, finances, etc.). Details on the LAC affiliate orientation will be sent to you via email.
- Affiliate Provider Orientation. This orientation will cover program-specific information. Your affiliate provider will invite you to a pre-departure orientation leading up to your departure.
Understand it is your responsibility to review the information shared at these orientations.
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
How to Calculate the Total Program Fee
To calculate your total program fee
Find your Affiliate program fee
For more specific information about fees, visit the IES website.
Add APAAC
Refer to the Affiliate Program Fees. Follow instructions on that page to determine your APAAC.
Add International Health Insurance
You will be billed approximately $2/day for your international health insurance.
Subtract Affiliate Fee Reduction
Visit the Affiliate Program Fees to determine the fee reduction you receive for being a University of Minnesota student.
What Is the APAAC?
Students participating on affiliated programs are charged a program fee that is inclusive of the affiliate's program fee, University of Minnesota Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs (APAAC), and international health insurance. The APAAC covers:
- Application processing
- Advising services, orientation
- Course registration
- Grade transfer and posting for resident credit
- Program billing and assistance with financial aid (when applicable)
Based on these additional services and benefits, the total program fee may be higher than the affiliate's published program fee.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Each of our affiliated programs awards its own array of scholarships. While many are need-based, others are based on merit, location, academic area, or diversity criteria. Explore your options within specific affiliates' scholarship pages.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
If your program and term does not appear in the drop-down list of available programs, select ‘IES—Other Programs Not Listed Here’ and complete the application item ‘Affiliate Program Information’ found in your application checklist.
Complete
In addition to completing the LAC application, submit to IES:
- IES Online Application
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
Once both applications are complete, we can electronically complete the Home School Authorization form on your IES Application.
Next Steps
- Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
- Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
- Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
- Your completed application is reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the Learning Abroad Center contacts the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
- You will be notified of an admission decision by email. If admitted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
- Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit. The affiliate accepts the Learning Abroad Center’s deposit as indication of confirmation. The Learning Abroad Center deposit is submitted by completing the Confirmation and Payment Agreement found on the confirmation checklist assigned to you.
- If you decide not to continue with the application process, log in to the online application and submit a Cancel Request. You must also notify your affiliate of your cancellation.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Molly Green at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.6076