ACADEMICS AND INTERNSHIPS
The William G. and Elke Durden Bremen Program is language intensive. Prior to the semester, all participants complete a fourweek, one-credit, intensive language course. During the regular academic year, students are required to complete a one-semester core course German 340: Comparative cultures: USA-Germany. In addition, students may take classes from a wide range of offerings at the University of Bremen. There are opportunities for full academic year students to pursue an internship or an independent study project. Faculty also encourage and support students in applying for outside funding.
By enrolling directly in the University of Bremen under the guidance of an academic director, participants, who must be suitably proficient in German, get the best of both worlds: the experience of studying in the German university system, which requires students to be more self-motivated and self-directed, and the type of faculty oversight that most American students are accustomed to receiving.
Program participants have numerous opportunities to engage with the university outside of the classroom and to immerse themselves in the local community. Many students play on university sports teams or join one of Bremen’s many sports clubs. Others sing in choirs, join bands and participate in other new activities and established hobbies. The city of Bremen also serves as a hub for social life beyond the campus. Daily life in the city, coupled with academic excursions to other regions, gives students ample opportunity to experience German culture throughout the program. Since the Bremen program is very flexible, excursions can be arranged in various regions in Germany and Europe, according to the students’ specific interests or fields of study.
ACADEMIC EXCURSIONS
The academic program is enhanced by various day and overnight excursions to areas of cultural, political and historical interest. In the past, students have traveled to Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna and Poland.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Most students live close to the University of Bremen in a private student dormitory (Studentenwohnheim) with another Dickinson program student or in a single apartment. All apartments are equipped with bedding, cooking facilities and cookware. Students get a food stipend to shop for food and eat in the university cafeteria.
STAFF
Academic Director Janine Ludwig oversees academics of the program and teaches the core course. She previously spent the 2013-14 year teaching at Dickinson. Program Coordinator Leandra Thiele a former exchange student at Dickinson, manages program operations. The on-campus coordinator is Associate Professor of German Kamaal Haque.
