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Study Abroad in Germany at Kalamazoo College Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Kalamazoo College students in Erlangen (2003-04) with instructor Gudrun Brug (far left) 
Erlangen is located in southeast Germany, near the city of Nuremberg. Erlangen has over 100,000 residents and a thriving economy centered around the medical technology, pharmaceutical, and microelectronic industries. Although first mention is made of “Erlangon” in historical documents dated 1002, Erlangen’s modern history began in 1686, when Count Christian Ernst of Brandenburg-Bayreuth invited protestant Hugenots who had been driven out of France to settle in the city. The main building of the university, which was founded in 1743, is located in Count Christian Ernst’s palace, built in the early 18th century. Today the university, with facilities in both Erlangen and the neighboring city of Nuremberg, has over 23,000 students. 
Students from Kalamazoo College may choose the long-term exchange program in Erlangen (September-February) or the extended-term program (September-July). Both programs begin with a month-long intensive language course for Kalamazoo College students, after which students may enroll in virtually any course offered by the university. Past participants have taken German language, literature, history, political science, mathematics, art, and music courses. Students can participate in variety of extra-curricular activities and excursions organized by the university’s international student office, including trips to Vienna, Berlin, Munich, and the medieval city of Bamberg.
While in Erlangen, students also complete an “Integrative Cultural Research Project” (ICRP). Based on their specific interests, students develop a project that involves experiential, hands-on research, which is then summarized in a written report at the end of the term. Research for the project might involve an internship, service or volunteer projects, or interviews. Past ICRP’s have included studies of café culture; interviews with students regarding their attitudes toward Americans or elderly Germans regarding their experiences of the Second World War; work at a brewery, daycare, or local newspaper; and a study of how the closing of American military bases has affected the local economy.
Students from Kalamazoo College are housed together in a university dormitory. They live in single rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, and they receive a monthly stipend for food.Requirements for participation in the program: Students must have junior standing and have completed a minimum of four courses consisting of German 101, 102, 201, and 203 or 204. No grades below B in German and 2.7 cumulative GPA. In addition, one or more courses at the 300 or 400-level are strongly recommended. In general, German majors should plan to study abroad in Erlangen. For more information about study in Erlangen, visit www.uni-erlangen.de/internationales/index.shtml Note: Photos of Erlangen courtesy of Kelly Roshon, K '05 Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn 
The city of Bonn is located on the Rhein River in western Germany. The city’s history goes back over 2000 years to its origins as a Roman camp, Castra Bonnensia. Today Bonn is best known as the capital of West Germany from 1949-1991, and as the birthplace of composer Ludwig Beethoven (1770-1827). Bonn is also home to the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, which was founded in 1818 and is one of the ten largest universities in Germany with over 30,000 students.
The university includes over 350 different buildings in Bonn, but its main building is housed in the former palace of the Elector of Cologne, built in the early 18th century. Students from Kalamazoo College may choose the long-term exchange program in Bonn (September-February) or the short-term program (April-July). The program begins with a month-long intensive language course taught through the university’s Akademische Auslandsamt (Office for International Students). 
Students then choose a variety of courses designed for non-native speakers of German based on the student’s level of proficiency.
Courses are offered in German language, literature, geography, history, and so on.
Students can participate also participate in music and theater groups. The international student office offers a variety of extra-curricular activities and opportunities for excursions in and around Bonn.While in Bonn, students also complete an “Integrative Cultural Research Project” (ICRP). Based on their specific interests, students develop a project that involves experiential, hands-on research, which is then summarized in a written report at the end of the term. Research for the project might involve an internship, service or volunteer projects, or interviews. See above for examples of past ICRP’s. 
Kalamazoo students live in dormitories in single rooms (with shared kitchens and baths), alongside German students. They receive a monthly stipend for food, and may choose to take lunches in the university cafeteria (Mensa). Bonn has many international restaurants, as well as a large, year-round, daily outdoor market. 
Requirements for the long-term program in Bonn: Students must have Junior standing and have completed a minimum of three German courses, including 101, 102, and 201, but no course higher than German 203/204. No grades below B in German and 2.5 cumulative GPA. Requirements for the short-term program in Bonn: Students must have sophomore standing (juniors may be admitted only if space is available) and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Students must have completed German 102 and no course higher than German 201. For more information about study in Bonn, visit www.studyabroad.uni-bonn.de Note: Photos of Bonn courtesy of Jon Marshall, K '06 |
