German Studies | Study Abroad

Bard’s official exchange partner in German is the Humboldt University in Berlin. Students on the exchange program spend one semester studying at the Humboldt, in departments of their choice (German literature, history, philosophy, cultural studies, etc.). This semester is typically the Spring semester of the junior year, allowing students to participate in an intensive one-month language course at the Humboldt before the start of its semester, which runs from early April to mid-July. Bard students who participated in the program are then asked to serve as “mentors” to the students from the Humboldt University who study at Bard during the Fall semester of the following year. Take a Virtual Tour through the Humboldt University where Karl Marx and Albert Einstein taught.

Bard students who wish to study abroad in other German cities are encouraged to seek out programs that allow them to attend classes within foreign universities, as opposed to programs that offer courses attended solely by Americans. Students can also receive credit for participating in the study abroad programs offered by other American colleges and universities as long as Bard approves their participation in these programs. With the approval of the College students can also matriculate directly at foreign institutions. (Note: Students participating in the Program in International Education are not eligible to participate in other study abroad programs.)

Test your German and understand the various levels of proficiency

The four areas of studies at the HfG offer interdisciplinary courses, which create a powerful background in more than one field of study. The research and development focus of the university professors, involved in research, grants students access to new information. The college offers both a theoretical insight on the field of study, as well as a practical one, trough internships, preparing students for their future careers.

Bard College students are welcome to apply for acceptance to the Bard-HfG Exchange, which takes place each spring semester (fall study is not available) at the Hochschule Fur Gestaltung-Karlsruhe (HfG or HfG-Karlsruhe).

Read the Process for Studying Abroad on Bard’s Studying Globally website to familiarize yourself with Bard College’s requirements for studying away from campus.

Once you are seriously interested in this particular exchange, make an appointment to see Jesse Haas, International Program Manager at Bard’s Institute for International Liberal Education (IILE). The IILE administers the Bard-HfG Exchange. Jesse will provide details about the program, application process, visa process and other information. Jesse can be reached at:

For students with little or no previous experience of German who wish to acquire a strong grasp of the German language and culture in the shortest time possible. Students complete the equivalent of 2 years of college-level German in a semester course (12 credits) that meets 15 hours a week and is followed by a four-week stay at the Collegium Palatinum, the German language institute of Schiller International University in Heidelberg, Germany, for the month of June. There students continue daily intensive study of German language and culture (20 hours per week) while living with German families. 4credits. In July and August, after the completion of the program, participants may travel in Europe on their own, find jobs or internships in Germany, or return to the U.S. immediately. Look at more pictures from Heidelberg.

Study the ZD Core Vocabulary (2500 words) with the online vocabulary drill program wordchamp.com. Contact Stephanie Kufner for further details.

ECLA is a college without departments, dedicated to the integrated study of values. In each academic programme, ECLA students work with faculty from different backgrounds on moral, political, epistemic, religious, and aesthetic questions, with the understanding that such questions are naturally and deeply connected. Possible areas of concentration are Art & Aesthetics, Ethics & Political Theory, and Literature & Rhetoric. Students are taught in small discussions seminars and one-to-one tutorials by a select faculty from disciplines like philosophy, literature, political theory, art history, and film theory. Philantrophic grants allow the college to have a need-blind admissions policy, so no qualified student is turned away for lack of funding. Students and faculty come from all over the world and work together in English. They share the facilities of a small residential campus and the cultural riches of one of the most vibrant capitals in Europe.

Core Courses

Every term ECLA students spend half their time on a core course, created and co-taught by several faculty members and guest teachers. Core courses are mandatory and, quite literally, form the core of an ECLA education. Current Core Course Overview

Elective Courses

In addition to mandatory core courses, ECLA students follow individually chosen seminars – 'electives' – every term. These are often designed as complements to one of the core courses, in this manner facilitating integrated studies. An elective on Dante’s Divine Comedy, for example, may be offered as a complement to a core course on Values of the Florentine Renaissance. A core course on Property may be supplemented with an elective on Jealousy. Other electives are independent explorations of more specialized topics. Every elective, however, uses the same format: one to three weekly discussion seminars with 5-12 students, and one-to-one tutorials twice a term for the discussion of student essays.

Language Courses

All ECLA language courses address the development of skills in reading and listening comprehension, conversation and writing within the context of the European Framework of Languages from level A1 through C2.

Elementary German, French, Spanish I
Emphasis on familiar vocabulary building, listening comprehension and speaking with gradual introduction to grammar and writing skills.

Elementary German, French, Spanish II
Continued emphasis on listening comprehension and routine communication. Students read and write short, simple texts.

Intermediate German, French, Spanish I
Emphasis on communication skills including comprehension of standard speech and descriptive reading passages, topical conversation and simple, descriptive composition.

Intermediate German, French, Spanish II
Continued emphasis on communication skills including comprehension of extended speech and lectures, reading of newspapers and general periodicals, spontaneous conversational interaction with native speakers and writing clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects.

Advanced German Language, French, Spanish I
Development of listening and reading comprehension levels to include extended speech and some literary texts. Emphasis on conversational and writing skills to express ideas and opinions and present detailed descriptions expressing points of view.

Advanced German Language, French, Spanish II
Development of comprehension skills to allow for understanding of all forms of spoken language and written texts. Emphasis on communication skills for the fluent expression of ideas and argument both orally and in written form.

ECLA typically offers students three levels of language instruction, beginning, intermediate and advanced. Placement tests determine each student’s enrolment level.

Freie Universität Berlin

is a leading research institution. It is one of nine German universities successful in all three funding lines in the federal and state Excellence Initiative, thereby receiving additional funding for its institutional future development strategy. Freie Universität can thus take its place as an “international network university” in the global competition among universities. Its future development strategy is focused around three strategic centers: for cluster development, for international cooperation, and for graduate studies. Development and assessment of research projects takes place within three major focus areas – area studies, humanities, and life sciences. Freie Universität has various offices abroad, e.g., in New York, Beijing, and Moscow, that provide a platform for international cooperation. The university’s performance in the Excellence Initiative has provided funding for several new graduate schools and transdisciplinary research clusters.

FUBiS is an intensive, academic program through which students can earn credits that may be counted towards their degrees at their home institutions. FUBiS sessions run for 4 to 6 weeks and take place both in summer and winter.

Read the 13 reasons (pdf), why you should join the FUBiS program.

Curriculum

FUBiS offers intensive and semi-intensive German language classes at five different proficiency levels. In addition FUBiS offers subject classes on various class topics. These classes are held mostly in English by distinguished German and international faculty.

Program Structure

The FUBiS program offers students many choices:

Combination of language and subject classes. This allows students to improve their language skills as well as further their knowledge of a subject matter.
Combination of two subject classes which may count toward a major or minor at the home institution.
Intensive German language classes. These classes meet every weekday and allow students to focus on and thus considerably improve their German skills.
Participation in either one semi-intensive German class or in one subject class.

Academic Program

Every year FUBiS offers more than 45 courses - both subject and German classes. Feel free to browse our course list for term I, term II and term III and look at the course descriptions and syllabus to find out more about the classes. In this section you will also find information regarding the FUBiS dates & deadlines and the Grading system and Transcripts. In the Download area you will find brochres and registration forms.

The "Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst" is a private, publicly funded, self-governing organization of higher education institutions in Germany. DAAD promotes international academic relations and cooperation by offering mobility programs primarily for students and faculty, but also for administrators and others in the higher education realm. The headquarters of DAAD is located in Bonn, Germany. If you are interested in studying in Germany, this website offers help with finding what to study and how to go about it. It offers resources and programs for undergraduate scholarships, study abroad, university language or summer courses, senior thesis research and/or internships in the Federal Republic of Germany.

As the countries of the world become more interdependent, the Robert Bosch Foundation recognizes the importance of familiarizing American professionals and executives with the political, economic, and cultural environment of Europe in general and of the Federal Republic of Germany in particular. To further this goal, and to strengthen the ties of friendship and understanding between the United States and Germany, the Foundation is sponsoring a Fellowship Program which will enable young American professionals to participate in an intensive work and study program in Germany. Although a prime goal of this program is the advancement of American-German/European relations, it will, in addition, contribute to the participants' professional competence and expertise, and broaden their cultural horizons.

"Bosch Tutors have an opportunity to teach at the university level in the new federal states (former East Germany) . They also take classes--sometimes for academic credit (Scheine)--and they usually live in student housing, where they become part of student life. The Tutors deepen their knowledge of the German language as well as the culture and history of the former East." (Nathan)

The Heidelberg University has some 4,500 international students from 130 countries. It is one of the most popular German universities among students from abroad. The seed for its popularity was planted shortly after the foundation of the university in 1386. Just seven years later, in 1393, an English student from Canterbury visited the newly-founded university. Another sign of the early university's international popularity was the enrollment of the first student from the United States (from St. Louis) in 1793.

But the "Spirit of Heidelberg", a melange of myths that circle around the university, the castle, the river Neckar and German Romanticism, isn't enough to explain this attraction. For centuries the Ruprechts-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg University's official name, has enjoyed international acclaim as a center of excellent research and teaching. And as early as 1926 the university offered its first summer school for German Language and Culture. It has turned out to be a continued success. Every year more than 600 people come to Heidelberg from all over the world to participate in the course.

Students who intend to study abroad should begin planning and discussing with your academic advisor at the earliest possible date. There are generally two types: Bard Programs and Other Programs. For Bard Programs, Bard awards, academic credit, and Bard financial aid generally transfer. Other Programs must be evaluated by the dean of international studies and approved by the Executive Committee before students enroll. To learn more about such opportunities, students should consult with the dean of international studies and the director of career services.

Bard Programs

Bard Programs for students in German Studies Department include Bard-Humboldt University Program, Berlin, Germany, Staatliche Hochschule Für Gestaltung Karlsruhe, Germany, and German Immersion - Heidelberg, Germany.
Eligibility
All full-time, matriculated Bard students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to study abroad. Students who intend to take a semester away from Bard should have moderated successfully by the time of their study abroad experience.
Application and Approval
In order to receive approval for studying abroad, students must complete an Application for an Academic Leave of Absence. The application must be approved by the student’s academic adviser, the dean of international studies, and the Executive Committee.
Credit Transfer
Students may receive full credit for study abroad programs. However, students will receive credit for study abroad programs only if they have received prior approval from the Executive Committee. Students who do not receive Executive Committee approval before taking a leave of absence will not receive credit at Bard College for courses taken during that leave.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid is available on a pro-rated basis for Bard Language Intensive Programs and IHRE. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to determine the exact terms and conditions of assistance.
Transcripts
Transcripts should be sent directly from the sponsoring institution to: Office of the Registrar, Bard College, PO Box 5000, Annandale Road, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504
Informing Appropriate Offices
In addition to receiving approval for study abroad, it is the student's responsibility to contact the student accounts and housing offices before leaving campus. Students receiving financial aid should contact that office to determine their status.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Click here to download a PDF of the Bard Study Abroad Predeparture Checklist.

Returning to Bard
Registering for the Return Semester
Students can name a proxy to register them during the pre-registration period while they are still abroad. Students should contact the Registrar, Peter Gadsby, to provide the name of the proxy. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she is financially cleared on registration day.
Housing for the Return Semester
Students should inform the Office of Residence Life about their intended return date as early as possible. During the spring semester, students can name a proxy to represent them in room draw. Students should contact the Office at reslife@bard.edu.

Other Study Abroad Programs

Other programs are programs that are not sponsored by, or affiliated with, Bard and that have not been recommended by faculty. Students may study on programs offered by other American colleges and universities, or they may enroll directly into foreign universities. However, such programs must be evaluated by the dean of international studies and approved by the Executive Committee before students enroll (see Approval for Study Abroad). To learn more about such opportunities, students should consult with the dean of international studies and the director of career services.

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Language Courses

Bard Programs

Other Study Abroad Programs

Other Useful Information