Fall 2020 Semester Program with Nazareth College of Rochester NYSince spring of 2001, Nazareth College of Rochester, New York,
with Studienforum Berlin e.V., offers a 15-credit, 16-week semester program in
Berlin, the Berlin Residential Program. Starting in 2013, the program has become a "Featured Program" of the consortium The New American Colleges & Universities (NAC&U).
The dates for fall 2020 are: August
29 - December 19.
Summary
Students take five courses: three liberal arts courses (45 h
each), taught in English;
orientation and an introductory German language course; and
a four-week unpaid internship permitting use of English, at
corporations, public institutions such as
museums, schools, think tanks, etc., in
Berlin (the internship may be
substituted by a second language
course). Accommodation and board is in
homestays.
This program is open to all students who want to acquire U.S.
credits. The program includes
tuition, room and board (two
meals), an on-site student
coordinator, cultural events and
excursions.
Orientation does emphasize health and particularly personal security while studying and while traveling in Berlin and Germany.
This program allows for the unique opportunity to study the political
and economic changes in Germany's capital and Central Europe first-hand
and to experience history in the making. This fall's curriculum
includes cross-listed courses: German History 1871 to the Present
(history); European Business Economics (economics or business
administration); 20th Century German Literature, Theater and Cabaret
(literature or theater arts); Conflict Studies (political science,
peace studies); Sustainability - European Appoaches (Political Science) and Symphonic Music and
Opera, Mozart to Mahler (music history).
Studienforum Berlin's application deadline
is 31 May 2020.
CONTACT: Nazareth College (Dr. Nevan Fisher) or
Studienforum Berlin
(Dr. Hanns-D. Jacobsen).
Visit also the Center of International Education at Nazareth College of Rochester,
N.Y.
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The Fall Semester Program is taught in English,
not in German - with the exception of the language instruction, of
course. This distinguishes the Berlin Residential Program from most
other study-abroad programs offered in Germany. It is ensured that each
student receives strong support and personal attention by faculty and
staff. All courses are designed to take advantage of Berlin, Germany's
capital, historical, as well as, current political, economic and
cultural resources. The courses assist students to enhance
understanding contemporary issues in enlarging Europe, unifying Germany
and Berlin including the problem areas surrounding the relationship
between the eastern and western parts of Germany. The calendar for the Berlin
home-stay semester separates the
courses into three phases:
Students study German
intensively throughout
September. From early September to mid-November students
enroll in three of the five
available Liberal Arts courses.
The professional Internship then
lasts from mid-November to
mid-December, during which time
students work full-time at their
internship location. This
schedule maximizes students'
progress in the language, no
matter what level of German they
had studied in September.
Students assume responsibility for providing all necessary signatures and authorizations by the designated
deadlines. (Applications which are not fully completed will not be
considered.)
The Fall Semester Program is designed especially for sophomores and
juniors of all fields of study. They must have a good academic
standing (grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better). Some proficiency
in the German language is strongly recommended. In addition, all
students who are open to new ideas and enthusiastic and serious about
learning in another culture are welcome.
To help students to adjust to the new situation STUDIENFORUM BERLIN
provides, during the first week of the program, a general orientation
to Germany and Berlin. This is an important program component. Here
students will become acquainted with each other and with the academic
and administrative staff, particularly with the student coordinator.
The participants will get an overview on the recources, facilities and
user procedures of STUDIENFORUM BERLIN as well as the logistics of
living in Berlin such as housing, transportation, health, safety
and personal security,
and recreation. Also issues concerning living in a foreign setting as a
challenge of cross-cultural learning will be discussed.
Orientation will also help each student to learn about the program
objectives. There will also be a discussion of academic and personal
goals for the semester with the students, faculty members and staff.
The week of orientation will be supplemented through lectures, field
trips, group discussions, selected readings and films as well as
through social gatherings. During the program STUDIENFORUM BERLIN's
student coordinator will be available throughout the course to meet the
special needs of the students. STUDIENFORUM BERLIN's staff also
organizes sightseeing tours to Berlin and Potsdam
(as part of the program) as well as excursions
to places of historical and cultural interest outside of Berlin and
makes reservations for cultural events (theatres, operas, concerts,
exhibitions etc.).
Each liberal arts course comprises 45 contact hours throughout the
duration of the semester. To get 15 (or more) credits (the exact amount
depends on the home universities' requirements), each student has to
take (1) three courses, (2) on-site orientation and language
instruction, and (3) a four-week internship. Depending on the
internship site requirements the duration of the internship can be
extended to five or six weeks. Academic standards in Berlin are
consistent with those at NAZARETH COLLEGE.
The liberal arts courses
have syllabi with assigned and optional readings, require oral
presentations, a midterm evaluation (in-class), and take-home finals.
Students are expected to come to class prepared and to participate
actively in the discussions.
The intensive German language course
will be held throughout the second to eigth week of the program
(20h/week) allowing for basic and advanced communication in the German
language. The German language course takes place at "Die Neue Schule",
a very experienced language school in Berlin which meets
Goethe-Institute standards. The language instruction is offered on a
beginning or intermediate level and will focus on practical language
skills and conversation in order to facilitate a quick integration into
life in Berlin.
The language program is only the starting point for
students to improve their language skills and overall experiences.
Proficiency will be enhanced by multiple possibilities to meet German
people, e.g. while students live with German families and when they
participate in excursions and field trips.
Each of the liberal arts courses
will be taught over 10 weeks. Fridays will normally be used for field trips and
excursions.
The four-week (possibly six weeks) internship
takes place at the end of the program (starting Nov. 18 resp. Nov. 4), by
spending five days per week with the respective institution (the
internship can be substituted with an independent research project,
supervised by a special mentor, or with an additional German language
course). To get an impression of what will wait for you watch this movie about some of the interns.
The
2020 curriculum includes German language instruction
(#1),
an unpaid
internship or supervised independent research (#2), and three cross-listed
courses (choose out of #3
to #8):
The liberal arts classes are held in the modern classrooms of "Die Neue
Schule" in Berlin Wilmersdorf. The classrooms can easily been reached
through the extensive public transportation system of Berlin.
The
books and texts required for the language and lecture courses will be
provided at no extra costs, usually as readers. Access to
the scientific libraries in
Berlin will be arranged if
needed. Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops. Tablet
computers are usually not sufficient enough. Both, the lecture
facilities and the host families provide access to the internet.
Each student is encouraged to participate actively in the courses
through readings as well as oral and written presentations. Grades are
based upon class participation and attendance, written papers and
examinations (usually an in-class mid-term, and a final take-home
essay). To get basic instructions on how to write an essay, click here.
STUDIENFORUM BERLIN's course offerings include regular meetings with
students, faculty and staff to discuss and review the program, allowing
students to express their academic and personal experiences. This
dialogue helps to shape the program to the students' particular needs.
Each program concludes with a review and evaluation by students,
faculty and staff and the internship host.
STUDIENFORUM BERLIN e.V. is an educational non-profit institution that does not grant credit or confer degrees.
Credit resp. transfer credit
for this semester program is awarded by NAZARETH COLLEGE of Rochester, New York.
Please inquire!
As a general rule, each
student applying for a program of STUDIENFORUM BERLIN is responsible to
be aware of her/his home institution's credit transfer policies and
requirements.
Students should be aware that in accepting transfer credit there may be
an additional administrative fee from their university/college.
On request, STUDIENFORUM BERLIN issues certificates for the Language
Programs, the Semester Program and the Internship Program which confirm
the successful participation of a student in the respective program.
The certificate includes information about the duration of the program,
the courses chosen, and the amount of contact hours per course. The
grading of coursework follows U.S. grading principles. Interns will be
evaluated by the internship supervisor in accordance with the
requirements of the home institution.
Costs include
- tuition,
- on-site student
coordinator,
- pick-up and drop-off service,
- a "Welcome package" (including a City Map, the STUDIENFORUM BERLIN's Student Handbook "Discover Berlin", several brochures,
etc.),
- accommodation with host families,
- welcome and farewell dinner,
- sightseeing tours in Berlin and Potsdam,
- special group trips to Dresden, Weimar, Buchenwald, Erfurt, Slubice (Poland)
and Prague
(Czech Republic),
- organization of leisure and cultural
activities,
-
NAZARETH COLLEGE's and STUDIENFORUM BERLIN's administration
fee.
These items will be
included in the total program
cost, when billed directly by
Nazareth College:
- learning
material and lab fee (e.g., for tickets concerning the courses "20th
Century German Theater, Literature, Cabaret" and "Symphonic Music and
Opera, Mozart to Mahler"; for site visits of the other courses, e.g. to
Poland),
- public transportation pass,
- residency permit,
- health, accident and liability
insurance,
- cellphone rent.
Not included
are
STUDIENFORUM BERLIN has assembled an experienced, open-minded, motivated and dedicated
faculty and staff
who all have received degrees and taught at major universities
throughout the world. Faculty and staff feel obliged to meet the needs
of the students.
For further information or questions please
email us.
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