Summer Education Abroad

Study German in Austria

Austria

German Language in Graz
4 to 6 credits in German
July 8 – 28, 2007
Dr. Jonathan Skolnik
jskolnik@vcu.edu
$1,585 + airfare + applicable tuition
Registration deadline: April 14, 2007
Download printer-friendly program description [PDF]

The School of World Studies and the Office of International Education at Virginia Commonwealth University are pleased to offer an intensive German language immersion course for summer in stunning southern Austria. German language and culture courses will be offered in an intensive three-week session in Graz. Optional tours to Munich, Salzburg and Vienna also will be made available.

Course and credit options: Students may enroll for 4 to 6 VCU credits. Participants may choose between GRMN 101 Elementary German (4 credits) or GRMN 102 Elementary German (4 credits) at the elementary level, or two classes from the intermediate and advanced level: GRMN 201 Intermediate German, GRMN 202 Intermediate German Readings, GRMN 205 Intermediate German Conversation, GRMN 305 Advanced German Conversation, GRMN 311 German Through the Media and GRMN 491 Topics

Course description: Located in Graz, the capital of the Austrian state of Steiermark – near the convergence point of Austria, Hungry and Slovenia – this program provides an ideal starting point for the exploration of Central Europe. Graz is the second-largest city in Austria and has been designated a Cultural Capital of the European Union, a reflection of its rich cultural heritage.

Program cost: $1,585 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $1,585 and includes the following:

Accommodations
Some meals
Study visits and tours
Austrian SIM card for mobile phone use
On-site Program Director support
Application fee and deposit
Pre-departure orientation
VCU administrative fees
International Student Identification Card

The following are NOT included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:

Airfare
VCU tuition and fees
Some meals
Passport application fee
Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $600)
Anything not specifically mentioned above

Saltmines Please budget for these additional expenses.

Tuition: Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $179 (per 3 credit class: $537); undergraduate out-of-state, $401 (per 3 credit class: $1,203); graduate in-state, $379 (per 3 credit class: $1,137); graduate out-of-state, $533 ($1,599 per 3 credit class).

Airfare: Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Austria. Dr. Skolnik will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares, purchase your ticket prior to April 15.

Payment of fees: The nonrefundable registration fee of $50 is due upon registration. A nonrefundable deposit of $200 is due two weeks after receipt of acceptance packet. Students who register after April 1 must pay the deposit and registration fee together upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2007. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

Application deadline: April 14, 2007. Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full.

Activities and excursions: Included in the program are excursions to Eggenberg Castle, Thaler Sea, Puntigam Brewery, a number of museums, hiking outings, a visit to Mixnitz and St. Radegund. In addition to excursions and other activities organized as a regular part of the three-week session, the following optional tours are available (dates TBD):

Munich, Germany
Salzburg, Austria
Vienna, Austria

Each optional tour will feature two nights in a hotel, a city tour and substantial free time for individual sightseeing. Costs will be determined by the number of participants.

Accommodations and meals: Participants will have the option of a home stay or a dorm stay. Breakfast is included in the home-stay option.

Financial aid: Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B; call (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or click here for further details.

Passports: If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time is up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply, visit http://travel.state.gov.

Program director: The program is directed by Dr. Jonathan Skolnik, an instructor of German in VCU’s School of World Studies. He has published widely on German literature, thought and film.

Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.