STUDY IN GERMANY

UNIVERSITÄT FLENSBURG /CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

STUDY IN FLENSBURG GERMANY

Flensburg, Germany's most northerly port and the most important town in Schleswig, is attractively situated between wooded ranges of hills at the innermost tip of the fjord-like Flensburger Forde, which cuts inland between forest-fringed shores, the northern shore belonging to Denmark. Flensburg received its municipal charter in 1284, and in the second half of the 16th century enjoyed a first period of prosperity as a rising commercial town. In the 17th and 18th century its trade prospered still further, with a large fleet of ships trading in the Baltic.

The University of Flensburg is young, its name dating back only to 1994. The first plans to found a university in the town reach back over 300 years when Flensburg was still part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The founding of the Teacher Training College in 1946 marks the beginning of the later university. Teacher training still forms the main profile of the University of Flensburg today. It recently (2002) relocated from the site of the old college to the location where it is now. Unique in Germany, the university’s modern campus site is provided with facilities which fulfill the highest technical and multimedia requirements. Wireless internet access is possible from every location within the university.

Student Union (AStA): The AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss) is therepresentative body of all matriculated students. The AStA office is located in the entrance hall of the main building (Mürwiker Straße). There you can buy copy cards, overhead transparencies, International Student Identification Cards (ISIC), etc. The AStA is divided into several departments dealing with cultural, social, international, environmental and political affairs. It organizes beginning of term parties and other events.

Library: The central library offers introductory tours at the beginning of every semester. A computer room is located on the main campus and provides Internet access.

Sports: Every semester a variety of courses (e.g. aerobics, badminton, basketball, hockey, indoor cycling, sailing, volleyball, etc.) is offered by the student union. Courses are open to all members of the university and free of charge.

English Film Night: During the semester, an English language film is usually shown once a week. The film nights are organized by the English Department.

Music: The university orchestra meets and practices regularly and gives university and public performances of mainly classical and romantic works. Both orchestra and choir are open to interested students.

COURSE OFFERINGS

Students who would like to study in Germany for a semester or a year while still enrolled at this university have an unusual opportunity through this study abroad program. There are some 250 courses at the University of Flensburg open to our students. As the University of Flensburg was originally a teacher training college, the teacher training courses still form the center of activities within the university today. Teacher training is offered for primary, secondary, and special needs schools. This university has a strong program for students interested in second language programs - Deutsch als Zweit-Fremdsprache, DaZ/F (German as a Second/Foreign Language, GSL) in reference to English, Spanish, and Danish, among others. The English Department usually offers approximately five courses per semester taught in English. These courses are sometimes taught by British professors, thus offering the British point of view. This program is an excellent choice for the student who is planning a career in teaching German.

The main fields of study at the University of Flensburg are: Mediation Sciences/Teacher Education and Training (BA, MA);Educational Studies (Dipl); International Management (BA, MA); Sustainable Energy Systems and Management (SESAM, MSc); Culture, Language and Media (Dipl, MA); European Studies (MA); Energy and Environment Management (Dipl, MA); and Health Education (MSc). The university also offers semester-long German language courses. These are offered at the beginning level (4 hours/week), the intermediate level (4 hours/week), and the advanced level (6 hours/week).

The International Management program offered in cooperation with the University of Southern Denmark at Sonderburg, Denmark is an excellent program for undergraduate and graduate business students. Teaching is multilingual (German, Danish, English, Spanish). See the Office of Global Education for the listing of courses offered each semester in English.

Sustainable Energy Systems and Management is an international graduate course taught in English. For more information on this program, visit http://www.uni-flensburg.de/sesam.

The Energy and Environment Management program offers a substantial number of advanced courses taught in English (website for this program is http://www.uni-flensburg.de/eum ). Exchange students should have sufficient basic education in energy and environmental management to follow advanced courses. This normally requires four to six semesters of B.A. or B.Sc. work in energy or environmental management. This should include math and basic engineering courses as well as basics in economics and management or business administration.

The International Master of ArtsEuropean Studies program is taught in English. It is an interdisciplinary program combining elements of law, economics, sociology, history, political science and geography. It is an excellent program for graduate students interested in gaining awareness of Europe’s national political systems and the institutional structures of the EU system. It is offered at the University of Flensburg in cooperation with the University of Southern Denmark and is designed for students from all around the world. For more information on this program, visit http://www.iim.uni-flensburg.de/eustudies . Please note that the Bachelor in European Studies is not open to our students.

Teacher Education and Training offers a B.A. inMediation Sciences followed by an M.A. inEducation. Students in Mediation Sciences choose subjects in education, psychology, sociology, philosophy, statistics and communication. These are complemented by courses in art and textiles, biology, chemistry, Danish, English language and English and American literature, Frisian, geography, German literature and language, German as a foreign language, history, home economics, mathematics, music, physics, politics and economics, religion, and sports. The M.A. in Education offers training for primary, secondary, and special needs schools.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should have upper division standing with a declared major or classified graduate standing at this university by the time of departure, good academic records, a minimum of three years of college-level German or the equivalentfor those students proposing to take classes in German, and a 2.75 cumulative grade point average for undergraduates and a 3.0 for graduates or better at the time of the application deadline. Those students proposing to take classes taught in English must have at least one semester of college-level German completed before participating in the program, and if selected must take one German language course at the appropriate level during each semester of participation at Flensburg. The applicant also should be prepared to accept the challenge of study in a country with an educational system different from our own. The Writing Proficiency Examination must have been passed at this university prior to departure, and, in most cases, the lower division courses of the appropriate field of study must have been completed prior to participation in this program.Applications will be accepted for one semester or one academic year. Preference for the stipend award will be given to those applying to study advanced German for one academic year (see “stipend” section). Students are required to be full-time while studying in Flensburg and, thus, take the equivalent of 15 units during each semester for undergraduates and 12 units per semester for graduates.

CALENDAR

Courses are taught on a semester basis at the University of Flensburg. The winter semester runs from the beginning of October to the end of March with a two-week Christmas break. The summer semester starts during April and lasts until late September. Lecture dates may vary from this calendar (see the calendar at the University of Flensburg website for more information). Prior to the beginning of classes each semester, the International Office organizes an orientation week to familiarize international students with the university and life in Flensburg and Germany.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Students accepted to the program will pay the usual California State University, Sacramento fees, remain eligible for financial aid (except work/study), if otherwise qualified, and receive resident credit just as if they were attending classes at this university. (Please note that equivalency of courses falls under the jurisdiction of the academic department.) Students will pay for their travel to and from Flensburg, room and board, books, and incidentals. In addition, each student must have the required insurance during his or her stay in Germany. The approximate cost of living in Flensburg is a bit lower than the cost of living independently in Sacramento (not including travel costs). Expenses for a semester in Flensburg are estimated at the following: usual undergraduate fees - $1,779 (graduates would pay the graduate fee), airfare - $1,000, insurance - $500, room, meals, and incidentals (including local transportation, books, clothing, entertainment) - $5,000. Total: $8,279. The estimated expenses for an academic year are about $15,558. This estimate is given for planning purposes only and is subject to changes from currency fluctuation, inflation, and fee changes. Keep in mind that the costs to obtain a passport and a student visa are not included in this estimate.

HOUSING AND LIVING CONDITIONS

Very near to the university are a bank, grocery store, and youth hostel. There are 3 halls of residence in Flensburg. All halls of residence offer self-catering accommodations with shared kitchens and cooking facilities. Some rooms are single units with shower/bathroom. Students must supply their own bed linens, towels, dishes, and utensils. The cost is around 240 Euros for the room per month. Accommodations can be arranged through the International Office of the university on a 12-month or 6-month basis. Although there are economical apartments in town, they are extremely hard to find. The dormitory lifestyle is much more equivalent to the American apartment life since there are no usual dormitory restrictions for visitors. The university is surrounded by a beautiful Volkspark which offers many outdoor sporting opportunities. The city also offers a prompt, efficient bus system, which takes care of most local transportation needs.

The cost of living is generally slightly lower than in major German cities. Students should budget for a minimum of 550 to 700 Euros monthly inclusive of rent. Breakfast and midday meals and snacks are available in the main campus refectory and the Munketoft refectory.

STIPEND

For one student in German from this university, a stipend is offered by the University of Flensburg in the approximate amount of 650 Euros per month. What the student does in exchange for the stipend varies. Activities may involve teaching English conversation or helping with the English film night or other duties as a native English speaker. The student receiving the stipend is expected to live in the dormitory. The cost of the dormitory room (around 240 Euros per month) is automatically deducted from the stipend. The stipend can be received by an undergraduate or a graduate student and can be received for one semester or for the academic year.

WEATHER

Upon arrival in Flensburg in September, one should still have at least one month of nice, cool, sunny weather around 18º C (65º F). The end of October brings typical Flensburg weather - rain or fog, wind and temperatures around 40º F prevail. A few crisp, clear days might appear during this time. The weather remains around 30º F until late March when the sun begins to appear more often. Snow is fairly unusual and may last one week. In spring, the temperatures begin to rise towards a peak temperature of 18º - 22º C (70º F). Layered clothing is advised since the indoor temperatures are usually too warm for heavy sweaters. One heavy winter coat is a must. A note of warning: Clothing is expensive, so keep this in mind when packing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

You should consult these resources for further information:

The Office of Global Education home page: http://www.csus.edu/oge/

The University of Flensburg home page: http://www.uni-flensburg.de/
Access the “International Student Guide” from this website by clicking on “International Students” and“Students from Partner Universities.” For course information, access the University of Flensburg home page and click on “Vorlesungsverzeichnis.”

The University of Flensburg Information Brochure:
http://www.uni-flensburg.de/export/00065700/00095136.PDF

For information on Germany, visit: http://www.lonelyplanet.com.

The University of Flensburg catalogs available in the Office of Global Education.

To obtain an application or to speak with a study abroad advisor, please call the Office of Global Education at 278-6686 or go to Lassen Hall, Room 2304. Applications, references, and transcripts should be sent to the address below. The deadline for materials to be received is February 29 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. Please note that there is an interview process for this application also.

last update 8/07