California State University, Sacramento
Study Abroad Program

Study in Germany a the Johannes Gutenberg University

Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, with approximately 200,000 residents, is a city where you will quickly find your way around. Mainz is attractively situated in the Rhine-Main area right in the heart of Germany. Among the highlights of Mainz are the Gutenberg Museum, which is very informative about the invention of the printing press, and the Stephanskirche with the popular windows of Marc Chagall. Throughout the year theater, cabaret, opera, operetta, dance, and musicals fill the city’s stages. Hundreds of musical groups appear in the Rosen Montag Carnival parade providing music, fun, and entertainment. The pre-Christmas Advent and Christmas market celebration takes place all over town and includes wonderful German holiday traditions of gingerbread and spices, and mulled wines mixed with arts events, concerts, and exhibitions.

COURSE OFFERINGS

The Johannes Gutenberg University currently has about 35,000 students and twenty-six departments and offers about 200 courses in each department per semester. See the website for detailed information on the courses offered. The German Department offers classes for students with German as a foreign language to introduce them to the formal language. You will find a broad variety of German literature classes, which will be taught as lectures, proseminars, or seminars.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should have classified graduate standing at this university by the time of departure, good academic records, a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, and a minimum of three years of college-level German or the equivalent. The applicant 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 (or waived by this university as a graduation requirement) prior to departure. For those holding a bachelor's degree from another university or college, an equivalent proof of English proficiency must be provided. Only those applying for one academic year will be considered. Students are required to be full-time while studying in Mainz and, thus, take the equivalent of 12 units during each semester.

GRADUATE MAJOR IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Students wishing to declare a special graduate major in International Studies with an emphasis on German in order to maximize course equivalencies for courses taken in Germany should speak with Monica Freeman in the Office of Global Education about this possibility.

CALENDAR

The academic year begins with the winter semester (WS), which runs from the end of October to the end of February, including a two-week break. The summer semester (SoSe) usually starts in mid-April and lasts until late July with a one-week break at the end of May. Students should plan on being in Mainz in mid-October.

HOUSING AND LIVING CONDITIONS

Several dormitories are available in Mainz. Some are on campus, and some are close by. A kitchen and bathroom may be shared with approximately eight other students. Study abroad students most likely will be in the same building with all other international students. If you want to live with German students, you will easily find shared rentals (WGs) in town. There are three dormitories for study abroad students. The off-campus Hechtsheim mostly consists of two-room apartments, with a shared bath and small kitchen. The off-campus Weisenau apartments have a kitchen and bath. The university’s on-campus housing has a refrigerator in each room, with shared kitchen, and bathrooms. All dormitories have laundry facilities. More information on housing can be found at http://www.uni-mainz.de/eng/10976.php and at http://www.studierendenwerk-mainz.de.

With your student I.D., you are allowed to use all buses and most of the trains for free. This offer applies to Mainz, Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and also some northern Germany cities. There is absolutely no need for a car. German public transportation is reliable, punctual, and efficient until late at night.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Students accepted to the program will pay the usual California State University, Sacramento graduate fees, remaineligible 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 Mainz, room and board, books, and incidentals. In addition, each student must have the required insurance during his or her stay in Germany. Students should budget for a minimum of 650 to 750 Euros per month, inclusive of rent. 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.

SCHOLARSHIPS

For information on scholarships for study abroad, you should register for and attend a scholarship workshop in the Office of Global Education.

STIPEND

For one graduate student at this university, a stipend is offered by Johannes Gutenberg University in the approximate amount of 410 Euros per month for 10 months. Out of these funds, the student will be required to purchase health insurance in Germany (approximately 60 Euros per month).

WEATHER

In September, there are still nice and sunny days around 68°F. In October, it is noticeably cooler but still sunny. From November until mid-April, temperatures can drop to the low 30s. Snow is most likely in December and January. At the end of April the temperatures rise again, so that in the summertime you can expect 80° to 90°F.

YOU SHOULD CONSULT THESE RESOURSES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

You should consult these resources for further information:

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

The JGUM home page: http://www.uni-mainz.de/

The JGUM International Office (information for international students):
http://www.uni-mainz.de/eng/2931.php

The JGUM catalogs available in the Office of Global Education

For information on Mainz and Germany, visit: http://www.mainz.de and http://www.lonelyplanet.com.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

(1)	Consult with Marjorie Wade for information on the Johannes Gutenberg Universitat, Mainz application process.
(2)	Consult with Monica G. Freeman for information on the CSUS exchange application process and to obtain the CSUS exchange application. Send the completed CSUS exchange application, statement of purpose, and transcripts to Monica G. Freeman at address below by the application deadline: February 29.

For additional information, please call the Office of Global Education at 278-6686 or go to Lassen Hall, Room 2304.

last update 8/07