Study Abroad: Frequently asked questions

• Who can go?
• Where can you go?
• When can I go?
• How much does it cost?
• Do I get credit for my work abroad?
• What about financial aid?
• What are my other expenses?
• Where do I get more information about study abroad?

Who can go?

• Everybody can go and learn German in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. You have two options: either study at a German university or learn German at a language institute in Austria or Germany.



• If you are in First-year German right now, studying at a German university would be too difficult. But there are many language institutes that do a very good job in teaching German through intensive courses at any level. So no matter what level you are now at, you can profit by going abroad.



• If you want to be a student at a German university, you should have an advanced proficiency. We require German 302 or the equivalent. The sequence at UW: 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302. If you are in German 201 right now, that should not be a problem. You can finish the 200 sequence by spring and then go through an intensive summer program (two months) to prepare for university study.

Where can you go?

• You have a choice: If you want to study at a language institute: We are affiliated with the Internationales Kulturinstitut in Vienna, Austria and Goethe Institutes in Germany at 18 different locations, such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Munich, Dresden, Bonn, Rothenburg, Cologne.



• Or you can study at the universities of Aachen, Berlin, Duisburg, Giessen, Freiburg, Mainz, Tübingen, Weimar, Wien, or Zürich.

When can I go?

• Any time. Language institutes in Germany and Austria start their program at the beginning of each month. German universities function under the semester system. That should give you enough flexibility.



• During spring quarter our department will offer a "Spring in Vienna" program. You will be able earn 18 credits. Inquire about details at the departmental office, 340 Denny Hall.

How much does it cost?

• If you are going to learn German in Vienna, two months tuition (= 15 weekly contact hours) will cost you about $800. At the Goethe Institutes it will cost you about $1,650.



• If you are going to study at a German university, you have to pay UW tuition. In addition, UW requires you to pay for concurrent enrollment which is $150 a quarter. There are quite a number of scholarships available, if you study at a German university. For details, inquire at the Office for International Programs & Exchanges 5th floor, Schmitz Hall.

Do I get credit for my work abroad?

• Yes, you will get credit for courses abroad. For 8 weeks at the various language institutes you will receive 12 credits. Credit for studies at a German university depends on the number of courses/contact hours, up to 15 credits per quarter.

What about financial aid?

• Since all courses taken in Germany or Austria qualify as UW courses, financial aid applies.

What are my other expenses?

• You have to pay for airfare and naturally you have to live somewhere and eat, but the expenses for room and board are comparable to your expenses here.

Where do I get more information about study abroad?

• There will be an informational meeting in our departmental library. Also inquire at the Office for International Programs and Exchanges 5th floor, Schmitz Hall. Or write to: dacan@u.washington.edu