The medieval town of Tuebingen, situated in southwest Germany, is remarkably well-preserved. With its crooked, cobblestoned streets and pointed gables, the pedestrianized "old town," which lies along the Neckar River, looks much as it would have in the 1600s. Numerous sidewalk cafes, pubs, shops and restaurants make Tuebingen a very enjoyable place to stroll, while its out- door cinema, festivals, art exhibitions and theater productions offer students the opportunity for cultural pursuits. With its 87,000 residents - 23,000 of which are students - Tuebingen is very much a university town. The University of Tuebingen, founded in 1477, is a major center of higher education for international scholars, researchers and exchange students. The University does not have a traditional "campus", but rather is spread throughout the town. The arts and humanities departments, the library and the main dining hall are near the old town, while more the modern science faculties are located in the hills that surround the town center.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges maintain an exchange pro- gram with the University of Tuebingen. Its diverse faculty offer specializations in the fields of Protestant theology, Catholic theology, law, economics, business administration, medicine, philosophy, history, social and behavioral sciences, modern languages, mathematics, physics, chemistry, pharmacy, biology, geosciences and informatics, all of which are taught in German.
Students will take four courses and will receive a fifth course credit for an intensive German language course (Deutsch-Kompakt) offered during the orientation program. We strongly recommend that all students take this intensive language course (there is no extra cost for this course). To find courses and other information about the exchange program, click here.
This program can accommodate a variety of students and is designed for those who are interested in learning more about Germany and in developing German language skills. Students in religious studies, American Studies, European Studies and German Area Studies will find the program of particular interest.
This program is open to all juniors and seniors (sophomores may be considered in exceptional cases) in good academic and social standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, students must have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college-level German with a B average. Exchange opportunities depend on the availability of slots at the host institution. Due to the challenging nature of study abroad, student academic and disciplinary records will be carefully screened. Note: due to the timing of the academic calendar at the University of Tuebingen, seniors participating in the spring semester will not be able to return in time for commencement on the HWS campus. The spring program runs from mid-March-July.
Students will live in residence halls or apartments alongside other international and German students. There are communal kitchen/cooking facilities so that students may prepare their own meals or they may purchase affordable meals in the university dining halls. The Studentenwerk housing office in Tuebingen will assist students in finding housing.
Students will be charged standard HWS tuition and fees and a $550 administrative fee. This will cover course credit for the semester and the orientation program, including the intensive German course. Note that no room or board charge is included. Students will pay housing fees directly and may either purchase or prepare their own meals. Students should bring their HWS room and board fees with them to cover these expenses (full-year students will need to plan accordingly to cover two semesters). Room costs will vary depending upon the option chosen but should range from $2,000-$2,500. While food expenses will vary according to individual tastes, we estimate that about $2,000-$2,200 should be sufficient for students who prepare their own meals. Additional expenses not covered include airfare, books and course-related materials, residence permit and personal expenses (laundry, entertainment, ground transportation and independent travel). We estimate airfare for this program at $950- $1,100 from the East Coast, books and course materials at $250 and residence permit at $150. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of personal expenses because student spending habits differ considerably. We would suggest a minimum of $1,500 above and beyond room and board. However, students on a tight budget should be able to manage with less. If you are concerned about finances, we strongly encourage you to talk to the CGE staff who can offer information and advice based on your specific situation. Students applying to study in Germany through CGE-sponsored programs are encouraged to apply to the Julius G. Blocker '53 Endowed Fund. Those selected as "Blocker Fellows" receive support to cover a variety of expenses related to their study abroad programs. For further information visit the Julius G. Blocker '53 Endowed Fund website. The deadline for applications for the Blocker Fellowship is the same as the deadline for CGE program applications.
NOTE: This is subject to change. Please see the CGE for more information.
