Aquinas College is proud to partner with MSU’s German Language and Culture program in Mayen. Explore the beautiful Rhine Valley while studying German language and culture on this short-term summer experience. Be fully immersed not only through classroom instruction, but also through excursions and living with a German host family.

  • GPA of 2.5+
  • 2 completed semesters at Aquinas College
  • Completed GER 202 with a grade of C or better, or received a 401+ on the German Placement Test
  • Not on academic probation or have recent, serious, or repetitive behavioral citations from the Dean of Students

Students participate during the summer and earn 6 - 9 credits that count towards German major/minor requirements. 

Courses

Required Courses:

  • Advanced German (3 credits, GER 301 Communicating Across Differences or GER 302 Expressing Identity through Writing)
  • Special Topics in German Studies (3 credits, Seminar in German Studies)

Elective Course:

  • Independent Study (3 credits, GER 299 Independent Project in German)

Program Structure

Classes generally meet in the morning Monday - Thursday for about 5 weeks. Daily classes are augmented by excursions to sites of local and regional interest. The 6th week is spent traveling across Germany to the larger cities like Jena, Weimar, Dresden, and Berlin.

Included in the program fee are some excursions designed to augment the program's curriculum, taking students to various cities and cultural sites both locally and regionally. In the past students have traveled to Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz as part of class excursions.  The sixth week of the program is spent traveling around Germany to larger cities like Jena, Weimar, Dresden, and Berlin.

Students are also able to take advantage of long weekends to do their own individual travel in the region (Mayen is fairly close to Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France) or around Europe.

Participants will be placed in home-stays with local families. This setting provides the opportunity to build friendships and gain insight into daily living, as well as an immediate local resource for the individual student. Integration into the daily workings of the host family home allows for regular and practical language application and insight into cultural values and behaviors. Additionally host families provide daily breakfast.

The program fee is in addition to Aquinas tuition. Students will not be charged Aquinas housing fees and do not need an Aquinas meal plan if they participate in this program.

Approximate cost Summer 2024: TBD

Program fee includes:

  • Housing (with a host family)
  • Daily breakfast
  • Field trips and cultural activities
  • Course credits/official transcript
  • Health/travel insurance

Please visit the Money Matters page and review the budget worksheet for information on scholarships and other expense considerations.

Additional Application

The Office of International Programs will assist in the registration and enrollment process for this program once they have received the signed contract and deposit to confirm participation.

Visa

Obtaining a visa prior to arrival is not required for US citizens.

More info

Reach out to the Office of International Programs or review the MSU Mayen website for additional program information.

CONTACT INFO

International Programs
(616) 632-2067
bechtoldh@aquinas.edu
Academic Building, Room 359