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About the Exchange Program

The Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program offers students an opportunity to earn college credits in one of Germany's top nine universities. Students spend the academic year at the university they choose.

The Baden-Württemberg Exchange originated from a legislative partnership formed between the State of Connecticut and the German state of  Baden-Württemberg in 1989. The agreement invites all students enrolled in four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut to study at any institution of higher learning in Baden-Württemberg. With nine universities from which to choose and a large number of Fachhochschulen and Kunsthochschulen, students of all disciplines can be accommodated.

The Baden-Württemberg Exchange is a reciprocal exchange program. This means that Connecticut students prepay their usual tuition and then trade places with a German student from the Exchange, who has paid their German tuition.

Distinguishing features of the Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program

• A four to six week preparatory language course at your German university where you will meet students from all over the world;

• A substantial language program (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) to get your German better than you ever dreamed possible;

• Dormitory housing with Germans and other international students;

• Access to peer advisors (native German students) who know your German university well and will guide you during the first few weeks, as well as the rest of the year;

• A customized program that responds to your needs: You decide which university and language program are best for you!

• A generous scholarship fund to help you with airfare and other expenses.

About Baden-Württemberg

Situated in the southwestern part of Germany, Baden-Württemberg shares its borders with France, Switzerland, and Austria. This region is filled with picturesque beauty and historical landmarks: Heidelberg Castle, the Black Forest, Lake Constance.

This region is also a powerful economic engine within Europe. Some of the world's most successful companies are located here: Mercedes-Benz (Daimler-Chrysler), Porsche, and the German computer software giant SAP. Connecticut chose well, wouldn't you say, when it formed a state-to-state partnership with Baden-Württemberg over fifteen years ago!

Student Eligibility

The BW-Exchange is for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates are eligible to participate any time after completing their freshman year.

• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-) or above and have demonstrated that they are mature,  self-directed learners who will receive the most satisfaction from experiencing German university life as an insider

• Students planning to take regular German university courses will find that they can do so with less frustration if they have completed a minimum of four semesters or more of college-level German.

• Students who have achieved less than intermediate level proficiency in German can strengthen their language skills the first semester by taking an intensive language course (20 hours per week) in the Deutsch als Fremdsprache program (DaF) at their German university.

• Students who choose the above option can supplement their intensive German language studies with one or two university courses taught in English.

Our Programs

The Baden-Württemberg Exchange is designed for an entire academic year. Over 80% of the students who participate in the BW-Exchange choose to do so for the entire academic year. However, students who wish to apply for only one semester can also be accommodated in our Sommersemester Plus option.  Although 99% of the students who have gone on this program wish they could have stayed for the entire academic year, we know that this is not always possible.

Full Year Option

If you go to Baden-Württemberg for two semesters, you will begin your year with a four to six week preparatory language course at your host university. This language course is offered by your host university and generally runs through the month of September. The course is designed to familiarize you  with German culture and customs and jump-start your language abilities.

After your preparatory language course, you will enroll at your host university and begin the first of your two semesters in mid-October. Based on your language skills and the course requirements at your home university, you will enroll in a combination of  Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF) and regular university courses. Depending on how many classes you take during each semester, you should receive about the same amount of credit for your year in Germany as you would as a full-time student at your Connecticut college or university. Final credit evaluation is determined by your home university. As such, you should consult with your academic advisor before your departure to determine what credits you will attempt to fulfill during your year in Germany.

Sommersemester Plus Option

Due to the differences in the academic calendars of American and German institutions of higher education, students wishing to spend one semester in Baden-Württemberg are advised to go during their Spring semester.

With this in mind we have developed our Sommersemester Plus option. If you participate in this option you will begin your stay in Germany with  twelve weeks of intensive language study from January through March. After the completion of the twelve weeks of language study you will enroll for one semester at the Baden-Württemberg university of your choice.

Academic Calendar

The German academic calendar is different from the American academic calendar, with the exception of Mannheim.

The academic year in Germany is divided into two semesters: the fall (Wintersemester), and the spring (Sommersemester). Between the two semesters is a lecture free period.

The approximate academic calendar is as follows:

Housing in Germany

As a Baden-Württemberg participant you will be living in a student dormitory. Your dorm room reservation will be  made by the International Office of your host university. German dorms have only single occupancy rooms and are equipped with shared kitchen facilities. There is usually a mixture of  German and other international students. The cost of dorm rooms varies depending on size, age and location. The average cost of a dorm room in 2009 was €250.

There are no meal plans. Inexpensive meals are available at university cafeterias. And students mainly tend to  prepare their own meals in their dormitory kitchens, as well as enjoy the local cuisine from time to time in a restaurant or café.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Unlike many study abroad programs the Baden-Württemberg Exchange is very affordable. There are two primary reasons for this: Financial aid and BW-Scholarships.

Most forms of financial aid for which you are eligible at your home university can be applied to the Baden-Württemberg Exchange. This means that if you already qualify for student loans or grants, or receive a scholarship,  you can likely keep these awards for the year you spend at your German university. Check with your college's or university's financial aid office for specific details.

In addition, the Parliament of Baden-Württemberg offers scholarships available for most Connecticut students. Please check your university's Application to see if you are eligible. The maximum scholarship is €400 per month for ten months. Scholarships range from €2,000 to €4,000 for participants who commit to a full year of study and half that amount for those going abroad for one semester.

Program Costs and Expenses

Tuition

The Baden-Württemberg Exchange is a reciprocal exchange program. You will pay your home university tuition and fees (as well as Study Abroad Fee if applicable) and then trade places with a student from Baden-Württemberg.

Fees

There is a $625 BW-Exchange program fee for the academic year ($425 for the Sommersemester Plus option). Once accepted, we will be sending out a bill to your home address.

When arriving in Germany, Connecticut students must pay a student registration fee, which is approximately €70 per semester.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all student participants. The German health insurance costs approximately €65 per month. Students in the past have used AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse), which is one of Germany's biggest and most reliable insurance companies.

If you happen to be over the age of 30, please look into this option: www.auslandsversicherung.de,  AOK does NOT provide health insurance for students over 30.

Note:  Your German health insurance will only go into effect at the start of the semester. October 1st for fall semester, or April 1st if you are participating during your spring semester.

Room and Board

Each student is financial responsibility for their rent and personal expenses while studying abroad.

We will help arrange your dormitory housing. The average rent costs in 2009 was €250.

Most students report that they can live quite well within a budget of €750 per month. This includes rent, health insurance, food, transportation, books, and travel. Spending money varies from student to student . It all depends on your life style!

Transportation

Most students purchase a Student Semester Ticket to commute throughout their city. And some prefer to purchase a bicycle!