European Union Summer

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Overview

Quick Facts

City:

Freiburg [1]

Country:

European Union [2]

Program credits:

7 credits

Language(s) of Instruction:

English

Language prerequisites:

None

Based in Freiburg, Germany, the European Union Summer Program takes you on extended field study trips to Turkey and the Western Balkan states for an intensive study of the European Union and its relationships with its neighbors to the east. This program challenges you with a unique Integrative Seminar and with a variety of elective course options.

The program deepens your understanding of the region and gives you first-hand experience with the cultural and political landscape of the European Union and its neighbors today.

Program Dates

These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the highest quality academic and cultural experience abroad possible. We offer unparalleled courses that explore European Politics, Economics, Business, International Relations, and other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and field study opportunities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You enroll in the required Integrative Seminar IR/PO 360 From Marginalization to Inclusion?: The Balkans, Turkey, and the EU, which carries 4 credits, and an elective, which carries 3 credits. All courses are taught in English.

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.

Field Study

In addition to two six-day field study trips to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey, IES Abroad European Union staff organize field study trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of European culture and society.

Housing

Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Freiburg, it will feel like home.

Residence Halls - The IES Abroad EU Summer Program offers you the unique opportunity to live in a single or double room in a co-ed suite shared with German and international students. Suites have shared kitchens and baths.

Meals are not included in the program fee. Students typically prepare meals at their residences or dine in Freiburg’s affordable student cafeterias.

Student Life

Part of making you feel at home in Freiburg is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the day trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

Upon arrival in Freiburg, you participate in a comprehensive orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad European Union staff and program objectives, your fellow students, and the city of Freiburg. During orientation, you:

Attend a welcome reception, during which you will be able to meet and speak with IES Abroad faculty, staff, and fellow students
Settle into your housing and learn about student life in Freiburg, including transportation and health and safety
Receive an overview of the program, including its academic policies and goals
Finalize course registration
Tour Freiburg and take an excursion to the Black Forest
Participate in basic German and Turkish language instruction

Additionally, CORE, IES Abroad's Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.

Field Trips

Field Study Trip
A highlight of the IES Abroad European Union Summer Program is two six-day field study trips, one to Bosnia-Herzegovina and the other to Turkey.

During these field study trips you will experience first-hand the cultural landscape of multiple EU accession state candidates and study in-depth the multi-faceted challenges of current and future European integration for the countries visited.

Meetings
The field study trips are academic in nature. Site visits include lectures and discussions on the political, economic, social, cultural, and religious issues involved and is a unique opportunity to meet and talk with:

EU and government representatives of accession states
Leaders in multi-national corporations and NGOs
Official advisors on EU issues
Leading academic experts
Journalists

The cost of the field study trips is included in the program fee, but you should budget for some meals and spending money.

Center

IES Abroad European Union [3]

The IES Abroad European Union Center is housed in a historic 19th-century building with a fully renovated interior. Located in the heart of Freiburg, the EU Center is only a short walk from the main campus of the AlbertLudwigs-Universität Freiburg, the shopping district, and the Freiburg Theater.

Features include:

Classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment
High-speed Internet and printer access
A student library and a student lounge
A large outdoor garden space

Center staff:

Ullrich Lohrmann
Director

Ullrich Lohrmann holds a Ph.D. in History from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg. His academic interests include Africa, the United Nations, and the development of the European Union. His experience as a student in the U.S. and United Kingdom led him to seek a career in international education. He joined IES Abroad in 1993 and served in various administrative capacities, including Associate Director, before being promoted to Director of the European Union Program in 2007. He has also taught courses on the EU for the IES Abroad Freiburg Program.

IES Abroad Staff
Dr. Karin Hunn
Field Study Manager

Almut Meyer zu Schwabedissen
Academic Dean

Merle Peitsmeyer
Project and Accounting Manager

Karin Thomas
Student Affairs Director

Faculty

Surname	Name	TItle	Profession
Burret	Heiko	Diploma in economics	researcher at the Walter Eucken Institute
Fehlner	Wendy	M.A.	business consultant
Fehlner, Dr.	Gert	PhD	Head of Administration, Department of English Studies, University of Freiburg
Grasl, Dr.	Maximilian	PhD	researcher and lecturer University of Freiburg and University of Heidelberg
Haynes, Dr.	Mike	PhD	Lecturer, Institute für Sprache und Wirtschaft, University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt
Hofmann	Birgit	M.A.	PhD candidate University of Freiburg
Junger	Anne	M.A.	lecturer, IES Abroad EU Center
Kempter, Dr.	Gerhard	PhD	finance manager
Kern	Annette	Diploma in economics	Lecturer, Freiburg University of Pedagogy
Makinson	Sandra	M.A.	Masters in Applied Environmental Studies
Salm	Clemens	Diploma in economics	business conultant
Schnellenbach, Dr. habil	Jan	PhD, habil	researcher expert at the Walter Eucken Institute
Staub	Thomas	M.A.	PhD candidate; Business consultant for LMS; e-Learning expert
Wagschal, Prof. Dr.	Uwe	PhD	Chair of Comparative Politics; University of Freiburg
Wiedemann	Anke	M.A.	lecturer and researcher University of Freiburg
Zander	Hubertus	M.A.	academic advisor (German American Institute in Freiburg)

Freudenberg	Christine	M.A.	German Language Instructor
Hardt	Corinna	M.A.	German Language Instructor
Lüttgerding	Hilke	M.A.	German Language Instructor
Rückert	Nicole	M.A.	German Language Instructor
Schlenzig	Werner	M.A.	German Language Instructor
Wenk	Mirjam	M.A.	German Language Instructor

Cost