The environmental movement took root in Freiburg long ago—and now it’s a way of life. Known for taking the lead in the development of eco-friendly technologies and architecture, Freiburg also attracts researchers and environmental organizations from around the world. Come study Freiburg’s many unique contributions to this important movement.
This English-taught program allows you to explore topics in Environmental Studies, Forest Ecology, and Sustainability while living in Freiburg, located near the beautiful Black Forest and Rhine River Valley.
Freiburg and the surrounding regions will be your classroom. Imagine traveling to the Rhine River to take samples and observe local ecology, or the forests of the Swiss Alps to further your discussions on forest management and tourism. Wherever possible, your courses take you outside the classroom to give you hands-on experience and to take advantage of all that your study abroad location has to offer.
All courses except German language courses on the Environmental Studies Program are organized as three-week modules so you can focus on each topic you study, and so faculty can take you and your classmates on extended course- related excursions in and around Freiburg. Most courses are taught at IES Abroad by faculty affiliated with Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Students may be able to take some modules in the Department of Forestry and Ecology Management at the University, depending on availability. Optional University modules and research assistantship opportunities are offered after the regular term, through February for the fall term, and through late July for the spring term.
In addition to environmental studies topics, you can study German language at the beginning, intermediate, or advanced level at the SprachLehrInstitut (Language Teaching Center) of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg.
We want you to feel at home in Freiburg, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
If not participating in either the post-program module or the research assistanship
If enrolled in the optional post-program module.
If participating in the research assistantship.
If not participating in post-program module or research assistanship.
If enrolled in the optional post-program module or research assistanship.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore environmental studies and sustainability and other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and give you new perspectives each day in class. A limited number of course options are available at the prestigious Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, as well.
You take 15-19 credits per semester. Environmental Studies courses are worth 3 credits each and are taught in English. Language courses are 3 or 4 credits each and are taught in German. Courses are held Monday through Friday.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
*Note: Starting in Fall 2017, students will have the option of taking the German language course for either three or four credits.
Academic Structure
German Language (1 credit) *Optional starting Fall 2017
Module 2 (3 weeks)
Optional Environmental Studies Module
One optional course offered at the University (3 credits, additional charge)
German Language Course The program begins with orientation and a required three-week intensive German course at the University for 3 credits. You continue your German study for three hours per week during the regular university semester to earn an additional 1 credit of German.
Four consecutive Environmental Studies courses The Environmental Studies courses are “modules,” where you take one course at a time for three weeks. Courses are taught in English, and most courses are taught by IES Abroad. A limited number of modules may be offered in the Master’s degree program in the Department of Forestry and Ecology Management at the Albert-Ludwigs- Universität Freiburg. Modules at the University are taught at a first-year graduate level but are appropriate for undergraduate IES Abroad students. Tutorial support is available. Students from the same department at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität may enroll in IES Abroad-taught Environmental Studies courses.
Program Extension Options
Optional Post Program Module After your program ends, you can spend three weeks furthering your academic experience in Freiburg by participating in an additional 3-credit module in the Department of Forestry and Ecology Management at the University of Freiburg. A separate cost applies and placements are limited. Information about specific post-program modules is available after you arrive in Freiburg.
Research Assistantships You can apply for a research assistantship to work with a University faculty member on a research topic in the field of Environmental Studies. Assistantships are three to six weeks long and take place after the end of the term. All placements are supervised and offered as academic options earning IES Abroad credit. Students participating in the research assistantship cannot participate in the additional optional module. An additional cost applies. Research topic areas and placements may be limited.
Securing an assistantship is a competitive process and placements are not guaranteed. Placements depend on availability, on a student's background and skills, and on the quality of a student’s CV/résumé. Language requirements may apply. Final placements are determined by an on-site interview.
Examples of assistantships in various departments at the University of Freiburg include:
IES Abroad Courses
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität CoursesGerman Language Courses The university does not provide syllabi for their German language program. They teach Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced language courses according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). Download a description of CEFR language levels here:
One of the oldest and most respected universities, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg consistently ranks as one of the top institutions of higher education in the country.
Course-related trips are integral to IES Abroad Freiburg and University courses and are included in the program fee. During these trips you will gather data and participate in academic research. Destinations may include:
For more information, please see the Field Trips Tab.
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which 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.
Apartment-style university housing – You live in a single or double room in a coed suite with a shared kitchen and bath. Suites are shared with German and international students, and have Internet access.
Single apartments in university housing – Single apartments are available at an extra cost. Apartments include a single bath and pantry kitchen. Internet access is provided.
Shared apartments - Some students may live in apartments shared withother IES Abroad students and a German student. These apartments are single gender, and may have single or double bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms are shared. Internet is provided.
Students usually prepare meals in their housing or dine in Freiburg’s affordable student cafeterias. Meals are not included in the program fee.
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 field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
The program begins with a mandatory orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad staff, your fellow students, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, and the city of Freiburg. During the orientation you also take German language for three credits. You have the option to continue your German course throughout the term for one additional credit.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Freiburg through our cultural events, such as:
University Events and Cultural Activities A number of events and activities are available to you at the Albert-Ludwigs- Universität Freiburg, such as sports teams, social clubs, and partially-subsidized trips to destinations in Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Language Partners IES Abroad staff in Freiburg can assist you in finding a German language “tandem” partner, with whom you can practice German. Having a language partner in Freiburg also gives you unique insight into local student life.
Even though your adventure starts in Freiburg, our course-related trips take you to other great destinations in Germany and beyond to further your learning. During these excursions, you gather data and participate in academic research. Course-related trips are included in the program fee. Here are a few possible destinations. (University courses also include trips to locations in and around Freiburg to explore topics relevant to your studies.)
Black Forest 3-5 Days | Fall & Spring Study the flora and fauna on a series of day trips through this famous forest, located just outside of Freiburg. Length of trip varies with course enrollment.
Swiss Alps 3 Days | Fall & Spring Hike through the Swiss Alps as you study forest management, forest education, climate, and regional climate, and their impact on vegetation.
Rhine River Valley 1 Day | Fall & Spring Explore the ecology of this fertile river valley, learn about waterway management, and explore the floodplains of the Rhine River. You’ll also walk across the Rhine into bordering France.
OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP In addition to these course-related excursions, you also have the opportunity to participate in an optional recreational field trip. You share the cost of this field trip with IES Abroad. In past terms, the destination was:
Vosges Mountains 2 Days | Fall & Spring Travel to France and explore the Vosges Mountains. Hike up and down haut Vosges, enjoy fantastic views of the Rhine River valley, try out the real pain au chocolate with a café au lait. You’ll stay overnight in an alpine hut, and dine on delicious Alsatian food with wine from the region. This field trip is optional and requires an additional cost.
About the Center
Located in the heart of Freiburg, the IES Abroad Center is within easy walking distance of Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, the Freiburg Theater, and the main shopping district.
Features include:
Alexander Breisacher has been the Director of the IES Abroad Freiburg Center since 2013. He holds a Master’s in Sociology and Business Administration from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and a European Master’s in International Humanitarian Assistance (NOHA ) from the Ruhr-Universität in Bochum, Germany, and the Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao, Spain. He also studied at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and completed a Spanish program in Quito, Ecuador. Before joining IES Abroad, Alexander worked with the Christoffel Blindenmission in India and Tanzania. Alexander joined IES Abroad in 2003 as the Academic and Administrative Officer of the Freiburg Center, and was promoted in October 2007 to the position of Assistant Director of the Center. Interested in the social and ecological consequences of economic activity, Alexander was instrumental in the development of the Environmental Studies & Sustainability Program in Freiburg.
IES Abroad Staff Merle PeitsmeyerAcademic Dean
Joanna KingDirector of Student Affairs
Katie KrakerStudent Affairs & Accounting Manager
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