Tucked at the foot of the Black Forest, Freiburg is the quintessential southern German town, with its winding streets and historic architecture. Ideal for students interested in rapidly improving their German language skills, the Language & Area Studies Program offers you IES Abroad and university courses at the University of Freiburg taught in German by distinguished local faculty.
Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
Tucked at the foot of the Black Forest, Freiburg is the quintessential southern German town, with its winding streets and historic architecture. It is also home to the University of Freiburg, consistently rated one of the top universities in Germany. We invite you to study abroad in Freiburg, and to immerse yourself in student life and German language in this vibrant university town.
In this post, I'll write about my overall takeaways from abroad!
NOTE: If you choose to take Partner University Courses, your program's end date will be different:
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 German language, history, culture, and other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at the prestigious University of Freiburg enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
The University of Freiburg takes great pride in its tradition. Founded in the 15th century, the University, formally known as Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, is one of Germany’s highest-ranking universities.
The University of Freiburg has one of the most beautiful campuses in Germany, located in the quaint, medieval city of Freiburg on the edge of the Black Forest. The University is divided into three main campuses:
You enroll in 16-19 credits per semester. All courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week. All courses are taught in German.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 322 - Between Conformity and Provocation: German Art from 1933 to the Present | Fall, Spring | German | 3 |
| HS/AH/CU 480 - The Medieval Mindset | Spring | German | 3 |
An extra fee applies for students participating in more than one course at the Art and Music schools.
The University is divided into 11 faculties, which together offer courses of study in 60 different fields.
As a fully-matriculated student at this university, you can enroll in courses in the following faculties:
Visit the University's website for current and past course offerings. Course offerings vary from semester to semester and exact course availability is determined shortly before the start of each semester.
Sprachlehrinstitut of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (SLI)
You may take additional language courses at the SprachLehrInstitut. Some courses require a small additional cost.
An extra fee applies for students participating in more than one course at the Art and Music schools.
The Hochschule is organized into three faculties or departments. Visit the Hochschule's website for to view current and past course offerings (click on Vorlesungsverzeichnis).
The Hochschule is particularly known for its offerings in Education. You receive approximately 2 to 4 credits upon successful completion of each course.
Course offerings vary from semester to semester. Exact course availability is determined shortly before the start of each semester.
The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.
The IES Abroad Freiburg Center is located at the heart of the city. Nearby you’ll find notable landmarks like the University of Freiburg, the Freiburg Theater, and the main shopping district. With classrooms and student lounging space, the Center is your study abroad hub.
You'll live in a private single-occupancy room in a coed suite with a shared kitchen and bath. Suites are shared with German and international students, and have Internet access.
Students usually prepare meals at home or dine in Freiburg’s affordable student cafeterias. Meals are not included in the program fee.
Even though your adventure starts in Freiburg, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Study the flora and fauna on a series of day trips hiking through this famous forest, located just outside of Freiburg.
Tour Germany's dynamic capital city and marvel at the history all around you as you walk the line between former East and West Germany and visit modern museums and memorials.
Visit the beautiful capital of Bavaria, which will captivate you with its mixture of contemporary culture and tradition. Think Lederhosen and Dirndl!
Follow in the footsteps of Goethe as you make your way to Leipzig. Then, travel back in time in Nuremberg, home to one of the most important imperial palaces in the Holy Roman Empire.
Did you know that, while in Freiburg, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. During the semester, you participate in a 3-credit seminar to prepare you for the internship which begins after the program ends. There is no extra cost for this optional, post-program internship. Placements are limited and an advanced level of German language fluency is required.
We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.
With 75 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in your program cost to highly trained local staff who can connect you with English-speaking healthcare providers, we work around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.
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