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 Albert-Ludwigs-Universität 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.
Ideal for students interested in rapidly improving their German language skills, the IES Abroad Freiburg Program offers you IES Abroad and university courses taught in German by distinguished local faculty. You can also participate in an internship, which includes time spent working at your placement and an academic seminar that helps you contextualize what you're learning.
Freiburg will be your classroom. Imagine studying German vocabulary and then going out to a local market to practice the words you’ve just learned, or discussing German theater and then seeing a local production that evening. Welcome to study abroad! Wherever possible our courses take advantage of the city’s historical, artistic, and cultural sites, and several courses include hands-on, practical components.
You can also enroll in courses at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg or other local academic institutions where you will experience the German education system first-hand. and you can participate in our language partners program to practice your German. Maybe you’ll even make some German friends while you’re at it!
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 enrolled only in IES Abroad courses.
If enrolled in partner university courses or participating in an internship
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 prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
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:
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.
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.
Information on partner universities and their course offerings is listed below. An extra fee applies for students participating in more than one course at the Art and Music schools.
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburgwww.uni-freiburg.deThe Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg takes great pride in its tradition. Founded in the 15th century, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg is one of Germany’s highest-ranking universities.
CoursesThe 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.
Location & Commute TimeThe Albert-Ludwigs-Universität 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:
The University Center of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität is located in the old city center. The Institutes Quarter is just a short walk to the north of the old city center. The Applied Sciences campus, which lies on a former airfield, is about 1.5 miles from the IES Abroad Center and easily accessible by bicycle or public transit. While most university buildings are an easy walk from the IES Abroad Freiburg Center, the commute times to the University from student housing vary from about 10 to 30 minutes.
University Clubs & EventsIES Abroad Freiburg students are encouraged to participate in events and trips planned by the International Club at the University. Excursions are very affordable. Past excursions have included trips to Lake Constance, Geneva, and Bern, and a hike up the Kaiserstuhl with a wine tasting.
Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburgwww.ph-freiburg.deFounded in 1962, the Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg is a well-known institute that specializes in training teachers. The Hochschule is also a respected research institution, with a unique focus on international training. In addition to courses in Pedagogy, such as Childhood Development, Mathematics and Computer Science Education, and Media Education, the Hochschule offers courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Philosophy, Physics, Social Sciences, and Theology.
CoursesThe 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.
Location & Commute TimeThe Hochschule is located in the southwestern area of the city, on the edge of the scenic Naturpark Südschwarzwald, the second largest nature preserve in Germany. Located about three miles from the IES Abroad Center, the Hochschule is easily accessible by bicycle and public transportation. Commute times to the Hochschule from student housing range from 10 to 30 minutes.
Hochschule EventsThe Hochschule offers numerous events and guest lectures each semester. Students taking courses at the Hochschule have access to the school’s library and other facilities.
Hochschule für Kunst, Design und Populäre Musikhttp://www.hkdm.de
The Hochschule für Kunst, Design und Populäre Musik offers classes in the field of fine arts, integrated design and popular music.
Examples of courses offered in their respective fields are:
Fine Arts
Integrated Design
Popular Music
Some music classes may require an audition prior to arrival.
The school also offers opportunities to perform with ensembles in various fields of music. Examples are:
Location & Commute TimeThe school is located less than two miles from the IES Abroad Center and is easily accessible by bicycle and by Freiburg’s public transportation system. Commute times range from 10 to 30 minutes from IES Abroad-located housing.
EventsThe Hochschule für Kunst, Design und Populäre Musik hosts, sponsors, and advertises numerous concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and lectures each year.
IES Abroad Freiburg organizes course-related trips in and around Freiburg that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to your knowledge of German culture and society
Past activities have included:
Interning while you study in Freiburg gives you a rewarding jobexperience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. 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.
Placement ExamplesPast students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always seeking out new opportunities for our students.
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 apartment 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 with other 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.
Housing with local residents - A limited number of placements are available for living with local Freiburg residents. No meals are provided, but you have access to a kitchen. Internet access is provided.
Students usually prepare meals at home 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 day trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
The program begins with a three-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Freiburg staff, your fellow students, and the city of Freiburg.
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.
Beginning during orientation, you prepare for the semester with two weeks of intensive German language instruction, followed by an optional five-day field trip to Berlin.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Freiburg through our cultural events and activities, 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 Our staff in Freiburg can assist you in finding a German language “tandem” partner with whom you can practice German. In return, you can help your partner practice English. Having a language partner in Freiburg also gives you unique insight into local student life.
Even though your adventure starts in Freiburg, our field trips take you outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations.
Berlin5 days | Fall & SpringTour this dynamic city and its architecture, and visit museums and memorial sites, such as the Holocaust Memorial and Wannseekonferenz.
Padua, Venice, and Milan4 days | Fall & SpringVisit the University of Padua in Freiburg’s sister city, where Galileo Galilei lectured and Nicolaus Copernicus studied. Tour the canals in Venice and see the sights, and visit Milan’s famous cathedral
Black Forest1 day | Fall & SpringA visit to this famous forest may include hiking, snowshoeing, swimming, wine tasting, or a visit to a monastery.
Swiss Alps1 day | Fall & SpringHike through the beautiful mountains of Switzerland and visit the breathtaking city of Lucerne.
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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