Semester in Lüneburg

Colorado College began a short-term Study Abroad program in Germany in 1973 with a view toward providing its students a rich and integrative experience in German life and letters. Since 1983, the Department of German has been offering students a semester-long unique learning and living program in Lüneburg, Northern Germany. This study program is open to Colorado College students and applicants from selected colleges.

Our program in Lüneburg allows students to study both German language at all levels—from beginning to advanced—as well as special topics in culture and literature.  Priority is given to students who participate for the entire semester, but it is also possible to participate for two blocks (Blocks 1&2). Students who participate for the whole semester will fulfill both the all-College Foreign Language requirement and the West in Time requirement.  

Structure of the Academic Program

 This is an official CC study abroad program. Our faculty assigns grades and academic credit.  Students will take language classes at the appropriate level (beginning to advanced), taught by the staff of Leuphana University in Lüneburg. Colorado College faculty will teach the Cultural History course (GR 120 and GR 121; taught in English), oversee the program, and lead field trips.  Students who participate for the entire semester will receive  CC academic credit for two blocks of German language and two blocks for German Cultural History (West in Time).  Those who participate for two blocks will receive one academic credit for German and one credit for Cultural History. 

Program 2017

Block 1: Mon., Aug. 28 - Wed., Sep. 20

Orientation in Lüneburg, first half of German 120 (special topic, “Darkness and Light: The Enlightenment and its Critics”), followed by first half of 3-week intensive language course at appropriate level.

            Professor Ane Steckenbiller, Colorado College

Block 2: Mon., Sep. 25 - Wed., Oct. 18

Continuing intensive German language course, followed by second half of German 120 (special topic, “Darkness and Light: The Enlightenment and its Critics”).

            Professor Alberto Hernandez-Lemus, Colorado College

Block 3: Mon., Oct. 23 - Wed., Nov. 15

German Language course at appropriate level. 

Professor Chet Lisiecki, Colorado College
Thekla Carvalho de Rodrigues, Leuphana University

Fall Break: Nov. 16 - 26

Block 4: Mon., Nov. 27 - Wed., Dec. 20 (in Berlin)

German 121.  Special topic: "Hidden Spaces, Hidden Narratives: Intersectionality Studies in Berlin." 

            Professor  Heidi Lewis, Colorado College

Program Costs

The program fees include airfare (reimbursed up to $1,400.00). Those who are currently on financial aid may be eligible for special financial support as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Students pay Colorado College tuition for one semester. Fees do not include incidental personal expenditures, which can be expected to be slightly higher than during a semester on campus. Note that room and board costs are lower than on campus at CC; therefore, the program abroad should not result in substantially higher costs to the student.

Program Location

The site of the German program is Lüneburg, one of the oldest and most picturesque cities in Northern Germany. The city can look back to a thousand-year-old history. It reached prominence in the Middle Ages as a result of the lucrative salt trade and the Hanseatic League which joined it with other important commercial cities. The center of Lüneburg, dominated by magnificent homes dating back several hundreds of years, still attests to the city's earlier prominence. World War II left the area rather unscathed. Today the splendor of the past is evident everywhere in this historical town.

Today, Lüneburg is a city of 70,000 with central importance in the Federal State of Lower Saxony. Its proximity to the major German cities of Hamburg, Lübeck, Hannover, and Berlin, as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, the Scandinavian countries, and the Czech Republic makes this an ideal study center for American students.

The cooperation with the University (students are formally enrolled at the Leuphana University Lüneburg with all associated privileges) and housing with local families ensure broad contacts with both citizens and university students. The rich culture of Northern Germany will become accessible through field trips incorporated in the curriculum, including a visit to Berlin, Vienna, and other cities.

Transportation

Students should arrange for their own lowest-coach flights and notify the German Program of their itinerary. For reimbursement of air fare costs (up to $1,400.00) receipts must be turned in to German Program office. All class excursions and field trips are included in the program at no additional expense to the student. As part of the program, students receive a University of Lüneburg ID card which serves as a bus pass for free travel in the county, as well as a train pass for travel to Hamburg, Lübeck and Uelzen.