PROGRAM OPTIONS

As a program participant, you can choose to study in Germany for four weeks (session I) or eight weeks (session I and II). 

Session I:

You’ll select from one of the following during session I: 

•  Intensive German Language (4 credits)
  • Focus on language and cultural immersion
  • Offered at various levels, beginning through advanced. See below for detailed course information.
  • Courses taught at interDaF, a non-profit association which constitutes the University of Leipzig’s center specializing in German as a foreign language. The Herder Institut has more than 50 years of excellence in advancing German language skills, as well as teaching about the culture and civilization of Germany
• Contemporary Issues Special Topics Course (3 credits)
  • Topic: Green Germany? Environmentalist Movements before and after Unification in Literature and Film
    • This course is available for credit as any of the following (you will select one):
      • Environmental Studies 3000: Special Topics in Environmental Studies;
      • German 3220: Topics in German History and Culture;
      • Geography and Urban Studies 3000: Special Topics in Geography and Urban Studies;
      • History 3480: Topics in European History; or
      • Sociology 3240: Selected Topic in Sociology
  • Taught in English by Temple program director Dr. Andrea Schmidt

Session II: 

Following the first four-week program, stay in Leipzig to begin language study or complete an additional four weeks of intensive German at our partner institution, interDaF.

Language of Instruction

• Intensive language option: German
• Contemporary issues special topics course: English 

Course Load

• 4-week program (Session I): 3-4 credits
• 8-week program (Sessions I and II), 7-8 credits

German Language Courses (offered during Session I and II)

Beginner

• German 1001: Introduction to German I (4 credits)
• German 1002: Introduction to German II (4 credits)

Intermediate and Advanced

• You'll enroll in one of the following courses, plus a one-credit independent study in German studies (German 2011: Immersion in German), for a total of four credits:
  • German 2001: Intermediate I (3 credits)
  • German 2022: Intermediate II (3 credits)
  • German 2041: Reading I (3 credits)
  • German 2122: Conversation I (3 credits)
  • German 2131: The Contemporary German-Speaking World (3 credits)
  • German 3011: Intensive German in Germany (3 credits)
    • For students who have completed all other courses offered at the advanced level.
  • German 3021: Conversation II (3 credits)

View all courses and pre-requisites.

German Language Course Placement

Prior to the start of classes, you will take a placement test to confirm your level and course. Students staying for session II will take another placement test at the start of the second session to confirm course enrollment for the second term.

During the first five days of the program, orientation takes place in Berlin, the capital city of Germany, known for its vibrant cultural scene and juxtaposition of historical buildings alongside modern architecture. After orientation, you'll live in Leipzig, a lively city that is rich in history, culture and music.

View Leipzig, Germany in a larger map

Explore Leipzig!

• Population of nearly 600,000; second most populous city in the area of former East Germany
• Numerous magnificent historical buildings, now mostly refurbished, include the Old Town Hall, the Old Exchange, the old and new exhibition centers, and the Monument to the Battle of Leipzig
• Major center of music, including classical (Bach, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Schumann and Haendel) and modern, with a lively independent music scene
• Vibrant and innovative art scene with a long list of museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces, including Spinnerei, a modern exhibition space that hosts contemporary artwork by budding artists and designers in the city
• Known as a "water city" with an extensive interlocking system of natural rivers and canals that traverse the city
• Leading center of libraries, publishing houses and the German book trade
• Seat of the Supreme Court
• Hub of European trade
• Founded in 1409, its university is the second oldest in Germany
• Two hours from Berlin, one hour from Dresden and Weimar, and three hours from Prague

Four-week Option: late May through late June
Eight-week Option: late May through late July

When you submit your application, you will select your program length. Unfortunately, it is not possible to make any changes after the application deadline. All students participate in the first four weeks of the program together before students not enrolled in Session II courses depart Leipzig. 

Tentative Program Dates for 2024

Do not use the above dates to book your flight, as they are tentative and subject to change. Accepted students will receive confirmed program dates and flight booking guidelines from Education Abroad before making travel plans.

Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.

*Many students find it necessary to spend the night in Berlin prior to departure, which they schedule for the following day anyway to ensure that they have enough time to catch their flight, since many flights out of Berlin to the US are early in the morning.

Housing type: Shared apartments

You will live in shared apartments, arranged by interDaF, with other program participants. Accepted students will receive further details

This program offers several excursions and organized cultural events in order to enhance your learning experience while in Germany.

• On-site orientation takes place in Berlin during the first few days of the program.
• interDaF organizes a robust cultural program throughout your stay, including group activities like:
  • classical concert at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig
  • visits to museums and sights in Leipzig, such as the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, Bach Museum, and Mendelssohn House Leipzig
  • University of Leipzig student-led events such as rowing on the White Elster, mini-golf, hiking in the Auwald forest or bowling
  • Group meals at the Moritzbastei, the largest student club in Germany.
• They also offer optional day trips to Erfurt in June and  Saxon, Switzerland in July.

TUITION AND FEES (3-8 credits)

Temple students pay their usual per-credit rate by school/college and residency.

Non-Temple students pay the non-matriculated student rate based on residency. For the 2023-24 academic year, PA residents are charged $749 per credit and non-PA residents are charged $1,349 per credit. *Non-Temple students: your program costs may vary depending on your home institution's billing model. Please check with your study abroad office about your school's billing policies.

All students pay the Germany Program Fee, which includes housing in shared accommodations, orientation, a public transportation pass, and a day trip. The estimated Germany Program Fee for four weeks is $2,500 and $3,500 for eight weeks.

For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet.

View detailed program costs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to preparing for study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple.  

• Dr. Patricia Melzer, Department of German, French, Italian and Slavic; Temple University; 215-204-1760; [click-for-email] 
• Dr. Andrea Schmidt, Department of German, French, Italian and Slavic; Temple University; 1000gqvzupf.nreqan+ryczrg+hqr 
• Education Abroad: 215-204-0720; [click-for-email]

• You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application as well as during the semester prior to studying abroad.
• You will have completed at least two (2) semesters of college-level study by the program start.

You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement, on a 4.0 scale from all colleges/universities attended. The requirement varies by program:

• Temple Semester Programs: 2.75 (Internships: 3.0)
• Temple Summer Programs: 2.5
• Exchange Programs: 2.75
• External Programs: 2.5

You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of your term abroad; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.

You will need a passport, valid well beyond the length of your program, by the application deadline.

View deadlines and validity requirements for your host country.

You are in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your term abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.