Study Abroad

"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights;
it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."
- Miriam Beard

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost (1874 - 1963), "The Road Not Taken"

Whitman College is affiliated with a number of programs to German-speaking countries offered through the Institute for International Education (IES). All are excellent programs and IES offers great classes in all locations. Classes are informative and useful in improving language skills, but often not overwhelming in terms of workload. All programs offer direct enrollment at the University as well as the opportunity for an internship with government agencies, NGO's, theaters, businesses, schools, and advocacy groups. Whitman financial aid can be used for study at affliated programs.

IES Berlin
IES Berlin is a language intensive program in the diverse, modern city of Berlin. The capital of Germany has about 3.5 million people and wonderful cultural opportunities. IES offers enrollment at Humboldt Universitaet zu Berlin as well as courses at Freie Universitaet, the Universitaet der Kuenste and Technische Universitaet Berlin. To be admitted to this program, you need to have the equivalent of at least two years of college German under your belt. Also visit Berlin's website.

IES Freiburg
IES Freiburg is also language intensive and is situated in an ideal location for international travel, near Switzerland and France. Although still a large city, the atmosphere is that of a small, cozy college town, with great opportunities for hiking and biking and just getting out into nature. IES offers direct enrollment at Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg, as well as courses at the Paedagogische Hochshule and other courses in Studio Art and Music in other schools. This program also requires a knowledge of German equivalent to at least two years of college courses. Also visit Freiburg's website.

IES Vienna
Classes are available in German, English and German, or only English, depending on proficiency. This program is especially interesting for students majoring in music, but it is well-suited to all students, even those who have not yet had the chance to take German. Also visit Vienna's website.

IES Freiburg: Environmntal Studies & Sustainability

This program allows you to explore topics in Environmental Studies in English, while living in Freiburg, a center of the modern environmental movement.  It's organized in cooperation with the Forest Ecology and Management Program at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität. Students also participate in German language courses at the beginning, intermediate, or advanced level. Field study trips to the Swiss Alps, the Rhine River Valley, and the Black Forest, as well as a variety of cultural events and activities, round out the program.
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Wherever you decide to study, take time to experience the city you are in! While in Europe, don't just travel to Rome, London, Amsterdam and all the other large, well known cities, but take time to get to know the region you are in better, as well.

Approved Programs are programs from which Whitman College accepts credit, but Whitman College financial aid cannot be used for them. There are many Approved Programs in German-speaking countries through other colleges:

However, if you know of a different program that you're thinking of apply to, be sure to check with the Study Abroad Office before ruling it out as an option!

Whether you've traveled abroad before or not, studying abroad offers an entirely different experience. When you arrive, you may stay in tourist mode for a time, but eventually that will wear off, and you can honestly say "I've lived" not, "I visited" - and there is a big difference between the two.