Strategic Partner Mobility Initiative
We are very excited to announce that the University of Freiburg exchange program is part of Penn State Global's Strategic Partner Mobility Initiative! This initiative includes the following:
Extended Penn State Education Abroad Application Deadline (Spring 2024 Only)
Guaranteed Scholarship
- Effective Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Academic Year 2024-25, and Spring 2025 terms:
- All students committed to participating in the University of Freiburg exchange program will receive a $3,000 scholarship from Penn State Global pursuant to Penn State financial guidelines and eligibility to receive institutional scholarships. There is no application required.
- Note: For students committed to participating in this exchange program for the full academic year 2024-25 term (i.e., fall 2024 and spring 2025 terms), a $3,000 scholarship would be awarded for each term (a total of $6,000) pursuant to Penn State financial guidelines and eligibility to receive institutional scholarships.
Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Junior standing or above at the start of the program
- 5 semesters of college-level German language or equivalent, which must include GER 201 and 6 credits of 300-level German (GER 301, GER 302 and GER 310 or GER 344 are highly recommended)
Program Description
This is a program for highly independent, self-motivated students with strong German language skills. The program is a direct-enrollment exchange program; on-site support is provided by the International Office at Freiburg. Students take all of their coursework directly at the University of Freiburg with other German and International students. Students may take classes from all faculties at the University of Freiburg with the exception of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, molecular medicine, and psychology. A four-week intensive German language course, which is highly recommended for students, is offered by the Language Teaching Center prior to the start of the semester for an additional fee.
The University of Freiburg (colloquially German: Uni Freiburg), officially the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg (German: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg), is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The University of Freiburg is one of the oldest and most renowned higher education institutions in Germany. Freiburg is listed among the best German universities according to the latest Academic Ranking of World Universities.Founded in 1457, it is the fifth-oldest university in Germany, with a long tradition of teaching the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The University of Freiburg has a student population of approximately 30,000 students. Most university buildings are located directly in the city center or in adjacent neighborhoods.
Dates
Academic Year: early October - early August
Spring: early April - early August
Students who participate in the optional pre-semester German language course will start the semester approximately one month earlier. Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with a population of about 224,000. In the south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. A famous old German university town, and archiepiscopal seat, Freiburg was incorporated in the early twelfth century and developed into a major commercial, intellectual, and ecclesiastical center of the upper Rhine region. The city is known for its medieval minster and Renaissance university, as well as for its high standard of living and advanced environmental practices. The city is situated in the heart of the major Baden wine-growing region and serves as the primary tourist entry point to the scenic beauty of the Black Forest.
Freiburg is rich in history. The city´s many sights, including the historic city center, are a magnet for tourists. The large number of students living in Freiburg keeps the city young, as does the wide array of nightlife and cultural attractions.
Freiburg earned this name and reputation due to its high environmental standards, its innovative research and development (including at the university), and its general attitude toward the environment. More than three decades ago, the city made a commitment to finding alternative sources of energy, saying “no” to nuclear energy. Freiburg actively seeks to conserve energy, to use new technologies and renewable energy sources. It is, therefore, no wonder that Freiburg is home to companies and research institutes that are frontrunners in the fi eld of solar technology. This is a place where high-tech research and successful entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.