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German Education Abroad Guide

German street view
CU Boulder Education Abroad offers over 400 programs in over 70 countries! You can go abroad for a semester, year, 2-12 weeks in the summer, or even winter break. Going abroad is strongly encouraged by the German department. Use the following information as a general guideline to plan your time abroad, and connect with your academic advisor as well. Work with Education Abroad advisors to get more details on how to get started, discuss your program options, and next steps. 

Quick Facts

  • Most German Majors study abroad during their junior year, it is also possible to go abroad sophomore or senior year.
  • Students participating in programs on which they can take a German language course typically find that they return to CU with credit for at least one language course per semester spent abroad.
  • Most programs with German/Germanic studies listed as an area of study provide courses that can be taken to fulfill one or more culture/ literature electives for the German major or minor.
  • Use the Course Approvals List to find programs that offer courses approved for the credit you need

Planning and When to Go

  • First-year: Start planning for education abroad! Meet with the German Academic Advisor to plan ahead for education abroad programs, and to outline an academic plan which allows you to meet specific German language prerequisites.
  • Sophomore: Start researching specific programs. Make sure your language abilities match the program you wish to attend. Consider completing A&S Gen Ed requirements that are difficult to fulfill abroad or through courses that you also need for the major/minor on campus. 
  • Junior: Go abroad! Work with your advisor to obtain course approvals, and plan for your senior year to ensure that you can graduate by your intended date.
  • Senior: Work closely with your advisor to ensure that you can get all of your requirements completed.
    Be sure that you know when the credits may be transcripted, as this can delay your official graduation date.

What Kind of Credit Can You Earn Abroad?

Usually Doable Tricky Probably Not
General Electives  A&S Gen Ed GRMN A&S Gen Ed GRMN A&S Gen Ed GRMN
Overall credit hours  Arts and Humanities, Natural Science (Non-Lab), Social Sciences Upper-division GRMN electives Global Diversity GRMN 4010
 		 Natural Science (Lab), Written Communication GRMN 4550: Senior Seminar
 

Suggested Programs

Use these links to find programs that may be a good match for you and your course needs.
   

Additional Resources

Last Updated March 2023