Click on a question below to see the answer or scroll down:

How is the housing arranged?
What kinds of students usually participate in this program?
Is there much opportunity to interact with German students?
I’ve never been outside of the U.S. What does it mean to be prepared for this kind of a trip?
I only have 1.5 years of college level German. Can I still apply?
What are some solutions that former participants have found in the past concerning payment?
What happens if I get sick? How does insurance work?
How safe is Germany for students?
How easy will it be to contact my family and friends back in the US?
How should I handle getting/using money?
I want to skip the Goethe Institut portion of the program? Can I?
What courses do I take on the program? How many credits do I earn?
What assistance is available to help me with my courses? Can I arrange for a tutor?
I read that you can only stay in Germany for 90 days. How does that work for this program?
Can I work or find an internship in Germany?

If you would like further clarification on any of these topics or you have additional questions, please contact us at 800-874-7986 or aea@antioch.edu. We would be delighted to further discuss this program opportunity with you.

Q. How is the housing arranged?
A: Upon acceptance into the program, you will receive a “Planning Form” to fill out information about your living preferences (ie, smoking, outdoor activities, early riser, enjoy downtown, etc.). The Resident Director in Tübingen will use that information to place you in a dormitory. (Keep in mind, German dormitories are more like apartments with single rooms and shared common areas). We intentionally avoid placing more than 2 Americans in the same building to help with full immersion into German society and culture. Housing is included in the program costs. Back to Top

Q. What kinds of students usually participate in this program?
A: Students from colleges and universities around the country participate in the Antioch in Germany program. Typically, students are in their junior year during the program, but some students are sophomores or seniors. Participants major in a wide variety of fields, but they all have in common an interest in Germany and the German language. Students are traditionally more independent and have no problem immersing in the program with occasional assistance from Antioch University staff. Back to Top

Q. Is there much opportunity to interact with German students?
A: Yes! Antioch in Germany students are housed with German and German-speaking international students. They will not be in “American dorms.” You will have plenty of opportunities to get to know your “roommates.” (You’ll be in a single room with shared common areas). However, Germans will assume that you are a private person if you don’t take initiative. We encourage you to introduce yourself and initiate conversation. In addition, we will help you identify and join interest groups where you can meet German students. You will learn to build on dormitory and class encounters to make friendships, and often students find that getting involved in a group or activity makes this easier.

Other than any courses you choose to take through the Internationale Sprachprogramme  (ISP), you will be enrolled in courses with German students (and perhaps a few international students). Back to Top

Q. I’ve never been outside of the U.S. What does it mean to be prepared for this kind of a trip?
A: The Antioch in Germany program draws a mixture of students – some have extensive experience traveling abroad, others have never left their own region. The decision to study abroad for students who haven’t been outside of the U.S. before can be a challenging one, but also represents an exciting opportunity that is likely to be life changing. (It can be even more challenging for the parents!) Legally, all you will need is your passport to enter Germany. Reading up on German culture, history, and current events may alleviate some anxiety and help you prepare for your time abroad.

Once your acceptance in the program has been finalized, you will receive a series of emails and mailings with information that will assist you in academic, practical, and cross-cultural preparations for the trip. Our  Resident Director  in Tübingen holds monthly meetings which allow for further discussions related to everything from academic struggles to interpersonal relationships, from meals to health issues. Back to Top

Q. I only have 1.5 years of college level German. Can I still apply?
A: You can still apply. We expect that students will have completed two years of college level German, or the equivalent, by the start of the Antioch in Germany program. If you have less than two years, you should be aware that you may not be accepted if we do not feel that you have sufficient background to succeed in this program. However, in some instances, we have accepted students who have less than two years of college level German if these students demonstrated a strong motivation to further develop their German skills, as evidenced by studying on their own, working with a tutor, participating in a German club, etc. If you would like to further discuss your eligibility to participate in this program, please call (800) 874-7986 or email  aea@antioch.edu  Back to Top

Q. What are some solutions that former participants have found in the past concerning payment?
A: We understand that the cost of participating in a study abroad program can be a challenge for some. However, many students realize that the cost of the Antioch in Germany program is comparable to remaining on campus for the semester or year. You will want to meet with your study abroad and financial aid offices to determine what aid that you currently receive will be transferred to this program.

For students who still need financial assistance, there are scholarships and grants available. In past years our students have been very successful in applying for German Academic Exchange Scholarships (DAAD). These are substantial scholarships. More information on grants and scholarships can be found  here. Back to Top

Q. What happens if I get sick? How does insurance work?
A: If you get sick while in Germany, rest assured you will be provided with exceptional medical care. The German health insurance system provides excellent medical and dental coverage; free choice of a physician, hospitalization, eye care, medication, etc. Some deductibles may apply, especially for medication. Tübingen has a very prestigious medical school and consequently an array of general and highly specialized hospitals. Health facilities are exemplary.

As for insurance, after acceptance, we will issue you two  ISIC  cards (International Student ID Card) which are each good for one year and cover you with limited health insurance anytime you are outside of the U.S. This will cover you from the time you leave the  USA  to go to Germany (or any place you decide to visit) until you arrive in the U.S. after the semester (or after post-semester traveling). You can read what it covers  here.

Students must have health insurance coverage from their home institution or parents’ health plan, and urge you to call to find out what countries your plan covers. In cases where students do not have health insurance or it doesn’t cover them abroad, we expect them to purchase the  ISIC  Premium Insurance, which costs $52. More information about theISIC  card and the option to upgrade to premium insurance is provided following acceptance into the program.

Additionally, from the time you begin the German Compact Program until your final semester at Tübingen University ends, you will be covered under German insurance. This is required by German law, and is covered by the fees of the Antioch in Germany Program. We use  AOK. The  AOK  covers you even if you leave Germany to travel in Europe on a weekend or break. You will carry the  EHIC  (European Health Insurance Card). With this you should be able to get treatment in Europe without being billed. More info on the  AOK  insurance can be found  here.

(Additional Health and Insurance information will be provided if you are accepted into the program.) Back to Top

Q. Is Germany safe for students?
A: Yes, Germany is a safe, politically stable country. In fact, it ranks 16th in the world in terms of safety. More information regarding  Health and Safety  in Germany is available here. Back to Top

Q. How easy will it be to contact my family and friends back in the USA?
A: With today’s technology, staying in touch with family in friends back home is relatively easy and inexpensive. Many students choose email as the most common form of communication. You will receive information on the best places to use the internet. If you prefer talking, a free and user-friendly way to communicate is via Skype. It’s an online system where you can talk (and use video) through the internet.

For those who prefer more traditional communication, be aware that postage rates are more expensive in Germany. A standard letter from Germany to the U.S. costs almost $2.00. Calling the U.S. from a landline is much less expensive than calling Germany from the U.S. (calls are as cheap as 1 cent per minute). If accepted, you will receive detailed info upon arrival in Tübingen. Many students have found calling cards helpful as they can be used from many telephone booths and private homes. Some students purchase a cell phone, which can be used with calling cards, once they arrive. Back to Top

Q. How should I handle getting/using money?
A: Moving money from one country to another is time consuming and expensive. The more you can take with you to start, the more flexible you will be. After you arrive in Tübingen and get settled into your “permanent housing” we will help you decide where and how to set up a bank account. You can deposit money into this account to use. Also, most major credit and debit cards can be used in Germany. However, you will want to notify your bank and/or credit card company that you will be overseas so they do not become suspicious of transactions made in Europe. Also, you will want to find out what fees they charge for international use. Back to Top

Q. I want to skip the Goethe Institut portion of the program? Can I?
A: We highly recommend that students participate in at least a four-week session of the Goethe Institut. However, if a student would like to skip the entire Goethe Institut portion of the program, we would consider that request on a case by case basis. You would need to demonstrate a strong proficiency in the German language already (through courses you’ve taken, a letter from a German professor, etc.). Keep in mind that if you do not participate in the Goethe Institut, no refund (or reduction in fees) will be issued. If this is something you are considering, please contact  AEA  as soon as possible. You will also want to check with your advisors and study abroad office to see what requirements they have for participation in the Antioch in Germany program. Back to Top

Q. What courses do I take on the program? How many credits do I earn?
A: The program begins with 4 or 8 weeks (depending if you are a half or full year student) of language instruction at a Goethe Institut in Germany. You may earn up to 4-8 semester credits for this portion of the program.

Following the Goethe Institut, you will participate in the month-long German Compact Program, an orientation to German university life for all international students. You may earn up to 4 semester credits for this program.

You then choose from hundreds of courses representing all academic areas, offered by Tübingen University. If you need additional German language study, you may elect to take some courses through the Internationale Sprachprogramme, which is geared towards international students. Course listings are available at links to individual faculties. Most students choose to take four courses (16 semester credits) per semester.

In all, a half-year participant typically earns 24 semester credits; a full-year participant usually earns 44 semester credits. You will want to check with your Study Abroad Office and consult your personal academic plan to see how many credits you need to earn abroad. Back to Top

Q. What assistance is available to help me with my courses? Can I arrange for a tutor?
A: The Office of International Relations at the University of Tübingen can arrange one-on-one Tandem partners to help with the correction of German papers and offer assistance with German language tutoring. Students generally find that this really helps them with their courses. In addition, you will be housed with mostly German students, so oftentimes the Americans befriend these roommates and can seek academic assistance from them, as well. Back to Top

Q. I read that you can only stay in Germany for 90 days. How does that work for this program?
A: All that an American citizen needs in order to enter Germany is a valid U.S. passport. (Foreign students from outside the U.S. and E.U. countries may need advance visas). Once you are in Germany, you have three months residence, as a tourist. Aliens (foreigners) staying longer than three months will then need a residency permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). This is granted automatically upon application to students enrolled in German universities, and will be explained during the German Compact Course. This will give you permission to stay in Germany for at least the length of the program. Back to Top

Q. Can I work or find an internship in Germany?  
A: Students are generally allowed to work without a permit for up to 90 days within one year. In order to be legally employed in Germany, you need a work permit, just as a German coming here to work would need a social security number. Getting work permits is not easy and your employer would have to apply for it for you. The cost of the work permit is the responsibility of the student.
Some students do partake in internships or volunteer work. Typically, the internships are unpaid, but occasionally students can find paid internships (especially if they are doing the full year program). Simone Hahne, the Assistant Resident Director for the program, would be able to help direct you to some resources once you arrive in Tübingen (or possibly via email after your acceptance to the program). Back to Top