Humanities
Image of quaint German town on the water

Germany Study Abroad

Exploring Topics in German-Speaking Cultures

Landscapes and Cityscapes by Foot and Public Transportation 

Program Leader: Stephanie Rowe
May 5-22, 2025
Program Fee: $1,400

Investigate topics in German-speaking cultures while actively and sustainably  exploring the landscape and cities of southeastern Germany. Examine first-hand the complex history of the German-speaking world, from pre-Roman influences to the present day. Consider the evolving role of the individual in society within shifting borders and competing ideologies. Engage with cultural, political, and environmental topics through news media, film, historical non-fiction, exhibits, concerts, theater productions, factory tours, and other media and experiences.  Engage in discussions that question the role of policy, infrastructure, technology and nature in society.

  • Hike the Painter's Path (Malerweg) 8-stage Trail.
  • Explore significant sites in Berlin, Pirna, Dresden, and Prague.
  • Tour the VW Glass Factory (Die Gläserne Manufaktur) E-vehicle research and development site.
  • Visit museums showcasing the DDR, Bauhaus, Jewish-German history, WWII, early central European history through the time of the Holy Roman Empire and the advent of a modern German nation.
  • Walk through the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of Germany’s beginnings, division and reunification.
  • Tour the Reichstag, visit remnants of the Berlin Wall.
  • Attend concerts, theater productions and other cultural events.
  • And so much more, including activities of your choosing!

In addition to the many planned group excursions, you will have ample opportunity to explore Germany on your own and in smaller groups according to your own interests, sharing your discoveries with the group. Enjoy conversations  with people you meet along the way.

You will have local and regional transportation passes enabling you to travel freely.

Program Fee:  $1,400
Travel Dates:  May 5 – May 22, 2025

Zoom Project Presentations: June 9 and 10, 2025

Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Deposit Deadline:  $400 due by 4 p.m. on March 14, 2025

You must pay your deposit to secure your spot.  Waitlisted people will be admitted immediately following the deposit deadline.

Student Cancellation Deadline Without Penalty: March 14, 2025
Summer Tuition Bill Due, Including Remainder of Program Fee: April 30, 2025

Courses

Students will register for 3 to 4.5 summer session credits through Michigan Technological University and pay the associated tuition costs. Students must enroll in either HU 3263 or HU 3286. Students may enroll in PE 0175 and/or PE 1210.

Required

One of the following:

Optional Courses

All courses meet General Education requirements.  HU 3263 and HU 3286 count towards the German minor. HU 3263 satisfies upper-level HASS requirements and HU 3286 may be taken in lieu of Global Issues.

Students will complete some of the assignments prior to traveling to Germany so that they will be able to devote most of their time to exploring  sites of interest and conducting on-site research.  Students will have the opportunity to consider alternative perspectives and ways of understanding the world in course discussions and planned activities. Each student will keep a journal of their travels and will complete a  project which they will present via Zoom in June 2025.

Lush, green evergreen trees in the National Park Sachsen Switzerland
National Park Sachsen Switzerland

Diverse landscapes along the Malerweg, including forest, fields and stunning sandstone formations.

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate, the iconic landmark of Berlin, conjures an emotion of human dignity and vulnerability.

Bronze statue of woman on horse holding a spear
Bronze Statue

Historical artifacts and art will help bring history alive and add to an understanding of Germany today

The Dresden Hauptbanhof or train station
Dresden Hauptbahnhof

The beautiful architecture of train stations like this one in Dresden create a lively cultural hub throughout Germany.

The Reichstag's glass dome
The Reichstag

The crown of the Reichstag Building, a mirrored glass structure that provides light to the parliament, demonstrating a commitment to both transparency and environmental awareness.

Itinerary

You will make arrangements to fly toBerlin, Germany, departing from the US on an evening flight on Monday, May 5, 2025. We will meet at the airport in Berlin on Tuesday morning, May 6. We will depart for the United States from the Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Thursday, May 22.

While in Germany you will have two quite different home bases:

Berlin, Germany

Students will spend the first 7 nights at the Meininger Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus Hostel in the metropolis of Berlin. Berlin is a vibrant multicultural city, with many of the world’s most renowned museums, signs of its divided past, and sites of historical significance in every casual glance.  Art, theater, film and scientific research thrive, forums are open for public engagement and protests of all sorts are a regular occurrence.  There are parks and rooftop cafes where we can hold our discussions, and lakes and parks to easily take a break from city life. American students will notice a remarkably small number of cars in the city centers that we visit.  During the day, students will be welcome can join their instructor, but they are also free to explore independently. Students will join the instructor regularly for presentations, excursions and discussions as well as dinners but they will have ample time to explore independently.

Rathen, Germany

You will spend 8 nights at the rustic Hinterland Hostel in Rathen, Germany. This lovingly renovated farmhouse and barn reflect a commitment to sustainability and a connection with the past.   Hinterland Hostel is located in the middle of the stunning national park Sachsen Switzerland which houses many museums in the small villages throughout the park, including the world’s largest model railroad. Rathen is 40 minutes by S-Bahn from Dresden, a city which was well over 90% destroyed during WWII, the seat of the Kingdom of Saxony, and Putin’s place of foreign service while he served in the KGB.

Berlin, Germany Final Night

The last night will be spent at the Meininger Hostel Berlin Brandenburg (Willy Brandt) Airport.  We will conduct a course wrap up and have a group dinner.

The following itinerary dates are correct, but the precise activities may vary.

Day Location Activity
May 5 Your local airport Leave for Germany.
May 6 Berlin Arrive in Berlin in the a.m. Meet group at the airport, travel to Meininger Hostel Berlin Mitte Humboldt Haus.  Get settled. City walking tour. Group dinner.
May 7 Berlin Deutschland Museum tour with group.  Students go independently to museums and other areas for project research. Early evening discussion/theater or other cultural event.
May 8 Berlin Haus am Wannsee tour. Discussion on grounds. Lunch.  Independent afternoon and evening.
May 9 Berlin Independent exploration and research. Individual 1:1 discussion with professor.  Suggestions for activities and excursions are provided.  Students will share their activities with the group and keep the program leader informed as to their plans.
May 10 Berlin Independent day and research, individual meetings.  Cultural events.
May 11 Berlin Stefan’s planned day.  Group dinner.
May 12 Berlin Independent day.
May 13 Rathen Pack up and depart from Meininger Berlin Mitte.  ICE train to Dresden, S/Bahn to Rathen, check in to Hinterland Hostel.  Hike Bastei.  Dinner at Hinterland.
May 14 Rathen Breakfast. Hike Malerweg stage 1 together. Free afternoon. Dinner in Rathen. Evening class.
Relaxed breakfast in Rathen. Students may choose their own agenda.
May 15 Rathen Breakfast discussion. Visit Fortress Königstein.  Free evening.

May 16

 Rathen Breakfast. Group excursion to Dresden: walking tour, historical overview, museums, dinner, concert in Frauenkirche or other cultural event.
May 17 Rathen Breakfast. Prague!
May 18 Rathen Breakfast. Group excursion to Pirna to visit DDR Museum, Sonnenstein Memorial, and Stadtmuseum.
May 19 Rathen Breakfast. Dresden VW ID R&D factory.
May 20 Rathen Independent exploration and research. Individual 1:1 discussion with professor. Pizza party at Hinterland Hostel!
May 21 Rathen-Berlin Relaxed breakfast in Rathen. Pack up, clean, head to Berlin on ICE train.  Check in to Berlin Brandenburg airport Meininger Hostel.  Dinner together. Final discussions on topics, history, current events, how to carry the experience forward, insights, observations, thoughts.

May 22

 Berlin-home Depart. Every end is a new beginning! Completion of study-abroad portion of course. Gute Reise!
June 9, 10 Anywhere Final Class presentations via Zoom.

Costs for Students

The program fee for Topics in German Speaking Cultures: Landscapes and Cityscapes by Foot and Public Transportation is $1,400.

A $400 deposit must be paid to the Registrar's Office by March 14, 2025. Payment should be accompanied by a form designating payment to the faculty-led travel abroad index A 12055.

Students will be registered for summer Track A credits with MTU. 

Tuition and the remainder of the program fee ($1,000) are due by April 30, 2025.

The following is a summary of costs students can anticipate:

  • $1400 program fee includes:
    • Lodging for the duration of the faculty-led portion of the trip, May 6-22, 2025;
    • Local and regional transportation passes;
    • Entrance to museums, cultural events, factory tours, and other activities;
    • Travel for group excursions;
    • all breakfasts;
    • Eight dinners;
    • Trail snacks;
    • Instruction facilities;
    • Program administration.
    • International health insurance;
  • MTU Tuition for course(s), 3, 3.5, 4, or 4.5 credits;
  • Plane ticket (round trip to Berlin);
  • Non-included meals: ~8 dinners, most lunches and snacks (kitchen facilities are available in lodging, so students may grocery shop and prepare meals to reduce costs);
  • Cell phones and SIM cards;
  • Spending money for souvenirs, entertainment, etc.;
  • Optional travel.

Additional Study Abroad Information

Have questions about studying abroad? Contact Stephanie Rowe at sdrowe@mtu.edu or Casey Nelson at the  MTU Study Away and Abroad Office. They will provide you with more details to help you prepare for the trip.

Here are some other resources that will help you with your visit: