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 4-21 2026
Program Fee: $1,450

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. Participate in discussions that question the role of history, the arts, policy, infrastructure, technology and nature in society and human experience.

  • 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.
  • Participate in Workshops.
  • 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. Gain insights from people you meet along the way.

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

Fees & Important Dates

Program Fee: $1,450
Travel Dates: May 4 – May 21 2026

Zoom Project Presentations: June 8, 2026

Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
Deposit Deadline: $500 due by 4:00p.m. on February 13, 2026

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

Commitment and Program Withdrawal Schedule

Timeline of Student Withdrawal

Program Fee Student is Financially Responsible to Pay
120-90 days before the program departure date 25% or the Program Deposit Amount, Whichever is Greater
89-60 days before the program departure date 50%
59-15 days before the program departure date 75%
14 or fewer days before the program departure date 100%


Summer Tuition Bill Due, Including Remainder of Program Fee: April 29, 2026

Courses

Students will register for 5-5.5 summer session credits through Michigan Technological University and pay the associated tuition costs.

Required

Optional Courses

HU 3289 counts towards the German minor.

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 through 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 to Dresden, Germany, departing from the US on an evening flight on Monday, May 4, 2026. We will meet at the airport in Dresden on Tuesday morning, May 6. We will depart for the United States from the Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Thursday, May 21.

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

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

Students will spend the first 8 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 unstructured days, students will be welcome to join their instructor, but they are also free to explore independently. Students will join the instructor regularly for presentations, workshops, excursions, discussions, and dinners but they will have ample time to explore independently.

 

Tentative Itinerary:

Date Day Activities

Jan. 30, 2026

   Application deadline
Feb. 6, 2026  

Commit to Michigan Tech study abroad app in Via TRM

Begin completing forms required by the Study Abroad and Away Office
Feb. 13, 2026  
  • Study Abroad Enrollment, Payment, and Withdrawal  contract is due – upload to Via TRM, or email to studyabroad@mtu.edu
  • A non-refundable deposit of $500 must be made to secure enrollment. Deposits are paid through Michigan Tech Student Financial Services Center by 4p.m.

Withdrawal after February results in loss of the $500 deposit.
April 29, 2026   Pay tuition and remainder of the program fee. Work on Canvas assignments:  German Men short cultural book, history, films
May 4, 2026 Monday Evening flight to Dresden, Germany.  Please try and sleep on the flight.  It is your best protection against jet lag.  You will arrive in the morning and I will keep you up until an early bed time.
May 5, 2026 Tuesday Meet outside of the secured area of the Dresden airport (There is one exit) Snack bags given at airport.  Travel by SBahn to Rathen. Leave luggage at Hinterland Hostel.   Hike Bastei, dinner at hostel,  sleep.
May 6, 2026 Wednesday Malerweg 1 as a group, then free to split up:  Bad Schandau park headquarters? Dinner Pirna Doener (options) History lecture. https://maps.app.goo.gl/cGrn9oPdVQ3PjBz88 Bio Restaurant Schmilka option
May 7, 2026 Thursday Dresden walking tour.  Climb Frauenkirche (plus possible noon 50 minute tour preceded by prayer, not optional, so individuals may tour another time if they wish) Residenzschloss together, 16:30 Dinner (Sophienkeller)   (Semperoper? ~ 19:00)
May 8, 2026 Friday Prague all day
May 9, 2026 Saturday Optional group hike to Königstein.
May 10, 2026 Sunday Self-directed day.  Hike, museums, … (Hohenstein, Waltersdorf Mühle, Dresden, Meissen…)
May 11, 2026 Monday VW Glasmanufaktur in the morning, lunch Alex? then self-directed day. Dresden? Freiberg? Hikes?
May 12, 2026 Tuesday Recap, course discussions.  Free day for museums, hikes, etc.  Wood-fired pizza party at Hinterland.
May 13, 2026 Wednesday Pack up, leave Hinterland as nice as you found it. Travel to Berlin. Check into Meininger Central Station. Walking tour of main sites in Berlin.
May 14, 2026 Thursday Deutschland Museum Reservation at …,  Checkpoint Charlie or other Museum.  Lecture?  Dinner 17:45
May 15, 2026 Friday Meet at 8? At Meininger.  (to be determined): Haus der Wannseekonferenz workshop, will be reserved.  Am Großen Wannsee 56-58, 14109 Berlin, Germany  Potsdam Sanssouci or Babelsburg. Evening film? Jewish Film Festival?  Other evening cultural activities.
May 16, 2026 Saturday Day free options.
May 17, 2026 Sunday

Day free options.  News articles/course discussion, dinner at Republic Berlin 5:00 pm
May 18, 2026 Monday Day free options. Discuss plans with Frau Rowe
May 19, 2026 Tuesday Day free options. Discuss plans with Frau Rowe
May 20, 2026 Wednesday Day and Dinner tbd
May 21, 2026 Thursday

Depart from Meininger with the RE train or other public transportation to BER airport.  Plan to arrive three hours prior to flight, unless your flight is at 6.  Check when the airport opens.  Two hours may be enough for the earliest flights. 

Auf Wiedersehen! Schöne Reise! Students may continue with their summer plans.
June 8, 2026 Monday Share projects
All breakfasts and at least 8 dinners are included.   There is also a full kitchen at Hinterland Hostel for cooking.

Costs for Students

The program fee for Topics in German Speaking Cultures: Landscapes and Cityscapes by Foot and Public Transportation is $1,450.

A $500 deposit must be paid to the Registrar's Office by  February 13, 2026. 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 are due by April 29, 2026.

The following is a summary of costs students can anticipate:

  • $1450 program fee includes:
    • Lodging for the duration of the faculty-led portion of the trip, May 5-21, 2026;
    • 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);
  • Deutschland ticket (~€58, ~$66)
  • 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: