German Studies
Study abroad can help German Studies students:
- Improve foreign language skills
- Gain awareness of the major discipline from a different scholarly tradition
- Develop a global perspective
- Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
- Prepare for an increasingly diverse and international workplace
- Gain research skills from field studies or work with primary sources
How does a semester or year of study abroad help students in German Studies prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities?
- After spending an academic year abroad, the students’ German language skills are typically significantly improved, allowing them to be stronger applicants in both graduate school and job applications.
- Studying abroad helps German Studies majors develop international contacts and networks that can help with postgraduate grants and fellowships.
- All recommended study abroad programs in Germany offer optional internships
As a general rule of thumb, the German Studies program recommends the following for students who wish to study abroad:
- Ideally students should take as much German as possible before studying abroad. Students who wish to take their courses in German need at a minimum to have successfully completed German courses through GERM 206 Intermediate German to qualify for the programs.
- Discuss your graduation plan fully with your German Studies Major Advisor in your second year if you plan to study abroad.
- Note to heritage speakers of German and students with a strong background in German: Program admission applications will require at least one graded German course on your Whitman transcript at the time of application.
Which requirements can German Studies majors fulfill while studying abroad?
- Elective major credit in consultation with your German Studies Major Advisor
- General Studies distribution credit
- General degree credit
Major Credit Limitations
- The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the German Studies major from off-campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 12 credits with the approval of your Major Advisor.
Minor Credit Limitations
- A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.
What are the types of study abroad programs recommended by the German Studies program?
- Studying at a center for U.S. students with German faculty and/or direct enrollment in a foreign university with local students (Note: Whether or not a student can enroll in courses at a university in Germany depends on the student’s German level and study abroad term. Students studying abroad for only the fall semester must study at a center rather than directly enroll at a university because the fall semester calendar in Europe conflicts with Whitman’s spring semester dates.)
- Programs that offer an opportunity for an internship embedded in an academic course as part of a program
Which partner programs are recommended by the German Studies program?
- IES: Berlin Language and Area Studies (Germany)
- IES: Freiburg Language and Area Studies (Germany)
- Year of Study in Munich (Germany)
Students interested in studying abroad should attend a Study Abroad First Steps Meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their Major Advisor, and schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor.
Office of Global Programs
- Email or call to schedule a virtual advising appointment
- 509-527-4992
Office of Global Programs
- Email or call to schedule a virtual advising appointment
- 509-527-4992