Study Abroad in Germany
Laying in central Europe, Germany is one of the largest European countries as well as one of the wealthiest in the world. The population of around 80 million people inhabits a territory extending approximately 357,000 square kilometers.
From the flat, fertile plains of the north to the snow-capped peaks of the Bavarian Alps, the German landscape is extremely varied. One of the country’s most famous and picturesque regions is the Black Forest in the southwest, which gets its name from the dark coniferous trees. Germany has many canals and rivers, which are vitally important for transporting cargo. Berlin is the capital city.

*Video courtesy of Destination Germany
Program Details
- Must be between the ages of 14 and 18
- No prior German language required
- Placed with volunteer host family
- Optional Soft Landing Camp
- Optional 2 week language and orientation camp
- Optional sports guarantee
Dates
- Academic Year: Sept– June
- Fall Semester: Sept– Jan
Soft Landing Camp: Not available due to the pandemic - Spring Semester: Jan – June
- 3 month Fall program: Sept –Dec
Soft Landing Camp: Not available due to the pandemic - 3 month Spring program: Jan– April
- 2 month Fall program: Sept – Nov
Soft Landing Camp: Not available due to the pandemic - 2 month Spring program: Jan – March
- Fall Application Deadline: April 1st
- Spring Application Deadline: October 1st
Program Costs
- Academic Year – $7,500
- Semester – $7,300
- 3 months – $4,500
- 2 months – $4,300
Required International Health/Liability Insurance:
- Academic Year – $780
- Semester – $390
- 3 months – $230
- 2 months – $155
$1700 deposit due with application
Optional additions:
– Soft Landing Camp in Mannheim – $560
– Metro Guarantee– N/A
– Regional Guarantee– $615
– Sports Guarantee– $280
**Prices are subject to change**
Program Includes
Public high school acceptance
Volunteer host family placement
Visa support documents
Pre-departure orientation
Local orientation upon arrival if not attending language course
Monitoring and supervision by local partner while in Germany
24-hour emergency support
Program Does Not Include
International airfare
Domestic transportation to host family and within Germany
School textbooks and lunches
Extracurricular expenses for clubs, sports, etc.
Passport/visa/resident card fees
Personal spending money
Resources
High School System
Even though the system of secondary education differs depending on each federal state, the basic structure is the same. There are four types of secondary schools in Germany; Hauptschule, Realschule, Gesamtschule and Gymnasium.
Students are admitted into one of these schools depending on their performance at elementary school. Students who have attained a high academic standard are allowed to attend Gymnasium. Hauptschule and Realschule end after the 9th or 10th grade respectively, at which time most students apply to do an apprenticeship. Gesamstchule has lower entering requirements and merges the previously mentioned kinds of schools.
High school classes usually start at around 8am and end at 1pm, but some classes may be held in the afternoon. There are mandatory subjects such as: German, Math, History, Sciences, Sports and a second language up to the 10th and 11th grade. Vocational subjects vary from school to school but may include music, computer science, dance, and sports.