Study Abroad
The German Studies Section at the College of William and Mary strongly recommends that students study in a German -peaking country for a summer, a semester, or a full year. Study abroad in a German-speaking country is typically arranged in one of three ways:
- Through a W&M program (summer study abroad in Potsdam; semester or year abroad at the Universität Münster)
- Through a program administered by another American university
- Through direct enrollment at a German or Austrian university or summer program
The third option is primarily for students who have an excellent command of German, exhibit a strong degree of independence, and can navigate through the German University system (which is known to be highly bureacratic and difficult!). This option also requires that students obtain course grade certificates (Scheine) from their professors and document all the work they have done while abroad.
Here are links to some programs we recommend:
Also note that the Fulbright Commission offers a number of English Language Teaching Assistantships in European countries that are particularly attractive for students who are interested in pursuing a teaching career. Teaching assistantships are available in both Germany and Austria.
However you decide to study abroad in a German-speaking country, students are required to consult with the Head of the German Studies section before departure and to fill out a Transfer Credit Pre-Approval form, which specifies which courses are to be taken and the W&M equivalences for such courses and the estimate of the number of credit hours.
Upon returning to W&M, students are required to fill out a Transfer Credit Post-Approval form, have it signed by the Section Head, and submit it to the Global Education Office.
