Why Study Abroad in Germany?
Here are a few of the advantages…
- Improve your language skills by immersing yourself in the language and culture and surrounding yourself with German speakers.
- Gather important skills – adaptability, flexibility, intercultural competence – that will make you a more desirable candidate in a global job market.
- Gain a deeper understanding of Germany’s national identity by visiting important historical sites and participating in cultural activities.
- Broaden your perspective by observing different people and institutions.
- Experience what it’s like to move through the world in a different language and culture!
- Experience what it’s like to live in a German-speaking country (not just be a tourist!) – buy Brötchen at the Bäckerei, go grocery shopping, or commute via public transportation).
The German Department recommends the following programs abroad for undergraduates, because they each focus on the acquisition of language and intercultural competence.
Participation in these programs is open to all students who meet minimum language proficiency levels, not just to German majors or minors.
German Language and Culture in Munich (formerly Pitt in Munich)
Program Dates: May 9-June 13, 2026
This 5-week Maymester program is led by Pitt faculty.
Language Requirement: at least one year of college level German (GER 101-102 or the equivalent)
Participants are required to have completed the first-year German language sequence (GER 101-102 or the equivalent). This program is appropriate for students already at intermediate or advanced levels to continue their language study over the summer at the renowned Goethe Institute in Munich. Students will be placed in language classes at their level (A2-C2).
Earn up to 6 credits (including a Gen Ed) toward your Pitt degree!
The courses include:
- German Language course at Goethe Institut in Munich (3 cr.)
- GER 0058 Munich: History, Society, Culture (3 cr.) (fulfills Literature, Social Science, Specific Geographic Region)
In addition to the language immersion in the Goethe Institut classes, students also enroll in an English-language course, GER 0058 Munich: History, Society, Culture, taught by a Pitt faculty member. This course focuses on the history and culture of Munich and southern Germany. Class lectures are supplemented with day trips to various museums as well as cultural and historical sites, such as visits to Schloss Neuschwanstein, the concentration camp at Dachau, the NS-Documentation Center in Munich, the Lenbachhaus and Pinakothek art museums, etc. Through readings and lectures contextualizing these excursions, students deepen their knowledge about German history, art, and contemporary culture, including more recent developments in immigration, politics, policy.
At the Goethe Institut, students are integrated into language classes with participants from around the world, so German is frequently the common language. We also promote language acquisition and intercultural competence outside of the classroom by encouraging students to use German with each other, in their interactions with Munich residents, and when planning their own excursions. Participants reside in an international Gästehaus (guest house – a dorm with small appartments) in Munich, which provides several advantages: students independently commute to the Goethe Institut, shop for groceries on their own, and have the opportunity to interact with other Gästehaus residents from around the world.
- For more information, visit the official website for German Language and Culture in Munich.
- Make an appointment with the German Dept. study abroad advisor, Prof. Jaclyn Kurash, to learn about how you can apply these credits toward a German Degree at Pitt!
- To learn more about how previous Pitt students spent their time in Munich, check out this student project!
Applications due January 20, 2026
(Apply here: https://www.abroad.pitt.edu/munich)
Partner Programs
AJY Heidelberg ~ https://ajyheidelberg.de/
AJY Heidelberg Director, Martin Kley, and his team offer two high-quality programs that focus on achieving excellent results for language acquisition, with some options for interdisciplinary majors.
6-week Summer Program (May 18-June 28, 2026)
Requires at least 2 semesters of German (101-102) or equivalent
Intermediate track: Students who have completed 102 at Pitt (or the equivalent), can complete the equivalent of Pitt’s 201-202 Intermediate German 1-2 in Heidelberg, earning 6 credits.
Advanced track: Students who have completed GER 202 Intermediate German 2 (or the equivalent) can earn up to 9 credits by taking AJY’s Advanced German language courses 301, 302, and 333 Contemporary Controversies.
During the summer program, students stay w/ German host families and take courses at the AJY Center.
Some opportunities for tailored internships exist for this program, but would need to be organized in advance.
Spring/Fall Semester Program or Full Year!
Requires 4 semesters of German, or equivalent
The Spring/Fall Semester Program and Full Year Programs with AJY Heidelberg require 4 semesters of German (at least GER 202 or the equivalent).
Students can earn 12-18 credits per semester by taking courses at the AJY Center, at the ISZ (Internationale Studienzentrum), and/or at the University of Heidelberg.
Optional: Internships in your field, including STEM fields, English teaching internships, and more.
Check out AJY Heidelberg’s Chemistry-German opportunities here!
Make an appointment with the German Dept. study abroad advisor, Prof. Jaclyn Kurash, to discuss how you can apply these credits toward a German Degree at Pitt!
IES Freiburg: Language and Area Studies ~
https://www.iesabroad.org/destinations/germany/freiburg
IES Freiburg Director, Merle Peitsmeyer, and her team offer three excellent programs: Environmental Studies, EU Studies, and Language and Area Studies. For language acquisition, we recommend IES Freiburg’s Language and Area Studies program!
IES Freiburg has a Semester option (Spring/Fall) or a Full Year option.
Requires 4 semesters of German, or equivalent
The Spring/Fall Semester Program and Full Year Programs with IES Freiburg require 4 semesters of German (at least GER 202 or the equivalent).
Students can earn 16-19 credits per semester by taking courses at IES Center and at the Albert-Ludwig-Universität Freiburg
IES has Scholarship Funding available! Students can apply when they apply for the program.
Optional: Summer Internships in your field!
Check out AJY Heidelberg’s Chemistry-German opportunities here!
Make an appointment with the German Dept. study abroad advisor, Prof. Jaclyn Kurash, to discuss how you can apply these credits toward a German Degree at Pitt!
Semester Program in Augsburg
This semester-long program offers advanced students the opportunity to enroll at the University of Augsburg (Universität Augsburg), where they may take regular courses in their major and/or at the university language center, all of which are taught in German. Students can design a highly individualized program based on the course offerings in Augsburg after consulting with Dr. Jaclyn Kurash. In the past, students have taken 3-4 courses for a total of 6-8 University of Pittsburgh college credits. In addition, students from the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences fulfill all but the non-western portion of the Foreign Culture requirement. For more information about the program or its requirements, please contact the study abroad advisor Professor Jaclyn Kurash early in the fall semester.
LMU Munich Exchange Program
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) is recognized as one of Europe's premier academic and research institutions. Since its founding in 1472, LMU has attracted inspired scholars and talented students from all over the world, keeping the University at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change our complex world. Being Germany’s largest university, LMU Munich also has one of the most international student populations in the country. Approximately 15 percent of their 50,000 students come from abroad. Almost 1,400 individual exchange agreements for student, faculty and staff mobility with about 500 universities worldwide. More than 1,000 students from their partner universities come to Munich on exchange every year. Despite the size of our student population, both national and international, it is their aim to make sure that every exchange student feels welcome. The International Office of LMU Munich takes pride in its reputation for hospitality.
Each year Pitt sends up to 2 students per semester to this institution. In addition to submitting an application to the link above, be sure to review LMU's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt’s Study Abroad Office is necessary for you to be recognized as an exchange student, so be sure to turn in all required documents. For more information visit https://abroad.pitt.edu/UAS7MUAS.
Other Study Abroad Opportunities
The University of Pittsburgh offers approved study abroad programs at a number of other institutions in German-speaking countries. For more information on these programs, contact Leslie Ann Smedley in the Global Experiences Office.
But, Study Abroad is expensive! Now what?
How can I pay for Study Abroad? (Pitt Funding Sources)
German Department Scholarships for study abroad (Deadline January 15)
Preference given to students pursuing German Majors and Certificates
http://www.german.pitt.edu/opportunities/scholarships-and-awards
Kuschmierz & Wylie-Ernst
The Ruth L. M. Kuschmierz Endowed German Student Resource Fund
German Department Internship Award
Nationality Room Scholarships (Deadline Dec. 1)
Pitt Global Experiences Office Scholarships (and link contains list of more scholarships!)
Vira Heinz Program Scholarship ~ https://www.viraheinz.pitt.edu/
Log on to PittFund$Me
