Language Institute in Holzkirchen, Germany
- Study advanced German language and culture in Bavaria.
- Live with a local German host family.
- Includes excursions to Cologne, Berlin, and Bonn.
- KU students are eligible for scholarships up to $4000 with the Krehbiel German Language Summer Institute Scholarship. See Further Reading below for more information.
Immerse yourself in the German language and culture while experiencing a variety of Germany’s landscapes, cities, and points of interest. The program begins with a tour of Germany by train, staying overnight in Berlin and Cologne and enjoying side trips to Bonn, Mayschoss, and others. Following the travel portion of the program, students will engage in the local culture of Holzkirchen by living with German host families, studying German language at the Volkshochschule, and participating in cultural events. Multiple weekend excursions to nearby points of interest such as Berchtesgaden, Neuschwanstein, Chiemsee, Dachau, and a weekend hiking in the Bavarian Alps are also included.
Holzkirchen (pop. 16,000) is located in the pre-Alpine plain 20 miles south of Munich. Commuter trains provide rapid transportation throughout the metropolitan area and enable access to the many cultural offerings of Munich. Situated near the Bavarian Alps and the border with Austria, there are numerous opportunities for exploration and recreational activities in the surrounding mountains and lakes. Holzkirchen has been welcoming KU students since 1961 and the program is conducted in cooperation with the Volkshochschule Holzkirchen-Otterfing and the Freunde der Universität Kansas in Holzkirchen.
Credit & Courses Offered
Each student enrolls in three (3) courses including GERM 453 and two additional courses based on preparation for a total of 9 KU credits.
Students now completing the fourth semester of college German (GERM 202 Intermediate German II) should enroll in GERM 220, GERM 333, and GERM 453. More advanced students (two or more courses beyond fourth-semester college German) should take GERM 453 plus GERM 375 and GERM 400. Please consult with Professor Keel if you have any questions concerning your course selection. Class selection may not be changed after July 1.
Each student will have two classes in the morning Tuesday through Friday as well as on some Mondays. GERM 453 will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Language of instruction in all classes is German. Outside of classes students are expected to use German for all everyday purposes when engaged in group activities (meals, excursions, etc.). Classes meet mornings Tuesday through Friday and afternoons Tuesday through Thursday. Mondays are reserved for day-long excursions. Lunch is provided for the group at a local restaurant on instructional days.
GERM 220 Special Topics: Review of German (3 credit hours) Intensive review of selected grammar topics in German for students in the Deutsche Sommerschule in Holzkirchen. Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent fourth-semester German course.
GERM 333 German Conversation and Idioms (3 credits) Intensive practice in conversational spoken German with instruction in proper pronunciation as well as an introduction to idiomatic usage in German for students in the Deutsche Sommerschule in Holzkirchen. Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent fourth-semester German course.
GERM 375 Topics in Film of German-Speaking Countries (3 credit hours) Examination of topics such as Expressionism, Turkish-German culture in contemporary German film, popular filmmaking, post-unification film, German literature as film, German film and national identity. Topics and periods vary. Prerequisite: GERM 302 or equivalent sixth-semester German course.
GERM 400 Introduction to German Literary Masterpieces (3 credit hours) Reading and analysis of a number of illustrative works of modern German literature, selected to familiarize the student with various literary genres and techniques. Prerequisite: GERM 302 or equivalent sixth-semester German course.
GERM 453 Special Studies in German Language, History and Culture (3 credit hours) This course is required of all students at the Deutsche Sommerschule in Holzkirchen. Students will discuss and write reports in German on aspects of German cultural and political history with a focus on the 20th century. Course content will be integrated with excursions to museums and cultural sites as well as stays in Cologne and Berlin. Prerequisite: GERM 202 or fourth semester German course.
During their stay in Holzkirchen, students will live with German host families and enjoy breakfast and dinner at the home. During weekend excursions and the travel portion of the program, students will stay in double occupancy hotel rooms and eat most meals together as a group. A meal stipend is provided for additional meals.
June 12 Depart US
June 13 Arrive in Munich
June 14 Orientation in Holzkirchen
June 15-22 Travel by train around Germany, staying overnight in Cologne and Berlin. Highlights include:
- Daytrips to Bonn and Mayschoss
- Römisch-Germanisches, Checkpoint Charlie, and contemporary German history museums
- Visits to points of interest and places of historical significance including Beethoven’s birthplace, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, the Reichstag building, and many more
June 23 - July 30 Study and live in Holzkirchen. Experience the surrounding area through multiple weekend excursions and day trips, including:
- Hiking in the Bavarian Alps and a weekend at an Alpine cabin.
- Visiting the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein.
- Discovering Chiemsee Lake and its island palace.
- Exploring Munich, Germany’s third largest city
July 30 Depart Munich for US
Open to students from any accredited U.S. college or university who have completed four semesters of college-level German or the equivalent (four years of high school German, etc). Minimum 2.50 GPA required. (Exceptions considered only after submission of a petition.)
Krehbiel German Language Summer Institute Scholarship
Fund created with the generous contribution of Carl Krehbiel to provide support for KU students attending the German Summer Language Institute programs in Holzkirchen and Eutin, Germany. Amounts up to $4,000. The scholarship application deadline is March 1. Applications are available online: https://ku.studioabroad.com/?go=KrehbielGermanScholarship
For more information, contact:
Professor William Keel
Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
Wescoe Hall
1445 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 2080
Lawrence, KS 66045-7590
phone: 785-864-4657
fax: 785-864-4298
email: wkeel@ku.edu
Program Director
Dr. William Keel, Chair and Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Kansas. Dr. Keel studied at the University of Bonn for three semesters and has directed over 30 summer institutes for KU since 1980.
Course instruction is provided by Dr. Keel and faculty of the Volkshochschule with training in Deutsch als Fremdsprache and traditional German studies.
