Careers, Culture & Language in Eutin, Germany

- Explore Germany with other KU students and an experienced KU faculty member.
- Gain experience and develop the linguistic and cultural skills to become a well-connected international career expert.
- Access exclusive insider guided tours of renowned German companies, institutes, and other professional organizations.
- Meet and connect with international organizations, faculty, and students to develop an international professional network.
- Acquire strategies and resources to develop an international career plan that matches your goals.
- Learn all about German language and culture in Lawrence's sister city.
- Visit major German cities (Berlin, Hamburg) and off-the-beaten-path highlights (Kiel, Lübeck).
- Earn 6-8 KU credit hours.
- Next program offering: TBD
- Guaranteed scholarships of up to $5,000 available for KU every student that applies. See Further Reading section below for more information.
This program is designed to introduce students to the professional landscape of Germany in an approachable way. Ideal for students with curiosity about Germany as well as those pursuing for those pursuing international career goals, students will gain international experience and skills while building connections with international partners. This four week program includes German language and cultural learning, travel to multiple cities in Northern Germany and professional development and networking experiences.
We pride ourselves in over sixty years of transitional relations with Lawrence’s sister city Eutin (“oy-TEEN”) welcoming students of German to experience life in Germany from an insider’s perspective. Students will experience first-hand immersion into local and (inter)national language and culture by living with host families, while receiving KU credit for classes instructed on-site by KU faculty. Students put their newly gained knowledge to use right away in cultural activities, when attending social events, and while exploring the best Northern Germany has to offer: the major European cities Berlin and Hamburg, off-the-beaten-path industry and policy-maker hubs Kiel and Lübeck, and major tourist attraction the Baltic Sea.
Students will explore Germany’s professional landscape by touring German companies, institutes, and professional organizations with expert guides. Visits will be adapted to the interests of the student group, but may include sectors and disciplines such as biomedical engineering, pharmaceutics, politics, environmental science, and marine and evolutionary biology. Students receive an excellent overview of resources, opportunities, and steps involved in researching an international career path. This program is open to any KU student who wants to develop employable skills in an international setting.
Eutin, Germany
Situated midway between Kiel and Lübeck in the northernmost state of Schleswig-Holstein, Eutin is a picturesque location with beautiful natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and long-standing ties to KU and its sister city Lawrence. With a population of 17,000, Eutin provides a safe and well-rounded environment. It is easy to navigate by foot, bike, or bus, while still offering plenty of cultural, historical, and entertainment options. Each summer, the town’s open-air stage hosts both a Blues fest as well as an opera festival that includes students from KU’s School of Music. The lakes and forests surrounding Eutin are home to many outdoor activities such as boating, canoeing, swimming, and hiking. Within the city itself, there are many stores, markets, and sports facilities to explore, in addition to the storied Eutin Castle and gardens.
All students will enroll in two courses for a total of 6-8 KU credits. Enrollment is based on prior German language experience.
Students with no prior knowledge of German will enroll in the following courses for a total of 8 KU credits:
- GERM 108: Beginning German I (5 cr)
- GERM 250: Careers, Culture & Language in Eutin, Germany(3 cr)
Students with prior knowledge of German must have taken two semesters of college-level German or the equivalent and will enroll in the following courses for a total of 6 KU credits:
- GERM 201: Intermediate German I (3 cr)
- GERM 250: Careers, Culture & Language in Eutin, Germany(3 cr)
GERM 104 is designed for the beginner student who has no prior knowledge of German. It familiarizes students with the German language and how to deal with everyday situations during their stay in Eutin. As students develop basic communicative competences in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, they also learn how to navigate daily activities in a German-speaking environment, such as ordering food in a restaurant, shopping at the grocery store/supermarket, getting around in the city, and conducting simple conversations about themselves (e.g., studies, hobbies, and fields of interest).
GERM 201 is the third course in the sequence of KU German courses aimed at developing knowledge of German language and culture and enhancing your speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. It provides a structured language review while also introducing advanced grammar commonly used by native speakers so that students become increasingly proficient at expressing thoughts, feelings, and opinions on a variety of subjects relating to everyday life. Students not only learn how to interpret different spoken and written genres, but also create them as topics and texts discussed in the classroom are connected to real-life situations and experiences with German culture.
GERM 250 is a culture and conversation course designed for beginning speakers who are interested in working in private and public sectors in Germany. Students learn basic techniques and strategies for conversing in German, expand on vocabulary and idiomatic usage, and improve on accuracy in grammar and pronunciation while going on cultural excursions and visiting professional organizations in the host country. By applying newly gained socio-cultural and linguistic knowledge within meetings and practical scenarios, students acquire a well-informed and balanced foundation for future professional and recreational stays in Germany and other international locations.
The language of instruction for all language classes is German. In addition, you are encouraged to use German as much as possible outside of class, including during group meals, excursions, interactions with host families, etc.
During their stay in Eutin, students live with local host families. Host families will provide breakfast each day. During overnight excursions, students will stay in double or triple occupancy hotel rooms. Breakfast will be provided each day.
All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
- Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
- First Generation Students
- Physical and Mental Health Histories
- Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
- Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Students of Color Abroad
- Students with Children
- Students with Financial Need
- Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
- Visible and Invisible Disabilities
This program is open to any student from an accredited U.S. college or university. No German language experience is required. Students that do have prior knowledge of German must have completed two semesters of college-level German or the equivalent. Minimum 2.5 GPA required (exceptions considered 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 $5,000. The scholarship application deadline is March 1. Krehbiel German Language Summer Institute Scholarship Application
For More Information, Contact:
Jenna Hunter-Skidmore
KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement
108 Lippincott Hall
Phone: 785-864-3742
Email: jmhunter@ku.edu