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: Summer 2025
- 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.
2025 program itinerary coming soon!
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. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities 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.
Considerations for Germany
Germany has laws in place to protect ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, the differently abled, and other groups. Same-sex marriage is available in Germany and most large city governments officially encourage and host LGBTQIA+ pride events.
Germany’s cities and public transportation are generally accessible to individuals with disabilities. Older sections of the cities and smaller towns may be less accessible due to centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and small indoor spaces. Germany offers services for people who are mobility, sight, or hearing impaired.
Source: U.S. Department of State country information pages and Diversity Abroad.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
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).
Patrick Ploschnitzki, Assistant Teaching Professor of German
A native of Northern Germany, Patrick Ploschnitzki is an Assistant Teaching Professor of German at KU’s Department of Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies. He holds a dual-degree PhD in Transcultural German Studies from the Universities of Arizona and Leipzig, and a Master’s degree in German Studies with a minor in Translation Studies from the University of Arizona. Previous employers include the University of Rhode Island’s German Section and Middlebury College’s German School, where Patrick served as a 7-week summer program instructor and assistant. His research investigates sociocultural discourses around dubbing (i.e., lip-synchronized audiovisual translation) and dubbese related to US-American television translated for broadcast in German-speaking countries. Other research interests include the use of online translation tools in the language classroom, as well as connections between popular media and literary traditions, such as redefined Heimat imagery in contemporary punk and rap lyrics.
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:
Patrick Ploschnitzki
Department of German Studies
Wescoe Hall
Department of German Studies website
Email: plos@ku.edu
Jenna Hunter-Skidmore
KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement
108 Lippincott Hall
Phone: 785-864-3742
Email: jmhunter@ku.edu