Environmental Sustainability in Germany

• Spend 4 weeks studying environmental policy in Europe.
• Educational excursions to the Bavarian Forest, businesses using sustainable practices, and more.
• Experience first-hand the European approach to sustainable living.
• Scholarships available.
• Applications now open for Summer 2026!

The Environmental Studies of Europe summer program is designed to provide students with first-hand exposure to the environmental issues facing Europe, with a focus on the European Union community and the policies being implemented to address these issues. The program is held in Regensburg, Germany, a university town along the Danube River. Regensburg offers excellent examples of sustainable living: (1) extensive, reliable, and inexpensive public transportation, (2) prevalent use of solar panels, (3) high-profile wind turbines, (4) comprehensive curb-side recycling, and (5) access to extensive open space. Regensburg is also close to the Bavarian Forest. Class field trips explore all of these amenities.

New program location! We are excited to offer the program in partnership with one of KU's strategic international partners, the University of Regensburg in Regensburg, Germany. 

Regensburg is a historic city dating back to the Roman Ages. Its well-preserved old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes walls of a Roman fortress built in 179 AD, an 11th century stone bridge, and a 13th century Gothic cathedral. Today the city has a population of approximately 150,000. While the city has a rich historic feel, it also has a lively, modern vibe in part due to its large population of students. 

Regensburg is situated along the Danube River and offers a host of activities for nature lovers and history buffs alike. It is located in Bavaria, a region in southeast Germany known for its Oktoberfest celebrations, fairytale castles, and the Alps. The city is close to Munich and Nuremberg as well as other European cities such as Vienna and Prague. Regensburg offers an ideal jumping off point for exploring Europe.

Students will stay in single or double occupancy rooms at a local hotel. Breakfast is provided each day. Students will also have access to the university mensa (cafeteria) where they can purchase affordable meals during the day. Some group dinners are included, but most dinners are on your own and a great time to explore local restaurants and cafes. 

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 

Open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from any accredited U.S. college or university. It is recommended that participants will have completed EVRN 148: Principles of Environmental Studies (or equivalent) and ECON 142: Principles of Microeconomics (or equivalent) prior to departure.  Minimum 2.5 GPA required, but exceptions considered after submission of a petition.

Program cost for Environmental Sustainability in Germany

Scholarships

• Students taking the ECON 350 course during the program are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship. You do not have to be an ECON major/minor to be eligible for the scholarship.
• Environmental Studies majors can apply for the Zadigan Scholarship, which awards up to $2,000 for study abroad.
• Students with financial need (a FAFSA on file for the current academic year) can apply for a scholarship through KU Study Abroad here.
• Students with a major in the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) are eligible for the CLAS Study Abroad Scholarship.
• Students in the KU Honors Program may apply for an Honors Opportunity Award.
• Pell Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship, a nationally competitive scholarship for Pell Grant recipients. Additional scholarships awarded for students studying in Germany. Contact KU Study Abroad for more information.
• Visit the KU Study Abroad Costs & Funding page for additional information. 

Dietrich Earnhart is a Professor in the Department of Economics and is affiliated with the Environmental Studies Program, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, and the Center for Latin American Studies.  In addition, he serves as the director of the Center for Environmental Policy within the Institute for Policy and Social Research (IPSR).  He has previously taught study abroad courses in Germany, Costa Rica, and Italy and frequently teaches two levels of environmental economic courses on campus in Lawrence.

For More Information, Contact:

Dietrich Earnhart
Department of Economics
435 Snow Hall
phone: 785-864-2866
e-mail: earnhart@ku.edu