Hessen International Summer Universities

The Hessen:ISU program is designed for students as well as for people working in the fields of politics, economics, engineering, law, culture, technology and media, who want to learn more about the German and European dimension of their respective subject and learn the German language or refresh their German by participating in an intensive language course. Depending on their language abilities, they can choose from different offers.

Study Program

Although all Hessen:ISUs have a common structure (study program, language courses, cultural program, credits), the content of the study program varies according to the profile of each university.

Faculty

Hessen:ISU faculty consists of experts from the participating Hessen universities and their international partners with expertise in their respective fields. Therefore, we can guarantee the high quality of our study program in German as well as in English.

The German language courses will be taught by experienced teachers, who are specially qualified in teaching German as a foreign language.

Hessen:ISU classes will be taught in English and/or German.

Furthermore, the programs offer the opportunity of gaining German language skills in addition to the study program. Studying German in Germany and practicing these skills in everyday life is a very effective way to improve one's German. Hessen:ISUs offer German language classes at different levels.

Participants

• with no or only basic German language skills can complete a study program with seminars in English and take part in a German language class for beginners.
• with good German language skills can pick subject-specific seminars in German and an advanced language course.
• will be assigned to the level that best fits your competence.

Hessen:ISU participants are usually very appreciative of the friendly and relaxed atmosphere in the language courses. Studying in small groups contributes to a very intensive setting for learning the foreign language.

The international nature of the programs is accentuated by awarding credits upon successful completion of the courses. The credits are based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) which is applied by European institutions of higher education in order to facilitate the transfer of credits gained in certain study periods from one institution to another.

For each seminar as well as for the German language course, the participants receive 3 credits. Thus, after studying in Germany for four weeks, you have not only spent an exciting time in Germany, but have also earned credits that will transfer home and can contribute to your academic career at your home university.

Aside from the study program and language courses, there will be enough room for personal experiences, to get to know our state and, of course, to relax. All ISUs offer exciting excursions so that you will have the opportunity to see more of Hessen and Germany and to get to know the people, the cultural heritage and the beautiful landscape of this state.

In addition, going out in the evening to bars and cafés or going to the movies offers a good opportunity for practicing the language in an authentic setting! It is essential for the program that the participants come from various regions of the world. Through intercultural communication, all participants can learn a great deal about various cultures while improving their German language skills.

You will find current information about the program fee and costs on the websites of the different programs. The program fee includes the basic offer of seminars in the study program, workshops, the German language course, excursions, accommodation (in some cases also meals), health insurance and study materials. Additional costs may arise through tickets for public transportation or a security deposit for keys. The local program coordinators will be happy to provide you with further information.

At the ISU, you are more than just a number. A highly motivated team will take good care of you. Naturally you will be assisted with organizational questions as well as social matters. Reliable academic counseling during the ISU and advice about possible study opportunities in Hessen will also be available.

The intensive guidance ensures that your expectations will be met and that individual requests can be taken into consideration. The ISU team is accessible on a daily basis so that nobody will feel alone if there is a problem.

Depending on the individual program, you will be accommodated in dormitories or host families that have been carefully selected by the ISU team.

Hessen:ISUs see themselves as academic and social networks. Aside from students, post-graduates, teachers, and researchers use the programs for exchanging ideas. In some cases, German and international faculty members even offer seminars together so that you can become acquainted with different viewpoints on certain issues.

Furthermore, the networking of the participating universities in Hessen plays a vital role, as only good cooperation can guarantee the success of this program.

Our program aims to motivate you to spend a longer period of time in Hessen and to perhaps continue your studies here or return to Hessen for your post-graduate studies. You can also decide to do an internship in one of the universities, various institutions, or in private enterprises after the end of the Hessen:ISU. In ideal cases, the program can even become an international internship or job market.

The Hessen:ISU Program has been initiated and is still supported by the Hessen State Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts.