Germany, the geographic and cultural "heart of Europe," is renowned for its stunning artistic accomplishments and rich history. With its technological achievements, powerful economy and a diverse and esteemed higher education system, Germany offers study abroad opportunities for students of all levels and disciplines.

Germany is also one of the few countries to have a national agency dedicated to providing support to students from around the world. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a primary source of information on studying in Germany, and sponsors hundreds of U.S. and Canadian students and academics each year for study and research - from undergraduates to advanced faculty.

Germany's institutions have a long tradition of excellence in the sciences, engineering, music, arts and philosophy. The German government has recently reaffirmed this tradition through the Excellence Initiative, a major funding project that aims to strengthen science and research in Germany in the long-term, improve its international competitiveness and raise the profile of the top performers in academia and research.

The German educational system is rooted in the ideal of a unified approach to higher education, and many programs integrate research, teaching, internships and practical training. With approximately 300 higher education institutions and 220 universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), and many new courses taught entirely or partially in English, Germany is increasingly accessible to students from countries throughout the world. It is no wonder that more than 12 percent of students in Germany are international - and that it's the third most popular destination for international students worldwide.

Students of the arts and humanities can take advantage of Germany's rich cultural and artistic heritage, and immerse themselves in the environment that gave birth to some of the world's greatest thinkers and artists. Germany was home to an impressive list of musicians including Bach, Handel, Beethoven and Wagner. Germany is also famous for its thinkers and writers, including authors such as Kafka, Goethe, Brecht and the Brothers Grimm. Famous philosophers include Kant, Leibniz, Hegel and Nietzsche, as well as Marx and Engels, the authors of the Communist Manifesto.

Students can study in a variety of settings, from scenic Alpine towns to modern cities like Berlin and Hamburg. One traditional university town is Tübingen, whose Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen has consistently offered top-notch programs in the fields of German language and culture studies. More than a quarter of its 85,000 inhabitants are students, and it is often called the town of books as it has more bookstores per capita than any other place in Germany.

Regensburg, located at the northern bend of the Danube River, suffered little damage in World War II and is considered Germany's best-preserved medieval city. It is also a major university town, and the University of Regensburg has a highly respected research profile. Key fields of study include physics, bioscience, biotechnology, chemistry, medicine, philology, history and geography.

On the Rhine River in western Germany you'll find the beautiful university towns of Bonn and Cologne. Bonn is noted for its large number of museums covering a broad range of subjects, including the sciences, politics, archaeology, history and the arts. A popular place for students to congregate is the famous Hofgarten Park, an ideal location to study or simply relax.

Cologne, Germany's oldest city, is the hub of Germany's art scene and home to such contemporary artists as Gerhard Richter and the "banana sprayer" Thomas Baumgärtel. The Museum Ludwig, established in 1976, houses an outstanding collection of contemporary and modern art. On "premiere days," Cologne's 70-plus galleries and art centers simultaneously open new exhibitions.

Within easy driving distance of the Alps and the Mediterranean, Munich is a very popular study abroad destination. Severely damaged during World War II, it was brilliantly restored and boasts a cultural scene that is second to none. Munich's museums are considered to be some of the best in Germany. The Schwabing/Maxvorstadt (University Area) is the trendy academic district, filled with coffee shops and international restaurants.

Heidelberg, considered one of Germany's most romantic and beautiful cities, is home to Germany's oldest university, and the location of many prominent research institutions, including the German Cancer Research Center, four Max Planck Institutes and the research centers of IBM and NEC. Its progressive science and research activities, open-mindedness and internationalism have earned this historic city on the Neckar twinning relationships with universities throughout the world.

Situated in Breisgau near France and Switzerland, Freiburg is known for its pleasant climate, extensive vineyards, university atmosphere and proximity to the beautiful and mysterious black forest. Among the city's major sights are the impressive cathedral (Münster unserer lieben Frau), a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and the Gothic Haus zum Whalfisch (House of the Whale), the residence of the Renaissance philosopher Erasmus von Rotterdam.

After 40 years of separation that left a deep cultural, social and economic divide, a reunited Germany has emerged as the continent's largest economy and a key player in the European Union. Germany provides an extensive range of study abroad opportunities within an inspiring environment. Adventurous students of all fields of study will find the academic challenges exhilarating!

Resources -

IIEPassport.org: www.IIEPassport.org
Study in Germany: Germany.IIEPassport.org
Study Abroad Funding: www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): www.daad.org/
Higher Education Compass: www.higher-education-compass.de/
How To Germany: www.howtogermany.com