INTRODUCTION The Cologne program, initiated in 1962, is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by Penn State in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin American, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. OBJECTIVES The Penn State Education Abroad program at The University of Cologne, Germany, functions within the context of the objectives characterizing all of Penn State's study abroad opportunities, especially to: -- enable students to receive instruction in several disciplines within the context of another culture and to enrich their general academic studies; -- provide adequate professional training when a study abroad experience is especially desirable, and to add to the intellectual and professional development of students in specialized fields of study; -- allow students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region of the world by living and studying abroad, as well as gain a more objective perspective of the values and way of life in their own country; -- promote the educational goals of the university by providing an overseas program designed to increase the international understanding of students. Specifically, the Cologne program aims to: -- increase students' understanding of international business operations and international marketing; -- enable students to compare various economic systems from a foreign perspective; -- provide students the opportunity to study the business and economic issues confronting present-day Europe, especially Germany; -- enhance the German language proficiency of participating students; THE UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE The University of Cologne, founded in 1388, is a widely recognized public institution of higher education in Germany with an enrollment of approximately 50,000 students. The major academic fields available at the University of Cologne include Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Chemistry, Dentistry, Drama, Economics, Geography, Geology, History, law, Literature, Mathematics, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, and Teacher Education. It offers the full range of academic degrees available in Germany, including the Diplom, Magister Artium, Staatsexamen, and Doktor. COLOGNE The city of Cologne, founded in 38 B.C. by Agrippa, was a Roman outpost and colony until the fall of the Roman Empire. It came under Frankish control in the 5th century A.D., attained self-governing authority in 1288, and became a free Imperial city in 1475. Virtually destroyed by Allied bombing during the Second World War, the city has been totally rebuilt and currently accommodates almost a million inhabitants. It enjoys an excellent transportation network, with motorways entering the city from ten different directions and an international airport shared with the capital city of Bonn. Its location on the Rhine River makes it a convenient shipping center, and it has the distinction of possessing Germany's busiest railway junction. It is a banking and insurance center, as well as a manufacturing center for automobiles, heavy machinery, chemicals, textiles and printed materials, and, of course, the famous beer Kolsch and eau de cologne. The focal point of the city is its famous cathedral, the Kolner Dom, the only building that was relatively unscathed during the Allied bombing. The cathedral's foundation was laid in 1248 and construction was completed in the year 1880; it is the repository of relics of the Wise Men of the East as well as paintings by Stephen Lochner. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed a great deal about the city's Roman heritage; many of its ancient Roman ruins have been restored and are now on exhibit in the Romish-Germanisches Museum, another of the city's many cultural attractions. Cologne is also famous for its pedestrian shopping mall (the Hohestrasse/Schildergasse)--block after block of some of the most affluent shops and boutiques in Germany. The German economic miracle of the last 35 years is clearly reflected in the city's commercial prosperity and its continued growth. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Penn State program in Cologne, with its academic focus on business administration, is conducted at the University of Cologne. Established initially in 1962 as a general studies program with courses in the humanities and the social sciences, the program in Cologne now focuses on courses designed to fulfill the needs of students majoring in areas related to international business. Participants in the program enroll for 15 credits during the Spring semester in specially-designed courses taught by regular faculty members from the University of Cologne. The academic program consists of a 6-credit course in German language and culture (either elementary or advanced level depending on previous language study) and three 3-credit courses in business administration and economics. The first five weeks of the program are devoted exclusively to refining the students' language abilities, with classes meeting three hours per day, five days per week; this German course then continues at a less intensive pace with the focus shifting from language to current German political and social issues. The course is intended not only to give the students a greater command of the German language but also to familiarize them with the political and social setting for the business issues that they discuss in the three other courses. The three business-related courses--Basic International Business Concepts (BA 297), International Business Operations (BA 499), and Comparative Economic Systems (ECON 370)--are then conducted during the remainder of the semester, usually from early March through the end of June. Students planning on studying on this program during their final semester please note the dates of the Cologne program continue through the END OF JUNE. Students register for and complete a total of 15 credits as follows: GER 199 & GER 299 German Language & Culture 6 credits (elementary level) or GER 399 & GER 499 German Language & Culture 6 credits (intermediate level) BA 297 (Basic International Business Concepts) 3 credits BA 499 (International Business Operations) 3 credits ECON 370 (Comparative Economic Systems) 3 credits 15 credits The courses are specially-designed to meet the accreditation requirements of Penn State's academic departments, and they are taught in special classes offered exclusively for Penn State students. Except for the German language training, all instruction is provided in English. GRADING As with any course at Penn State, responsibility for assessing the student's academic achievement lies with the course instructors. ACCREDITATION All five courses offered in the Penn State Education Abroad Program in Cologne are accredited under the course numbers indicated, as listed in the Penn State Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin. No transfer of credit is necessary since the student remains registered at Penn State while enrolled in the Cologne program. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Because of the housing shortages in Germany, students are housed in a variety of accommodations: in dormitories, with host families, and sometimes in flats. The on-site coordinator in Cologne is responsible for making the living arrangements and assigning students to their accommodations. The University of Cologne does not have dining halls like those at University Park. Students are able to purchase their meals in the university cafeteria (Mensa) or in a variety of local eating establishments. A daily food allowance is distributed on a bi-weekly basis to participants in the Penn State program for this purpose. ELIGIBILITY The Cologne program is open to all regularly enrolled students at Penn State, although the academic orientation makes it especially appealing to students majoring in some are of Business Administration.. Applicants must be in good academic standing, show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Generally speaking, a 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average is the minimum academic standard for most programs. Students are generally in their junior or senior year during their semester abroad. PROGRAM PREREQUISITES Students must complete, prior to departure, the following course prerequisites: ECON 02 ECON 04 MSIS 200 ACCTG 211 GER 01 GER 02 ORIENTATION A specially-designed orientation program, conducted the semester before departure, is intended to prepare participants for the adjustment to living and studying in Germany. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. COSTS Tuition and room and board fees for the Cologne program are the same as the University Park Campus and are payable at the Bursar's Office in accordance with the standard procedures and deadlines for regular charges at University Park Campus. Students are also required to pay a $150 nonrefundable program fee at the time of accepting an enrollment offer. Round-trip air transportation is an additional cost to the students. Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Textbooks and personal expenses are extra. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost-estimate-sheet detailing the overall expenses for each semester. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State, financial aid packages continue during the time students are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs works closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional cost incurred by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest grant-in-aid fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. HEALTH INSURANCE All students are required to enroll in the federal health and accident insurance plan at the University of Cologne. There are competent medical doctors and hospital facilities in Cologne. Personal liability insurance is strongly recommended. PLANNING AHEAD To exploit the many advantages and benefits of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their faculty advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every program participant, regardless of major, not only gains regular Penn State credit, but can often apply the credits earned abroad to General Education, elective, language, and/or, to major or minor requirements. Like all Penn State's semester and academic-year Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University's cultural diversity requirement. As part of the application process, students are required to check with their advisers or deans to discuss what impact study abroad may have on their progress toward graduation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS, CONTACT YOUR CAMPUS EDUCATION ABROAD ADVISER OR: Office of Education Abroad Programs 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel: (814) 865-7681 The Pennsylvania State university is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability, or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175. The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Employee Benefits Division at (814) 865-1473 in advance of your participation or visit. U.Ed. OIP 96-31 PS6054dh 4/96