INTRODUCTION The Marburg program is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by The Pennsylvania State University in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Australia, 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 Philipps Universität in Marburg 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; — enable students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region of the world by living and studying abroad and at the same time to 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 Marburg program aims to: — provide the opportunity to study firsthand the social, economic, and political issues and concerns which confront Western Europe, especially Germany; — students to enroll at a German university in courses centrally related to their academic programs; — provide opportunities for interaction with both German professors and students in lectures, laboratories, dormitories, and sporting and social events as an integral part of a German university community; — give students an opportunity to learn on-site the importance of Germany in international affairs today, and to promote an awareness, and an appreciation for, the historical background and rich cultural heritage of Germany with its close linkages to the history and life of the United States. PHILIPPS-UNIVERSITÄT MARBURG The Philipps Universität in Marburg was founded in 1527, shortly after the beginning of the Reformation, by Philipp the Magnanimous. It was the first university in Europe to have a Protestant theological faculty. The university started with 11 professors and 88 students in the buildings of a medieval Dominican monastery, which had become empty due to the reformation. Now there are 15,000 students at the university. Philipps Universität is well known for two particular students, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, (1802-1805,) who decided to collect fairytales that had been passed down from generation to generation of Germans while investigating the roots of the German language. A century later those fairytales were illustrated and bound together in a book that has been read by people throughout the world. The Philipps Universität also has produced nine Nobel prize winners, including Robert Bunsen for the Bunsen burner, and Denis Papin, the inventor of the steam engine. MARBURG AN DER LAHN Built around the winding curve of the Lahn River, the ancient university town of Marburg nestles in a valley surrounded by mountains and forests. Overlooking the city is the castle, once home to the Landgraves of Hesse and now the property of the university. From the castle walls you can see the many university buildings scattered throughout Marburg. With a population of about 70,000, Marburg offers a number of cultural attractions, including the Marburg Theatre, traditional folk and religious festivals and many concert series featuring international artists. The city is rich in history; Marburg’s town hall, the Rathaus, dates back to 1524, and the Elisabethkirche is the earliest, purely Gothic church in Germany. Located in the heart of Germany, Marburg is less than a day’s drive from the North Sea coast, the Alpine Peaks, and the industrial ‘Ruhrgebiet.’ You can take the train from Marburg to any city in Germany, and to most European capitals, within hours. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Penn State’s Exchange Program with the Philipps-Universität Marburg is open to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Penn State. Students enrolled in the Education Abroad Program to Marburg can opt to study in the spring semester or the full academic year at the Philipps Universität. Since there is a month-long intensive German language course preceding the start of the fall semester, it is recommended that students choose the full-year option. Qualified students registering for the academic year (late August through mid-July) enroll full time in regular courses related to their academic fields. In return, students from Philipps-Universität Marburg are able to take Penn State courses that contribute to the fulfillment of their degree requirements at Philipps Universität. The Marburg Program begins with a month-long intensive German language course, concentrating on the refinement of the four basic language skills — listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Since there is no prescribed program of study, Penn State students from a wide variety of majors can select courses related to their field and academic program at Penn State. Participants must, however, enroll in and complete a full-time course of study equal to at least 24 credits and may be permitted to enroll for up to 36 credits. Upon acceptance into the program, students must plan a full-year academic program in consultation with their Penn State adviser and academic advisers at the Philipps Universität. GRADING As with any course at The Pennsylvania State University, responsibility for assessing the student’s academic achievement lies with the course instructors. ACCREDITATION Assignment of Penn State credit for all courses taken at Marburg are worked out and approved in advance in consultation with the student’s academic adviser and the Office of Education Abroad Programs. Participants may choose from a wide variety of courses offered by the Philipps Universität. If participants elect to take a course that has not previously been accredited by Penn State, they must work with the appropriate academic department to ensure proper accreditation. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Penn State students at the Philipps Universität may request dormitory accommodation or seek out their own private accommodations in the city of Marburg. They are fully responsible for their own accommodations and meals; payment is made on-site rather than through Penn State. Lunch will be available to the students in the University Mensa but breakfast and dinner will need to be purchased or prepared in the student’s apartment or dormitory kitchenette. ELIGIBILITY The Marburg program is open all regularly enrolled students at The Pennsylvania State University. Applicants must be in good academic standing, and must show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Generally speaking, a 2.80 cumulative grade point average is the minimum academic standard for this program. Participants must be juniors or seniors during their year or semester in Marburg and have strong German language skills. PROGRAM PREREQUISITES Students are required to prove proficiency in German to satisfy entrance requirements for the Philipps Universität. Participants in the Marburg Program must complete 13 credits of German above GER 03 including: GER 100 German Culture and Civilization, or GER 200 Contemporary German Culture GER 301 Intermediate Conversation and Composition, and GER 302w Intermediate Conversation and Composition II, or GER 401 Advanced Conversation and Composition The following course is highly recommended: GER 310 Introduction to the Study of German Literature It is recommended that students take the month-long intensive German course available at Phillips Universitat at the beginning of September, before the start of the academic year. ORIENTATION A specially designed orientation program, conducted during the semester prior to departure, is intended to prepare participants for the adjustment to living and studying in Germany. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. COSTS Tuition charges for the Marburg program are the same as at 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. Room and board charges are payable to the Philipps Universität depending on the type of accommodation students opt for. The host institution will assist students in acquiring accommodations. Students are also required to pay a $150.00 non-refundable program fee at the time of accepting an offer of enrollment. Round-trip air transportation is an additional cost to the student. Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Textbooks and personal expenses are extra. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost sheet that gives an estimate of overall semester expenses. 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 in which they are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs coordinates closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional costs entailed 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 participants are required to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. In addition, participants are required to enroll in the federal health and accident insurance plan in Germany. There are competent medical doctors and hospitals in Marburg. Personal liability insurance is strongly recommended. PLANNING AHEAD To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their academic advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every Penn State student, regardless of major, not only gains regular Penn State credit while maintaining normal progress toward graduation, but can also apply the credits earned abroad to general education requirements, electives, language requirements, and to major and minor requirements. Like all Penn State’s semester and year-long 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 The Pennsylvania State University 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel. (814) 865-7681