Germany

International Relations & The E.U.

Travel through Germany and visit Belgium and Luxembourg as you learn about international politics and gain fascinating insights into the European Union.

  • Language

  • Leadership

  • Peace, Politics, & Human Rights

WHY STUDY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN GERMANY?

As you travel throughout Germany and across national borders, you will spend time in cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Bonn, Munich, and Schengen, Luxembourg. Your Experiment begins with a group orientation in Frankfurt, a global hub for commerce, culture, education, and more, where you will begin taking German language classes.

During your homestay, you will have the opportunity to share in German daily life and attend school with German students to experience local high school culture.

At the ‘border triangle’ of Germany, France and Luxembourg, visit Schengen, Luxembourg, where the Schengen Agreement was signed. Through interactive activities at the European Museum, learn about the significance of the Schengen Agreement. Then continue to Brussels, Belgium, the seat of the Nobel Peace Prize–winning European Union (E.U.), where you will visit the European Commission and explore the E.U.’s institutional structure. Return to Germany to visit the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne, where you will see the awe-inspiring Kölner Dom, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the United Nations in Bonn.

Your program will wrap up in Berlin, Germany’s capital and bustling cultural center. You will begin with a tour of the city’s important sites, including the Bundestag (Germany’s parliament). You’ll also attend workshops on the structure of the E.U., including competencies, tasks, and stakeholders, and a seminar on European asylum politics to learn about the current refugee situation on the continent.

LEARN BY DOING

The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Germany, you will learn:

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • German language

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  • Intercultural communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Relationship-building

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • There is a lot of travel throughout the region requiring 2- to 5-hour train/bus trips. Be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs and to lift it into overhead storage compartments.
  • Cities are increasingly vegetarian/vegan-friendly.
  • Students will have many opportunities to engage with community leaders and local experts to learn about international relations and global diplomacy. These meetings may require a certain dress code based on specific site visits. More details will be included in the packing list.
  • Access to the internet is limited and internet speeds and connectivity vary.
  • The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. Please read our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for further information. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.
  • The Experiment program structure is rooted in experiential learning and cohort-based learning. The participant group experience is a major source of learning for Experimenters and is facilitated by trained Experiment group leaders.

AT A GLANCE

Program Availability

Filling Fast

Program Date

Jul 1 - Jul 30

Prerequisite

None

Program Fee*

$7,455.00

(does not include airfare)
Group Airfare Cost

$1,820.00

Departure City

New York, NY

*Program fees may increase by
$500 -$1000 to account for changes
to lodging accommodations.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • All program activities
  • In-country transportation
  • Health insurance
  • Experienced group leaders

Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.

The planned activities and homestay provide for better immersion, which facilities the language learning process. I am incredibly grateful that I received the opportunity to further my academic interests, see more of the world, and meet amazing new friends through The Experiment's Germany program!

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.

View Itinerary Details

Days 1-3

Orientation in Frankfurt

  • Learn about the history, culture, and environment of Germany from experts.
  • Get to know other members of your group during activities.
  • Begin your German language instruction.

During the orientation period, you and your group will stay at a centrally located youth guest house in Frankfurt.

Days 4-11

Homestay

  • Become immersed in the daily lives of a German family and community during your homestay with a local family.
  • Engage in a variety of activities with your host family to learn about their culture, as well as share yours.
  • Join your host siblings for a day at their school and witness a typical day of local youth.
  • Share a session about American youth culture with your host schoolmates.

During this period, you will stay in the home of a family.

Days 12-20

Thematic Focus in Cologne, Brussels, Belgium, and Schengen, Luxembourg

  • Visit the Europe Museum in Schengen, Luxembourg.
  • Go on a guided tour of Brussels, the “capital of the European Union,” explore the city center, and learn about the European Union by visiting the European Commission.
  • Explore the city of Cologne and see the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the United Nations in Bonn.
  • Attend workshops on how European youth incorporate the European philosophy of collaboration by promoting an active culture of international exchanges.

During this period, you and your group will stay at a centrally located youth guest house in Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, and Cologne.

Days 21-27

Thematic Focus in Berlin

  • Attend lectures on Germany’s influence in Europe, how the EU works, the tasks of different EU institutions, and the diversity of cultures within the EU.
  • Enjoy an activities and team-building day and complete a high ropes course.
  • Learn about current issues in the EU through workshops on the refugee situation in Europe and a historical and current look at asylum.
  • Visit the German Bundestag and learn about local German politics while continuing to look at international relations and the European Union.
  • Tour the Berlin street art scene and take a workshop with a local artist.
  • Explore museums and local markets, and visit important sites throughout the city. Take a walking tour of Berlin seen through the eyes of a refugee.
  • Engage in service projects that help connect you to the community. Past sample projects have included volunteering at an intercultural urban gardening initiative that brings together people from all over the world living in Berlin.
  • Meet and engage with local youth and young professionals.

During this period, you and your group will stay at a centrally located youth guest house in Berlin.

Day 28

Reflection and Wrap-up in Berlin

  • Reflect with your group on your experiences during the program.
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.

During this period, you and your group will stay at a centrally located youth guest house in Berlin.

Day 29

Departure

Past Group Leader

The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.

Kimberly James

Kimberly caught the travel bug in high school when she first traveled to Europe for a mission trip in Germany. Upon graduating from high school, Kimberly was awarded a scholarship from the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange to live and work in Germany for a year. During that year, Kimberly discovered her passion for cross-cultural exchange while working at an after-school program for German youth. She then went on to attend Long Island University’s Global College Program, which allowed her to study abroad throughout Asia and Europe for 2.5 years. Kimberly received a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a concentration in intercultural education. For the past 10+ years, Kimberly has implemented student leadership programs both locally and around the world and she enjoys teaching students about social issues, service learning, and global citizenship. Kimberly has led three groups with The Experiment including Germany and Ireland. When traveling, one of Kimberly’s favorite things is exploring delicious foods from around the world.

Program experts

The Experiment's programs are led by accomplished and experienced faculty and staff who typically live in the country of study. Program leaders are responsible for instructional content, classroom and field experiences, and daily program operations.

Eva Kirch

Eva Kirch works as program manager with The Experiment in Germany. For more than 15 years, she has been responsible for planning and organizing intercultural programs for international groups and individuals.

Previously, she worked for tour operators and for the University of Bonn, Germany.

Eva holds degrees in English and tourism management and loves helping young people from other countries learn about Germany.