March 5–11, 2017

Program Description

This 7-day spring break trip is offered as an extension of GERMAN 201 “Conversation and Composition,” enabling the students to take their studies “on the road” for a real-life experience of living and functioning in an entirely German speaking context. The language of the trip is German, as is the language for all assignments required for successful completion of this course. While in Austria, students will have the opportunity to learn about the city of Vienna - its history, culture, and its role in today’s world, — as well as experiencing the academic life at the University of Applied Sciences in St. Poelten (FHSTP).

Course Description

  • Enroll in the GER 197 course
  • Contact program leaders for a syllabus for course details
  • Attend
    • 3 pre-departure meetings
    • all program components, including trips, presentations, classes, visits to important sights, as well as social gatherings with FHSTP students.
  • Write
    • a pre-departure research paper on the city of Vienna
    • a daily journal related to the topic of the day.
    • a final essay reflecting on a critical aspect of Austrian culture or history
  • Participate fully in all discussions

Program Costs

$2300- includes:

  • Round trip airfare from/to Washington/Dulles and Vienna
  • 7 nights of hotel stays in Vienna & St. Poelten
  • In-country transportation
  • Breakfast Daily, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Visits to the following sites:
    • St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Catacombs
    • Ringstrasse
  • Walking tours of:
    • Historic Inner City of Vienna
    • Jewish Vienna
    • Red Vienna
  • Guided tours of
    • Schoenbrunn Castle
    • Vienna City Museum
    • Parliament
    • Melk Abbey
    • United Nations Headquarters
  • Two-day stay at University of Applied Sciences in St. Poelten: Lectures, classes, presentations, meetings with Austrian and international students

$187
Round trip bus from/to Penn State Altoona and Washington/Dulles International airport.

$10
Required International Insurance

$2497 Tentative Program Costs
Subject to change due to exchange rates, fuel surcharges for flights, and number of participants

Other Expenses

  • $135-Passport
  • $500-Estimate Personal Expenses
    Some examples: some lunches and dinners not included in the itinerary and souvenirs

Prerequisite Courses

GER 003 (SP16/FA16)

Academic Requirements

Minimum 2.5 GPA

Completed Intermediate German 003 or higher level and prior participation on tele-collaborated activities with FHSTP.

Application and Deposit Deadline

Apply online.

Submit your application by December 19, 2016

*NOTE: Your judicial and academic records will be checked as a part of the application process.

Student Bursar account will be charged a $500 deposit to hold your place in this program upon your acceptance.

Student will be emailed prior to their account being charged.

Program Leaders

This program will be led by Dr. Jutta Gsoels-Lorensen and Anja Wagner.

Dr. Lorensen is originally from Austria but has lived in the U.S. for a number of years. Dr. Lorensen primarily teaches German at Penn State Altoona in addition to English and Comparative Literature. She has published articles in the field of German studies and Comparative Literature and presented a number of papers on German literature, history and culture at national and international conferences.

Anja Wagner is a native of Fulda, Germany and holds a M.Ed. in Education with emphasis on Early Intervention and an Infant Mental Health Certificate from Chatham University. Ms. Wagner has been teaching German at the elementary level since 2003 and at Penn State Altoona since 2010. In addition to teaching German, she is a part-time instructor for the Human Development and Family Studies Department.

Dr. Jutta Gsoels-Lorensen
Associate Professor of German, English, and Comparative Literature
[email protected]
814-949-5512

Anja Wagner
Lecturer in German and Human Development & Family Studies
[email protected]
814-949-5300 ext. 6285