Program Overview
Program Overview
The landscape of Germany is as diverse as its customs and dialects. Make one unique corner of the country your own by studying abroad in high school with CIEE.
Picture navigating the intricacies of chemistry taught in German at the local high school. Joining your classmates for a pick-up game of football after a long day of classes. Getting to know your host family over a hearty welcome dinner of goulasch, bratwurst, and strudel.
Regardless of where you’re placed—whether it’s in a sprawling urban center or the Alpine foothills—you’ll develop your German language skills through both coursework and conversations with the locals. You’ll immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of one of Europe’s most fascinating countries, and build independence and life skills that you can drawn on for the rest of your life.
The CIEE Difference
The CIEE Difference
Academic Program
An advanced school system and excellent facilities await you in Germany. Five days a week you’ll enroll in challenging classes at a gymnasium (public high school) alongside your German peers. Though all classes are taught in German, many people in Germany speak English which can help ease your transition.
Subjects typically include German, math, natural and social sciences, history, arts, and athletics.
Have less than two years of German language study under your belt or just want to improve your language skills? You can take a two-and-a-half or three-and-a-half-week beginner or intermediate language course* in Frankfurt or Wiesbaden prior to orientation. For 20 to 24 hours a week you’ll practice speaking the German language—you’ll be proficient before you know it!
*at additional expense
Cultural Immersion
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in another culture than by living with a local family. Not only will your German host family provide you with daily meals and a place to stay, they’ll introduce you to local customs, and offer support and guidance in an unfamiliar environment.
Our host families are as diverse as our high school study abroad students. Whomever you’re placed with, all host families are carefully screened and matched with you based on personality profiles and common interests. Through your host family, you’ll build a home away from home and develop relationships that endure long after you’ve finished your high school study abroad program.
Dates, Deadlines & Fees
Dates, Deadlines & Fees
We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.
- International airfare between U.S. departure city and Germany
- Transportation to and from a local German airport
- Placement in a German high school
- Careful selection and screening of a compatible German family
- Room and board with selected host family
- Supervision and support of a local coordinator
- Periodic progress reports
- Orientation prior to leaving the U.S. and upon arrival in Germany
- International medical insurance through iNext and 24-hour worldwide travel assistance and support
Application Due
Start Date
End Date
Cost
Semester (Aug. - Jan)
March 15, 2014*
August
January
$9,500
Academic Year (Aug. - Jul.)
March 15, 2014*
July
January
$11,250
Semester (Jan. - July)
August 15, 2013
January
July
$9,500
*Early applications are due January 1, 2014. Apply early and save $250 off your program fees!
** Early applications due July 1, 2013
Prices are subject to change and will be locked in for the participant on the day CIEE receives the completed application and program deposit.
Eligibility
Eligibility
At the time of departure, students must:
- Be between the ages of 15 and 18 years old (students can turn 19 while on the program)
- Be a current high school student with a GPA of 2.5
- Have enough German language proficiency to attend a German high school; two years preferable
- Demonstrate, through the application process, their flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture
CIEE Support
CIEE Support
Our receiving organization in Germany is responsible for your placement and support during your time in country.
This organization is responsible for recruiting, screening, and placing you with your host family and in your local high school. Upon arrival, you’ll be assigned a local coordinator who will provide support and complete supervision throughout your stay in Germany.
CIEE Orientation
CIEE Orientation
All high school study abroad students take part in an online pre-departure orientation that introduces them to aspects of living abroad in their host country and to other high school students studying on the program. The orientation helps students and parents set realistic expectations and goals and understand the support system. CIEE staff will offer advice on adjusting to a new culture and will facilitate a Q&A forum.
When possible, CIEE will make every effort to allow students to travel to their host country on the same flight as each other. For larger groups, a CIEE staff member will most likely travel with the group.
An in-country orientation offers the perfect start to your high school study abroad adventure. For five days in either Frankfurt or Weisbaden, you’ll receive an introduction to local customs and culture, get a jump on your mastery of the German language, and even do a little sightseeing—all before heading to your host family and starting classes.
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