The Media in Germany

May term 2012

Tentative dates: May 15 – June 3

"Well that was an experience and a half. Truly the best time of my life. I love Germany, and can't wait to go back." – Kyle McCord on Facebook

UPDATE: As of February 6, a few spots remain open in this program. The language requirement of 1 year of German has been removed. Now open to all students interested in the media. Please contact laura.mcgee@wku.edu right away if you are interested!

FAST FACTS

Faculty: Dr. Laura McGee (German) and Dr. Jo-Anne Ryan (Journalism/Broadcasting)

Prerequisites: An interest in the media

Credits: 3 credits of German 211 (Intermediate) or German 306 (Advanced) or Journalism/BCOM 481

Locations: Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Bonn (this list is tentative)

Highlights: Site visits to TV and radio stations, newspapers, federal press office, journalism schools, individualized site visit, home stay with a family, excellent food, learn to travel like Europeans do

Included: Flight, all accommodations, all entry fees, all tours, 2 meals a day, all transportation

Not included: ISIC Card, insurance, 1 meal a day and spending money (souvenirs, snacks)

Costs: Last year's program cost $2500 + $150 tuition for 3 credits. This year expected to be similar.

Scholarships: Worldtopper past average award: $500; Honors past average award: $500; Modern Languages Departmental average award: $500 – you may qualify for 1, 2, or all 3 of these!

Applications: Contact laura.mcgee@wku.edu.

"Like" the Facebook page "WKU in Germany Study Abroad Fan Page" to get updates

Why German? Why Germany? Can you guess the meaning of these German words: Bier, Wasser, Haar, Nase, Papier? Maybe you have heard of these: Angst, Gestalt, Weltschmerz, Wanderlust? Over 100 million people speak German. Formerly the locus of Cold War division, Germany is now at the center of a growing European Union with 27 member states. Germany's capital city of Berlin is located at the crossroads of travel from Paris to Warsaw, and Stockholm to Rome. It is the center of the European Union, a growing force in the world economy. Germany is a fascinating place for students from a variety of disciplines to study the media in intercultural comparison and gain international experiences that broaden their horizons.

What will you learn? The 2012 program will examine the media in Germany. The 19-day program includes an introduction to German culture, a home stay with a German host family, and intercultural comparisons of the media through visits to German newspapers, television stations, conversations with media specialists, government officials, journalists at the Federal Press Office, and with international correspondents reporting from Berlin. A basic knowledge of German is required to participate (completion of German 102 or higher).

An early study abroad experience provides important professional development. Students who have participated in this program will be better prepared for career-building experiences such as the Fulbright Beginning Professional Journalism Awards, or the DAAD Summer Internship Program in Berlin for American Students of Journalism, or a Fulbright Research Scholarship on a topic having to do with Germany today. International experience is valuable no matter what your future holds. Read more at: Fulbright & DAAD 

"During my stay with my host brother Christian and his family I learned one very important thing: no matter where you go in this world you will find some good people. I knew deep down before my trip that people in other countries had to be similar to one another, but seeing it firsthand made me fully aware of the kinsmanship of the human family." – Jarred Grider.