IES-European Union: Politics, Law and Economics
Program Details
Program Location |
Freiburg, Germany
|
Sponsor |
IES |
Program Type |
Co-sponsored |
Course # |
SA 33010
|
Duration |
Semester or 2 Semesters
|
Upcoming Program Dates |
Spring 2025 |
01/13/25 to 05/10/25
|
Current Program Dates |
Fall 2024 |
08/25/24 to
12/14/24 |
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice
Overview
The one semester European Union program is designed primarily for economics, political science, international relations, and business majors.
Freiburg will be your home base. Nestled at the foot of the Black Forest, it’s in this beautiful, small university town that you’ll take English-taught courses in disciplines like Political Science, International Relations, Economics, and Business. As part of the program’s required Integrative Seminar, you travel for approximately 22 days to gain exposure to the European Union and beyond. Not only will these course-related trips give you better insight into the strengths and challenges of the European Union, they will also give you the experience you need to build your résumé, and to prepare you for an international career. As you visit each new country, you develop an understanding of the European Union, its history, and its institutions.
Europe will be your classroom. Imagine visiting the European Parliament and discussing current social and political issues with EU officials, or meeting with leaders of multinational corporations to learn about international trade.
You also engage in a Model European Union, where you assume the role of a head of state or foreign minister of an EU country to analyze and debate issues of current concern in Europe, such as migration and immigration, security and foreign affairs, U.S.-EU relations, relations with Russia, the euro currency’s troubled relationship with member countries, Brexit, and more. The Model EU concludes the Integrative Seminar, and is the capstone of the program. After the spring semester, you can also add international work experience to your résumé by participating in a for-credit internship placement in Freiburg or Brussels, with the accompanying internship seminar.
The IES Center is located in the university area near the center of the city. Freiburg im Breisgau, located in southwestern Germany near the French and Swiss borders, is a picturesque cathedral and university city on the edge of the Black Forest. It is renowned for its hospitality, its distinctive medieval architecture, and the natural beauty of its countryside. Inside the 13th century city gates, the famous Gothic Freiburger Münster dominates the city center.
For more program information, please visit the
program website.
This program is sponsored by:
IES.
Eligibility
Field Study in Paris
Applications are open to students of all majors. Any Purdue University student is eligible if s/he has reached at least sophomore standing by the start of the program. Background courses in micro and macro economics, modern history, or comparative government are helpful, but not required.
GPA Requirement:
2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none
Purdue Credit
Direct Credit
available from the following:
[
College of Liberal Arts] [
Daniels School of Business]
Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.
Academic Program
You will take classes at the IES Study Center in Freiburg, and will enroll in 5 courses for a total of 16-20 credits.
All students will take the required Integrative Studies Seminar, and then choose the remainder of their courses from the available offerings. As part of your overall program participation, you will take a required one-week intensive German language course during orientation. You may continue strengthening your language skills by continuing in an optional, 4-credit semester-long German language course.
Students with advanced German have the opportunity to take a class taught in German, but the majority of the courses are taught in English.
For course offerings and more information, please click here.
Internships are available as an add-on after the spring semester; please see the IES website for more information.
Please note that 200-level courses run in parallel time slots with 400-level courses within each concentration (economics, politics, and business) and therefore cannot accommodate simultaneous registration.
Excursions
Due to COVID-19, excursions are subject to change.
This program includes approximately 22 days of travel on course-related field-trips to various regions within the EU. The cost of these trips is included in the program fee. Please see the IES website for more details.
In addition, optional IES day trips take you to other great destinations to provide contrast and context for what you are learning and experiencing in your new home. Examples of trips include excursions to the Hohenzollerns in Sigmaringen and Meersburg Castle on the shore of Lake Constance; as well as a long hike through the Black Forest, with sights to enjoy such as baroque convent churches and the Zweribach Waterfalls. The cost of these day trips is not included in the program cost.
Housing
Housing is arranged for you by IES. You'll live in a private single occupancy room in a co-ed suite with a shared kitchen and bath. Suites are shared with German and international students and have Internet access.
Meals are not included in the program cost. Students usually prepare meals in their housing or dine in Freiburg’s affordable student cafeterias.
Estimated Program Costs
Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss. Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program. Program Fee includes tuition, field trips, and on-site orientation.
Some program options, including extending the program to complete an internship will carry additional fees, see IES website for more information.
Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are
for: Spring 2025
Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue
and Co-sponsor
|
Program Fee |
$19,684.00
|
Study Abroad Fee |
$914.10 |
Housing |
$4,500.00 |
Insurance |
$245.00 |
Program Discount for Purdue Students |
- $1,000.00 |
Approximate additional costs per semester
|
To be paid by the student.
|
Round-trip Airfare |
$1,600.00 |
Local Transportation |
$250.00 |
Visa |
$89.00 |
Books and Supplies |
$100.00 |
Meals |
$2,800.00 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$0.00 -
$2,300.00 |
Travel Documents (passport, photos) |
$175.00 |
Financial Aid
Applicants for this program may be interested in scholarships offered by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). See the following website: http://www.daad.org/?p=47220
Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should
NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.
Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.
Application Deadlines
For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.
As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.
Program Application Deadline
|
Fall Semester Programs |
Mar 1 |
Spring Semester Programs |
Sep 15 |
Returnees Information
Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.
Resources
The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.
For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383
or email
studyabroad@purdue.edu.