German State of Hessen Institutions

 

Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Friedberg, Fulda, Geisenheim, Giessen

Kassel, Marburg, Offenbach, Russelsheim, Wiesbaden

 

Location	Hessen, Germany
Academic Focus	Across the Curriculum
Eligibility	2.5 GPA Sophomore standing or above
Terms	German Semester schedule and operate during two semesters: Winter term (Oct. thru Feb) and Summer term (April thru July)
Language of Instruction	English, German
Partner Website	Click Here

The Hessen-Wisconsin exchange is a sister state relationship between Wisconsin and the German state of Hessen, which allows UW System students to study on exchange at any of the 13 institutions of higher education in Hessen. Studying in Hessen will help you gain German language skills and strengthen your knowledge about Germany while studying in a bustling city like Frankfurt, in a medieval setting like Marburg, or in the Baroque town of Fulda, just to mention a few. You can choose to study at a university in Hessen for a short-term program during winterim or summer, a semester, or a full academic year. Hessen's central location makes it ideal for trips to other cities and countries across Europe.
 
 

Academics

The 13 universities offer courses in a variety of areas at the undergraduate and graduate levels. For more information on each campuses offerings and requirements, please visit their specific website.
There are a variety of program options for exchange students to choose from, including:

• Semester/Academic Year Programs: Students enroll in regular university courses that can be taught in English and/or German. Additionally, students are encouraged to enroll in the pre-semester and/or semester German language courses that are offered at most Hessen institutions. Course offerings, and especially the availability of courses in English, vary at each Hessen institution. Because of differences in the German and US academic calendars, students generally study in Hessen for spring semester or a full academic year. However, there are two options for students to study in Hessen for the fall semester: the Marburg IUSP allows students to take courses in German language and culture courses alongside courses in other areas, and the Fulda Social Work program, which includes coursework and an internship focused on social work, intercultural communication, and German language.

 

• Short Term Programs: The International Summer/Winter Universities (ISU/IWU) are short-term program (approx. 4 weeks) offered at several different Hessen institutions. German language experience is not required, and all programs include both a content course and German language courses ranging from beginner to advanced.

   

Accommodation

Accommodation options vary from institution to institution, with most universities arranging for exchange students to live in student residence halls. Individual university websites will have further information about the housing options available at that institution.

Student Life and Surroundings

In Hessen, you are in the heart of Europe. Hessen is the fifth largest of the German states, and is situated in the center of Germany. The state is cosmopolitan and open-minded, but also deeply rooted in its heritage and history. From Kassel in the North to Darmstadt in the South, the cities of Hessen are unique in their cultural offerings, tradition, architecture and food. Hessen is a land of nature and one of the most densely wooded states in Germany and is one of the most renowned wine-growing regions in Germany.

The 13 Hessen institutions are:

• Technical University Darmstadt
• Goethe University Frankfurt
• Justus-Liebig- University Giessen
• University of Marburg
• University of Kassel
• Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
• Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
• Fulda University of Applied Sciences
• TH Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences
• Rhein Main University of Applied Sciences
• Frankfurt University of Music and Performance Arts
• Offenbach University of Art and Design
• Geisenheim University

Cost of Attendance, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

Exchange programs are affordable study abroad options that allow students to pay UW-W tuition while studying abroad.  As with all approved study abroad programs, UW-W financial aid can be used on this program.  Eligible students are encouraged to apply for the Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad, and UW-W and external study abroad scholarships are available.

UW-W tuition, as well as the Global Experiences Application Fee and CISI international insurance, are billed to the student’s UW-W account.  Other expenses are paid by the student individually.

Estimated Cost of Attendance (per semester)

The Hessen-WI exchange program expenses will vary depending on the  institution you apply for.  The below estimated budget includes the common program expenses that you should anticipate when you apply to any one of the Hessen-WI institutions.  Institution-specific fees will be provided if you indicate using financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships) to pay your study abroad fees, or you may request one by contacting the Office of Global Experiences.
 

Billed by UW-Whitewater	Semester	Summer
Tuition* (less Segregated Fee Waiver)	3,800	1,663**
UWW Global Experience Fee	225	225
UW-Oshkosh Hessen-WI Administration Fee	100	100
UWW Contingency Fee	50	50
CISI Insurance	175	35
Subtotal	$4,350	$2,073
Additional Estimated Expenses
Passport and Passport Photos	150	150
Round-Trip Airfare	1,800	1,200
German Residence Permit	135	-
Accommodation***	2,500	-
Meals	1,700	500
Books/Supplies	300	50
Personal/Miscellaneous	2,000	500
Subtotal	$8,585	$2,400
Total****	$12,935	$4,473

*2019-20 UW-W tuition for in-state residents. Non-residents are subject to UW-W non-resident tuition rates.  Tuition rates are subject to change each academic year.
** The summer tuition incorporates the accommodation costs in the tuition fee.
*** Accommodation is an estimated price; options vary at each campus.
****For comparison, the UW-W Financial Aid office estimates the cost of attendance on the UW-W campus for one semester to be $7,400.
 

Passport and Visa Requirements

Students will need a passport to study abroad that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of their program, and will also need to apply  for  a German student visa. In addition, students are required to obtain a German Residence Permit upon arrival in Germany.
 

Key Dates

Terms	Application Deadline	Term Dates*
German Semester Schedule - Winter Semester	March 1st	October through February
German Semester Schedule - Summer Semester	October 1st	April through July

*Term dates vary depending on the university selected: Frankfurt, Giessen, etc.

Timing of the Exchange

Wisconsin students who participate in one semester of exchange typically study in Hessen over spring semester. The fall semester in Hessen doesn’t end until after the spring semester in Wisconsin begins.

Wisconsin students who participate in two consecutive semesters of exchange typically study in Hessen over fall semester followed by spring.

Semester Programs (Traditional)

The fourteen Hessen Universities that participate in the Hessen-Wisconsin Exchange (HWX) operate on the traditional German Semester schedule and operate during two semesters: The Winter Semester (October thru February) and the Summer Semester (April thru July).

Due to the offset start dates, traditionally, our students will choose to attend the Summer Semester because it will not affect interfer with the Wisconsin semester.  We also have students who choose to spend an entire year immersed into the German culture, either at one University or two, depending on their motivations and courses they would like to take.

Traditional German semesters offer our students the greatest variety of choices in classes and institutions. Many of the Hessen universities offer English taught courses in various academic fields as well as numerous English-taught majors.  It is best for the students to review the “English Taught Programs and Courses” document to help them narrow their options.

Contacts