The Germany Exchange Program

Upper Division Elective Credits Earned in 3 Weeks

May 5 (departure on May 4) to May 26, 2008

May 2008 offers a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in an exchange program that the University of Florida has with a university in Germany, the Fachhochschule Lippe und Hoxter in Detmold. Detmold, a city of about 70,000 residents, is located in northwestern Germany. This is beautiful rolling country between Hanover and Deusseldorf.

ABOUT THE EXCHANGE:

The program was developed so that participating University of Florida students (graduate or undergraduate) and the Construction Engineering students of Fachhochschule Lippe in Germany could benefit from the mutual exchange of information on international construction. Since the German students participate in the program by enrolling in regular courses offered in the Rinker School, the focus of this information is on the participation of the UF students in the exchange program in Germany. The UF students attend lectures and visit various locations to observe different construction methods and techniques in Germany. Students will also learn about the history of Germany, its government, the culture and social norms of the Germans, preservation techniques, restoration efforts, and construction practices in Germany. In addition, the UF students see several points of interest that are of historical, cultural, or architectural importance.

All instruction is in English. Lectures are offered on many different topics of interest, but much of the learning and enjoyment of this exchange lies in experiencing the places that are visited.

UF students are hosted by German students, further adding to the enjoyment of the exchange program.

Students will experience the culture, view magnificent architecture, and take enlightening walking tours in cities, such as the following:

Cologne (Germany’s oldest city)

Hamburg (the second largest port in Europe)

Berlin (the seat of government, again)

Dessau (birthplace of the Bauhaus)

Dresden (a rebuilding Renaissance city)

Potsdam (site of the Potsdam treaty)

Students will visit several castles, take a tour on the Elbe River, visit a concentration camp, tour several construction sites, tour the Ruhr Valley, see examples of the Bauhaus style, experience the differences and the common bond between the United States and Germany, visit Checkpoint Charlie, tour the Reichstag building, visit the site of the signing of the Potsdam Treaty that ended WWII in Europe, tour an outdoor museum that contains many restored buildings that are hundreds of years old, tour a craft training school where craft skills are developed and refined, a building that is covered with photo-voltaic cells for power generation, and many other interesting sites.

Costs of the Exchange

Fees:

The approximate costs for this program are shown below.

Program Fees = $1,500 (includes all lodging and transportation within Germany, UF administrative fees, and UF tuition)

Airfare = $500 -$800 (estimated – fares are more expensive when bought late). Students are responsible for purchasing their own airline tickets.

Incidental Expenses: Allow $300 (estimated, this is for some food only. Remember, travel and lodging is fully covered in the program fees)

Insurance: $0 if the current policy provides coverage (otherwise allow about $50)

Note: Some students have participated at a total cost of about $2,200

Students are encouraged to express their interest early. Contact Dr. Jimmie Hinze for more information, 340 Rinker Hall, 273-1167, hinze@ufl.edu

See the Slide Show

See Details of the Program

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