The American Junior Year Program at Heidelberg University was founded in 1958 by Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio in cooperation with the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Approved SIUE students may paricipate a fall, spring or full academic year of study at Heidelberg University. ALL courses are taught in German, including a wide array of German language, literature, and cultural courses for which SIUE students may earn German language credit at SIUE applicable toward German major and minor requirements.
Semester dates vary from those at SIUE, especially for the Spring semester or full year program:
The full year program: Late August - Late July
Fall semester: Late August - December
Spring semester: Late February - late July
As an American Junior Year student the University of Heidelberg, you will:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at one of Europe's finest universities,
- Live with German students, have the opportunity to take part in a community activity, and meet regularly with a language partner,
- Choose among the large selection of courses offered by the University of Heidelberg and by the AJY program,
- Be able to study and relax at the AJY study center in the heart of the historic city center on University Square,
- Be counseled by a full-time resident director and other staff members,
- Participate in an intensive grammar review and German studies seminar for the first month after your arrival,
- Take part in various excursions and study trips, i.e. along the Romantic Road, to Bavaria, to Berlin, or to eastern Germany,
- Receive an official transcript of your academic accomplishments, and
- Understand why one of the most popular German folk songs is entitled "Ich hab' mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren".
COURSES:
Students can earn 12-16 semester hours of credit. The International Study Center provides German Language and German Studies courses specifically designed for internationals students with intermediate to advanced levels of German proficiency.
COSTS:
See Program Fees and Other Costs for a breakdown of expenses.
THE UNIVERSITY:
Founded in 1386, the Universität Heidelberg has been shaped by over 600 years of German history. Today, the University is a public institution, supported by the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is internationally recognized for the high quality of its research and teaching and was recently selected as one of ten German 'elite' universities. The Universität Heidelberg is also consistently ranked number one in Germany in the Times/QS World University Rankings.
Approximately 26,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at the University, approximately 5,000 of which are international students.
HOUSING AND MEALS:
In your dorm you will learn the German language and culture you cannot learn from a textbook or in the classroom. Rather than placing you together with other Americans, AJY housing is spread out across Heidelberg. You will live in a dormitory or in a shared apartment (Wohngemeinschaft) with German students. This enables you to speak German informally with your neighbors - from that first cup of coffee in the morning until the last late-night chat in the evening.
All dorm rooms are fully equipped and have access to a shared kitchen and bath facilities. Most rooms are singles and housing is usually centrally located, requiring only a short walk or bus ride to and from classes or other activities. Your room will be available from the day the group arrives in Heidelberg for the duration of your enrollment in the program.
Students usually prepare breakfast on their own. For noon and evening meals, they may take advantage of the very reasonably-priced offerings at the University cafeteria. Since all rooms have access to cooking facilities, many students cook occasional meals with fellow students in their apartments or dorms.
ELIGIBILTY:
Applicants for this program must have junior status (for anticipated semester of enrollment), a 3.0 GPA, and at least 4 semesters German language study at SIUE. This program is best suited for German Language & Literature majors and minors.
TO APPLY:
1. German language majors and minors should contact Dr. Belinda Carstens-Wickham in the Department of Foreign Languages for pre-advisement.
2. Contact the Office of International Affairs (studyabroad@siue.edu) for study abroad advisement and to obtain the Study Abroad Course Proposal/Equivalence Form.
3. Complete the SIUE study abroad application on this page. This is a two part application and you will need to return to complete the post-decision items after you are accepted by Heidelberg University.
4. In addition to the SIUE Study Abroad Application requirements, complete and submit the Heidelberg Application. Turn in the Heidelberg application form, Official SIUE transcript, and $20 application fee (Personal check payable to AJY at Heidelberg University) to the SIUE Office of International Affairs. (Upon approval of your SIUE eligiblity to study abroad, these items along with SIUE nomination for you to participate in this program will be sent to Heidelberg University.)
