The New Europe Program

                                        

Program Description 

The New Europe Program is LMU’s largest and longest-running study abroad program. The NEP provides students with the opportunity to experience all of Europe and engage in a new culture and travel while attending classes at the Akademie für Internationale Bildung.  The AIB has run LMU’s Germany study abroad programs for more than fifteen years.

 

Students of all majors are eligible to participate as the program offers a wide range of core courses and upper-division major courses in many disciplines (e.g., business, communication, liberal arts, etc.). Courses are taught in English. The course selection in this program is designed to meet core curriculum and upper-division major requirements. Credits/units are recorded on LMU transcripts; it is as if students are studying at LMU except that they are at its European campus. A German language and culture course is required of all students to assist students in communicating effectively during their stay.

In spring 2010, Professor Marc Lony, Department of Modern Languages & Literatures, will offer courses and in fall 2010, Professor John Reilly, Department of English, will join the program. AIB professors from universities throughout Germany teach courses with a strong foundation in international issues. Guest speakers, practical case studies and course-related site visits throughout Europe enhance the academic experience.

 

NEP students gain a panoramic view of the alliance of nations known as the European Union -- an association of 27 countries and over 490 million citizens. Students progress in their major and core curriculum while experiencing a country that is synonymous with intellectual, scientific, and cultural achievement. The study of German and European-specific methods (e.g., by visiting European companies, institutions, museums, etc.) allows students to understand and increase their interest in some of the exciting work being done in the EU. In particular, the NEP offers the opportunity to experience firsthand the social and environmental responsibility takes on issues such as a rapidly growing population, demographic and climate changes, declining natural resources, globalization, urbanization and a growing concern for the environment.

 

Location

Situated on the Rhine River, Bonn is the former capital of West Germany as well as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. The city and its surrounding are rich in castles, medieval towns and natural beauty. Students can play fußball in one of Bonn’s several parks, explore the gardens of Poppelsdorfer Castle or walk, run or bike along the Rhine. Bonn has developed into an international technology, business, research and NGO hub, and serves as corporate headquarters for T-Mobile and Deutsche Post; houses several world-renown research centers; and is one of the world’s largest United Nations cities. Bonn is centrally located in Western Europe allowing easy train travel to cities such as Paris and Amsterdam. The Cologne-Bonn airport is served by many low-cost airlines allowing students access to cities such as Venice, Budapest, London, Prague and Barcelona, among others.