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.

Students of all majors are eligible to participate as the program meets a wide range of core course and upper-division major course requirements. Also, business students should note that the program always offers at least two upper-division business courses that count towards the LMU business majors so business students regularly make up a significant portion of NEP participants. Courses are taught in English and credits/units are recorded on LMU transcripts. A German language and culture course is required of all students to assist students in communication effectively during their stay.

Each semester there is an LMU faculty in residence who teaches in the program. In spring 2012, Professor Sylvie Simonds, Department of Art & Art History, will teach in the program; and in fall 2012 it will be Professor Robert Singleton, Department of Economics. 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 European Union - an association of 27 countries and over 500 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 many crucial social, economical and environmental 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 soccer 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 Non-Governmental Organization (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.