Program Type: Direct Student Exchange
Location Abroad: Potsdam, Germany
Language of Instruction: Regular courses at the University are taught in German. Inventory of English-taught courses is growing.
Program Description: This is a direct exchange between SUNY Potsdam and the Universitat Potsdam in Potsdam, Germany. The city of Potsdam, located just across the bridge to the Southwest of Berlin, was the capital of the Prussian kings. Potsdam is the historic site of the Potsdam Conference and the signing of the Peace Treaty ending World War II. Formerly a teacher's college in East Germany, the Universität Potsdam has been converted since the reunification of Germany into a full-fledged university with three campuses enrolling close to 21,000 students. The Universität Potsdam central campus is housed in some of the buildings of the Neues Palais and surrounded by parkland and other palaces, models of baroque and rococo architecture. Uni Potsdam has much to offer - a beautiful campus situated in a historical setting, dedicated faculty, and modern facilities are among the many reasons to live and study in Potsdam, Germany. Uni Potsdam's International Exchange office facilitates a buddy program where a Uni Potsdam student has volunteered to help a new incoming exchange student for the semester or year. Instruction in German is available outside of the exchange agreement before the start of each semester in a small group setting, at a minimal cost (housing and meals not included). Please note pre-semester language instruction is not designed for beginners!
Admission Criteria: Students should have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75. Junior or Senior standing at the time of the exchange. Minimum two semesters of college-level German required. Conversational ability in German is required even for programs where English is the language of instruction. Students proficient in German may take regular university courses.
Fields of Study: A range of academic disciplines (in German) including English linguistics, art, biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, education, food science, geography, history, Jewish studies, languages (French, German, Spanish, Slavic languages-Czech, Polish, Russian), Latin studies, math, music, philosophy, physics, psychology, social sciences (politics, sociology), sports and sports medicine. Please visit Uni Potsdam's website for English course descriptions from previous semesters. NOTE: English taught course availability greatly varies from one semester to the next. Actual class registration will not take place until you arrive at Universität Potsdam for orientation.
Term Dates: Winter semester (October to February) or Summer semester (April to July) or Academic year (October to July).
Housing and Meals: Accommodations vary in price and proximity to campus but expect to live in flats closest to the main campus, Am Neuen Palais. There is no meal plan; students must self-cater or purchase meals in the Uni Potsdam dining hall or cafeteria and/or off-campus restaurants and cafes.
Costs: This is a direct-exchange program in which the outgoing student pays tuition to SUNY Potsdam, and the incoming exchange partner covers tuition in Germany. SUNY students pay tuition to their home campus; non-SUNY students pay tuition directly to SUNY Potsdam. Room and board is paid in Germany.
Application Deadline: March 1 for fall/winter semester or full academic year; October 1 for spring/summer semester
Completed application materials should be sent to:
SUNY Potsdam
International Education & Programs
107 Crumb Library, 44 Pierrepont Avenue
Potsdam, NY 13676-2294
Telephone: (315) 267-2507
Fax: (315) 267-2811
Email: international@potsdam.edu
Passports: Students are responsible for obtaining their own passports. Since passports take some time to receive, you should begin this process early. If you have any questions about this program or for more information, please contact the respective International Education Office.