Did you know that German is spoken as a native language by over 100 million people? Whether you want to perfect your grasp of the language, learn in a place of stunning artistic accomplishment and staggering history, or take advantage of the country's technologically advanced, modern economy and universities, Germany offers fantastic opportunities for students of all disciplines. And from Germany -- the geographic and cultural "heart of Europe" -- most of the major European capitals are within easy reach by train.

With the creation of new bachelor's and master's degrees in Germany that are similar to those offered elsewhere in Europe, and many new courses taught entirely or partially in English, Germany is increasingly accessible to students from other countries, who now total over 220,000 per year, or over 10% of the overall student population. Of the 1.8 million students who study abroad each year, nearly a tenth of those students choose Germany.

Germany has a diverse and varied higher education system. Its 300 higher education institutions have a long tradition of excellence in the sciences, engineering, music, art, and philosophy. The German education system is rooted in the ideal of a unified approach to higher education that integrates research and teaching. This perspective was heavily influenced by the work of the German education reformer Wilhelm von Humboldt. German universities are also committed to the idea of the freedom of education, which in this case means that students can structure their studies more around what they want and how they want to learn. What's more, most German universities so far have not charged any tuition fees, although a recent constitutional court decision will allow universities to start charging nominal fees, in the range of EUR 500 per semester.

Germany is one of the few countries that has a national agency dedicated to providing support to students from around the world. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a primary source of information on studying in Germany, and sponsors over 1,700 people from the US and Canada to go to Germany each year for study and research--from the undergraduate through the faculty level.

Germany is also an excellent place for internships and practical learning. Many German universities actually integrate these opportunities into their curriculum. Germany is a modern, industrialized nation and is among the world's largest and most technologically advanced economies. One of the largest sectors of Germany's economy is the service sector, which includes banking, information technology, and tourism. Students pursuing internships in the country can capitalize on Germany's diverse economy, with major multinational corporations such as Bosch, Siemens, Daimler-Benz, and Bertelsman.

Students also can take advantage of Germany's rich cultural and artistic heritage. Germany was home to an impressive list of famous musicians including Bach, Handel, Beethoven, and Wagner. Each year the Bach and Wagner Festivals serve as a reminder for the country of these great composers. The Bauhaus is a famous German art school dedicated to art and industry working together through the unity of fine art and arts and crafts. Germany is also famous for its thinkers and writers including authors such as Kafka, Goethe, Brecht, and the Brothers Grimm. Famous philosophers included Kant, Leibniz, Hegel, and Nietzsche as well as Marx and Engels, the authors of the Communist Manifesto. Germany also gave birth to the famous Martin Luther who was a great influence in Protestantism. Students today can immerse themselves in the same culture and environment that gave birth to these great thinkers and artists, and can study in a variety of settings, from scenic Alpine towns to the modern cities of Berlin and Hamburg.

Perhaps one of the most relevant factors for students visiting Germany is to explore and learn in a place that has arguably had more of an impact on Europe than any other nation. Charlemagne, Bismark, and Hitler all left their mark not only on Germany but also on the rest of Europe and the world at large. While not always positive, the influence of Germany cannot be understated and the lessons to be learned there are extremely valuable.

Germany was first unified in 1871, and still has strong regional cultures. Today, the country continues to work through the challenge of reunification between East and West that began in 1990. After forty years of separation that left a deep cultural, social, and economic divide, Germany has demonstrated its resolve throughout this process as it has throughout its history.

Germany has many lessons to teach and provides an inspiring environment and a challenging system to facilitate learning. Capitalize on the opportunities you will have there to further your education and expand your horizons.

Germany has a diverse and varied higher education system. Its 300 higher education institutions have a long tradition of excellence in the sciences, engineering, music, art, and philosophy. The German education system is rooted in the ideal of a unified approach to higher education that integrates research and teaching. This perspective was heavily influenced by the work of the German education reformer Wilhelm von Humboldt. German universities are also committed to the idea of the freedom of education, which in this case means that students can structure their studies more around what they want and how they want to learn. What's more, most German universities so far have not charged any tuition fees, although a recent constitutional court decision will allow universities to start charging nominal fees, in the range of EUR 500 per semester.

ONLINE RESOURCES
German Academic Exchange Service (for US and Canada): http://www.daad.org
German Academic Exchange Service/DAAD (global site): http://www.daad.de/deutschland/en
The Higher Education Compass - Association of Universities and other Higher Education Institutions in Germany: http://www.higher-education-compass.de
Campus Germany - Study and Research in Germany: http://www.studieren-in-deutschland.de/
iAgora.com: http://www.iagora.com/
Lonely Planet: http://www.lonelyplanet.com
WorldInfoZone.com: http://www.worldinfozone.com
CIA Factbook: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook

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