The Lüneburg program is ideal for students interested in learning the German language and focusing on European Studies -- specifically Germany's role within the European Union . Through formal coursework and personal interaction with the host culture, you will greatly expand your language skills and knowledge of German society. Lüneburg offers students the quality of life of a smaller community without sacrificing the cultural resources and activities of a large metropolitan city. Lüneburg is also only 30 minutes away from the former East Germany, providing a unique vantage point from which to study the dynamics of reunification.

The program offers two diverse academic areas: German Language and European Studies. The intensive language approach allows you to complete up to oen year of university language requirements in the summer. Additional courses in economics, history, culture, art history, literature, intercultural communication, and politics are taught in German or English to provide a well-rounded curriculum. However, the academic courses are only a part of the intended value of a program abroad. Participation in cultural activities, festivals and field trips to Hamburg, Celle, Bremen and an optional tour to Berlin also form an integral part of the program.

Lüneburg and Germany

Lüneburg, a city in the German state of Niedersachsen, is only 30 minutes south of Hamburg by train, a thriving city of 1.8 million. One of the few German cities never destroyed, Lüneburg offers an extraordinary opportunity to live in the beauty and history of a city dating back more than a thousand years.  For several centuries, Lüneburg was one of the wealthiest towns in Germany and enjoyed many privileges and much prestige. Magnificent buildings, townhouses and fortifications with triple ramparts were built, as well as a moat, watchtowers and town gates. The 18th and 19th centuries brought a period of decline as the result of military conflicts and political entanglements. In 1866, Lüneburg was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia and lost many of its treasures and military fortifications. By the end of the 19th century, Lüneburg experienced a new period of expansion based on the development of a health spa, which promoted the healing properties of salt-water baths.

Today, Lüneburg is building upon its reputation as a resort destination. Besides a large saltwater swimming pool with artificial waves, it offers excellent examples of northern German Gothic brick architecture, the 13th - 14th century church of St. John, a beautiful medieval and Renaissance main square, a monastery founded in 1172 and other historical treasures too numerous to mention.

Germany is known for its modern cities and pulsating nightlife as well as its enchanting medieval towns, traditional wine villages, picturesque countryside and castles. It has one of the highest standards of living and is recognized as a scientific and technological leader in several fields.