AATG College Summer Program

This four-week summer program offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in German culture while improving their existing language skills and expanding their knowledge about German history and the “German way of life.” During your time in Bonn, you not only learn German in the classroom, but participate in intercultural workshops and learn about German culture on field trips and local outings.

Dates & Location

The 2025 AATG College Summer Program dates are July 2 to August 1, 2025. 

The city of Bonn is a college town and home to over 35,000 students from all over the world. It is also a city full of history with a modern, international flair and a welcoming atmosphere. The former capital of Germany is centrally located within Europe and provides access to several airports and Germany's well-developed rail network. In addition, Bonn is known for its very high quality of life and low crime rate.

Course Offerings

You will take two courses, each worth 3 credits (6 credits total) - one German language course, based on your level of German, and one culture and history course in English.  Classes are taught by experienced and engaging certified German instructors and an accompanying US faculty member. Course credit is awarded by the Ibugi Institute at Alanus University Bonn, a fully state-accredited university for arts and social sciences with Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs recognized by the Ministry of Education of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

You will receive an official transcript of records from Ibugi and Alanus University that meets US guidelines for transfer credits.

The program also includes intercultural workshops and information sessions on studying and working/interning in Germany.

Please note: Prior knowledge of German is recommended but not required for this program. If you haven't had any German instruction, we strongly recommend taking an introductory class and/or self-study prior to the beginning of the program. 

GL 101/102: Elementary German. Elementary language study with oral, written, and reading practice. Preparation for conversation. If needed, the course may be split into sections depending on students' level of German. Class meets daily.

GL 201/202: Intermediate German. Readings of average difficulty. Review of grammar; practice in conversation and composition. If needed, the course may be split into sections depending on students' level of German. Class meets daily.

GCH 101: German Culture and History. Introduction to German Culture and History; includes intercultural components. Academic study trips will be incorporated into the classroom schedule. This course is taught in English. Class meets 2-3x per week. Homework and/or readings will be assigned for each class meeting and class excursion.

Additional options for course credit are available for students with advanced German skills. Please contact veronika@aatg.org for more information.

Accompanying Faculty

The group is accompanied by the Academic Director, a US based faculty member from an institution of higher education. The Academic Director will also teach the German culture & history course on site and join the group on trips and excursions. Our returning Academic Director for 2025 is Natalie Eppelsheimer (Middlebury College).

Housing

During your four-week stay, you will live with a German host family and enjoy a truly immersive living experience. All families are located within a half-hour radius to AiB with public transportation. All host families and homes have been vetted through personal visits and interviews. Our partners in Bonn work with a large and diverse pool of qualified families and are able to accommodate special requests and needs such as allergies, dietary needs, mobility requests, affinity towards the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as personal preferences (e.g. kids/no kids, smoking/non-smoking, pets).
Transportation
Transportation from and to the Frankfurt, Germany airport are provided to students arriving/departing on the dates listed above, as are public transportation passes for the city of Bonn for the duration of the program. You will make your own individual flight arrangements from the US to Germany, and you are welcome to arrive in Germany prior to the beginning of the program or stay longer after. AATG will assist in coordinating arrival and departure times of students.
Please note: Host family accommodations are only available during the program dates listed above. If you arrive early/stay longer, you will need to make your own arrangements. 
Program Costs
The program cost is $4200. Included in the price are a single room and breakfast with the host family, a local transportation pass, all excursions, transportation to and from the airport in Germany, and health insurance. This price does not include airfare or personal funds (i.e. spending money).
 
Administrative Fee: $150.

This fee is required of all Summer Program participants and includes your comprehensive insurance coverage for the duration of the program.

Scholarship Support: A limited amount of scholarships covering part of the program costs are available to students with financial need. Students may indicate that they would like to be considered for an Endowed Fund scholarship via the program application.
Additional scholarship opportunities can be found here. We also encourage you to check in with your school's financial aid and international offices about scholarship support. 


Payment structure & deadlines
 
February 15, 2025: Application deadline
 
 
March 15, 2024: First installment due ($2000)
 
May 9, 2025: Second installment due ($2200)

 

Cancellation Policy

Late cancellation fees will be charged as follows:

  • Individual participant's cancellation later than six weeks prior to program: 40% of the total cost
  • Individual participant's cancellation two weeks or less prior to program: 60% of the total cost

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in any US college or university who have completed at least one semester of college prior to the beginning of the program are eligible to apply. 

Application materials

• Online application form

• Unofficial transcripts

• Recommendation form (filled out by a faculty member)

Apply here

Note: Partial progress on the Online Application Form cannot be saved. Please make sure to have all your documents ready when beginning your application. You can review the 2024 application here.

Our Partners

The Akademie für internationale Bildung (AiB) is a private, non-profit, and independent organization for higher education located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in 1993, AiB specializes in the design, planning, and implementation of education abroad programs for U.S. students. AiB’s programs provide students with new professional skills, international experience and intercultural awareness. AiB is an international academic forum that brings people and cultures together and enables them to engage in an open exchange with a view to social perspectives for the future.

This program is designed to be accessible for students of various economic backgrounds. AATG and AiB are committed to providing a diverse and open-minded setting for students to learn about themselves and others. Through interactive classroom instruction, study tours, outings with German students, and homestay with German families, the program creates a welcoming and stimulating environment that allows students to immerse themselves in the German culture and experience a summer in the Rhineland region.