Summer Study Abroad Program in Bonn, Germany

Academy for International Education (Akademie für internationale Bildung), Bonn:
Located in Bonn, in western Germany, Academy for International Education (Akademie für internationale Bildung - AIB) is a private non-profit organization for higher education. We specialize in providing year-round, semester and summer study abroad programs in Bonn for individual students and groups from US colleges and universities.

SABINA is an interdisciplinary, six-week summer program for US students that offer courses in German language and culture, liberal arts and film studies in Bonn. It offers students the choice between three different academic 'packages'. Each track gives students the opportunity to earn a total of six-eight semester credits but with different combinations of courses. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to participate in this program (exceptions can be made).

The SABINA summer program includes cultural activities and excursions. Students taking part on all tracks will have a one week excursion at the end of the program to eastern Germany and Berlin.

Program Options:

TRACK 1: German language & culture:
- Course in German language, German culture and civilization
- Course in German language, German culture and civilization on the next relevant level

TRACK 2: German language & liberal arts:
- Course in German language, German culture and civilization in combination with
- Liberal arts course

TRACK 3: Liberal arts:
- Liberal arts course
- Another liberal arts course

Note: All liberal arts courses are taught in English

In connection with the summer programs, AIB offers the possibility to take an intensive language course (consisting of 2 language classes) before starting an internship for 6 - 8 weeks. The language course will guarantee that the student is capable of the basic German language skills that are needed to successfully master an internship.

Internships are a great addition to every resumé. They are a very valuable, praxis oriented way of learning and offer a great opportunity to make new experiences. The AIB offers various formats for internships.  

A possible format for the internship program might be:

- 5 weeks of language courses (2 classes)
- One week excursion at the end of the first part of the program
- 6 - 8 weeks of internship
- It is possible to take a so called "internship class" while doing the internship

The cost and fees for the internship are calculated based on the individual composition of each internship program.

We at the AIB make it our mission to educate students and advance their skills to become independent, self-confident professionals ready to deal with this world’s idiosyncracies old and new. No matter the subject of study, today all students need a greater understanding of the world to help them formulate the role they will play and learn in what they do can impact the rest of the world. Studying abroad has subsequently become a fundamental element of contemporary education.

We assist in developing individual talent and skills through creating a special framework that encourages artistic, social and cultural diversity. Our programs bring challenging academic, professional and cultural components together with European perspectives. The result is a truly international setting for learning and personal experience.

Homestay Accommodation with German Host Family:
AIB strongly encourages students to live with one of our carefully selected host families. Living with a German family offers the unique possibility to fully immerse oneself in the German culture, meet people outside of the program and make friends.

All host families provide students with a single room or more and open the rest of the house to them. Host families live in close proximity to public transportation, so the student can easily reach the AIB. Students in host families receive breakfast and one other meal per day. 

The AIB housing manager selects host families only after a thorough screening process. She makes personal visits to the families to ensure that accommodations meet our standards and regularly checks in with them throughout the program duration.

Student Residence:
The student residence is conveniently located close to a subway station that connects with the AIB in 5 minutes. The apartments in the student residence are doubles. Every apartment has its own bathroom and a kichtenette area as well as a balcony. Laundry facilities are also available, as well as a common large kitchen shared by all apartments and a lounge area. Students in the students residence get a meal allowance to subsidize breakfast and one other meal per day.

Transportation:
AIB provides students with a local public transportation pass for the duration of the program. This pass can be used on all local subways and busses and ensures free transportation between the host family and the AIB.

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 area is filled with medieval towns, castles and natural beauty. Students can explore Bonn’s historic city center, play Fußball in one of Bonn’s several parks or walk, run or bike along the Rhine. Bonn is also an international technology hub, and is the corporate headquarters to Deutsche Post and T-Mobile; the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft & Raumfahrtechnik, the German space agency, is also nearby.

Bonn is centrally located in Western Europe allowing for easy train travel to cities such as Paris and Amsterdam. The extraordinary public transportation system in Germany and in particular in the Rhineland area ensures that you will be able to travel independently and flexibly in your free time. Also, the Cologne-Bonn airport is served by many low-cost airlines allowing for travel on a long weekend to cities like London, Barcelona, Venice, Prague, Budapest and other European locations.