Location

Fulda, Berlin, Nuremburg, Weimar, Würzburg, Germany

Program Description

Have you always wanted to see the world, study a new language and culture, and have fun at the same time? Consider the summer study program in Fulda, Germany. You will earn six credits and learn both in the classroom and during field trips and excursions. As part of the International Summer University at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences, you will also meet international students from across the globe.

Courses include a German language course and a seminar on German culture. No prerequisites or prior knowledge of German are required.

In addition to a culture seminar and German class, students spend three days in the German capital of Berlin visiting important historical sites such as the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust memorial, and other museums of their choice. They will also take day trips to the northern Bavarian cities of Würzburg and Nuremberg, where they will participate in tours of the city and important historical sites, such as the National Socialist party rally grounds. They will also visit the former East German city and cultural center, Weimar, which also encompasses a visit to the concentration camp Buchenwald.

Currently, this is the only summer program for German at JMU that focuses on language development as well as cultural learning. The German culture seminar is offered in both German and English, and German courses at all levels are available. In addition to the academic merits, Fulda is an affordable city. Given its size of around 68,000, it is similar in size to Harrisonburg, and has good flight connections given its proximity to Frankfurt. The city is easily negotiated on foot and by bus, so it does not pose a huge change in lifestyle from Harrisonburg. While students will have the opportunity to hear and speak German, the city is very international and welcoming to people from a wide range of cultures and linguistic backgrounds. Additionally, the program offers a wide range of experiences at a low cost. 

Check us out on social media:

Facebook: German at James Madison University | JMU World Languages & Cultures

Instagram: jmudeutsch; jmulanguages

X: JMUForeignLanguages

Location Description

The program takes place in Fulda, a picturesque city in the heart of Germany. It was founded in the year 744 and has architecture dating back to the ninth century. It is near the banking center and travel hub of Frankfurt and close to the former East German border and notorious Fulda Gap. With direct train access to many major cities in Europe, it is easy to combine an intensive study trip in this beautiful baroque city with European travel before and after the program.

The JMU Fulda Language and Culture Program is led by a faculty member and lasts four weeks, with the first week online and the last three on site in Germany. It allows students to take courses while also discovering German culture firsthand by visiting various parts of the country. The program includes a seminar, a German language course, and an extracurricular program featuring dancing, cooking, volleyball, hiking, canoeing, and more.

Also included in the program costs are trips to Berlin, Würzburg, Nuremberg, and Weimar. Travel to other parts of Germany or Europe prior to or after the program is highly encouraged.

Director

Cynthia Chalupa | chalupcs@jmu.edu | World Languages and Cultures

Accommodations

Students will share two-bed hotel rooms with another ISU student. Single rooms can be booked for an extra fee if reserved in advance. Breakfast is included. All rooms, which include a private bathroom, are at a hotel in Fulda’s city center within a 15-minute walk to classes, downtown, the train station and other amenities.

Students receive complimentary meals during the opening and closing ceremonies of the program. Breakfast is covered daily as part of their hotel stay (also on excursions). The university cafeteria (“Mensa”), which offers warm and cold meals at an affordable prices, is open from 7am – 9pm Monday through Friday and from 10am ­– 3pm on Saturdays. Lunch is served between 11:15am ­– 2pm on weekdays and 12pm – 2pm on Saturdays. Dinner is served 5pm – 8pm Monday through Friday and 12pm – 2pm on Saturdays. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available every day. Other dietary needs can be accommodated. Day-long excursions include a meal.

Additional Items to Consider

Beginning in 2025, U.S. students will need to apply for a basic visa to visit countries in the European Union. International students may have other visa requirements based on their country of origin.

Beginning in late 2026, U.S. students will need to obtain an authorization to visit countries in the European Union through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). International students may have other visa requirements based on their country of origin.

The start date of the program is July 6, 2026. Students will complete the first week of the program online, including the completion of intercultural training, two seminar meetings, and two German course meetings. All meetings will be synchronous.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to all class levels and majors, including graduate students and non JMU students.

No previous knowledge of German language is required.