Yale Summer Session in New Haven & Berlin: Intermediate German I & II

Description

An intensive, content-based language program that teaches linguistic skills through a variety of texts and media, with special emphasis on the culture and history of 12 German, Austrian and Swiss cities. Participants spend the first four weeks in New Haven, on the Yale campus. They will improve their language skills and prepare for their upcoming stay in Berlin.

In Berlin, participants will live with host families and will have class from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as daily work outside the classroom. There will be excursions to museums, cultural events, and historical sites in and around Berlin in the afternoons. On weekends, the group takes trips to nearby cities, such as Leipzig or Dresden or Hamburg. Students will also have time for exploring Berlin on their own.

Courses & Credits

GMAN S130-S140: Second-Year German I & II (3 credits)

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs led by Yale instructors. 

Instructors

Theresa Schenker, Senior Lector II, Germanic Languages and Literatures, German Language Program Director and DUS, Yale University

Theresa Schenker earned her PhD from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.  She joined the German Department in 2012 as language program director. Since coming to Yale she has worked on restructuring the German Language Program, increasing outreach efforts, expanding the summer study abroad program, and training graduate students in their teaching years. Professor Schencker teaches all levels of German language as well as advanced language/culture courses. Her research interests are computer-mediated communication, telecollaboration, intercultural competence, and study abroad. Theresa currently serves as co-editor of Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German and as software review editor for CALICO.

Lieselotte Sippel, Assistant Professor of German, Binghamton University

Lieselotte Sippel’s research explores second language acquisition in classroom contexts, with the goal of identifying pedagogical approaches that help learners develop language skills most effectively. She is particularly interested in the role of corrective feedback, peer interaction, pronunciation instruction and telecollaboration in the second language classroom. Her research has appeared in The Modern Language Journal, Language Teaching Research, Foreign Language Annals and Journal of Second Language Pronunciation, among other venues. Sippel received her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University in 2017.

Class Times 

Participants will have class from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as daily work outside the classroom.

Class times may be subject to change with notice from the instructors.

Classroom Locations

Information about the classroom locations in Berlin and New Haven will be provided to all participants prior to the start of the program.

Money & Budgeting

Many participants find a combination of credit and debit cards to be the most convenient way of accessing money while abroad. It’s important to have a backup option as well in case of emergency.

Participants are strongly advised to bring a moderate amount (about $100 or so) of cash that they can easily exchange for Euros in many places, including the Berlin Airport, in case their ATM or credit cards do not initially work. Please note that participants likely will need more than $100 for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the entire duration of the program. Students are also strongly encouraged to alert their banks or credit card companies of their travel plans before arriving in Germany.

While it would be much more comfortable to just carry around a plastic card, participants should remember that some stores, restaurants, and hotels in other countries do not accept credit cards, especially for small purchases like coffee. Student should try not to use credit or debit cards unless necessary. Additionally, some places only accept German debit cards (EC-Karte). For this reason, participants should try to carry a small amount of cash in local currency at all times.

Participants should expect out-of-pocket costs not billed by Yale, including but not limited to class materials, coffee, snacks, and transportation to and from the classroom.

Program Cost & Funding

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad costs are updated annually and include the administrative fee and program deposit, program fee, tuition, and international housing charge.  

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2025 Budget

Trips and Activities

On every Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, learning extends outside of the classroom. Participants can expect a variety of integrated activities and excursions that enhance the academic goals of the program. Trips and activities listed below are included as examples only and are subject to change. 

All required activities and excursion include transportation (when outside of the host city), entrance fees, and most meals. 

In Berlin, the program will explore the diverse cultural scene by going to several museums, attending a cultural performance, and visiting important sites such as the German Parliament and the Berlin Wall. With a three-day museum pass, participants can spend as much time in their favorite museums as they like. There will be many opportunities to explore the rich history of Berlin, for example by taking an “underground” tour of Berlin to see where former East Germans attempted to use tunnels to escape to West Germany, and in past years, participants have also visited a former prison of the secret police in East Germany. Participants will also likely visit the former concentration camp in Sachsenhausen, just outside of Berlin. Weekend trips may include overnight excursions to Leipzig, Dresden, or Hamburg.

Housing

All participants are required to live in program-provided housing while abroad and are not permitted to arrange housing independently. International housing is guaranteed from the first day of the program until the official end date.

During their time in Germany, students will live with carefully-selected host families in Berlin. More information and host family contact details will be provided approximately two weeks before participants arrive in Berlin.

Homestays are an integral part of this program. The living arrangements provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about the host culture, increase language proficiency, and form meaningful connections in the community. Students admitted into the program are expected to spend time getting to know their homestay families and be mindful of the need to balance time spent at home with time exploring the city or going out with friends. If participants have any questions about living with a homestay family, they are encouraged to reach out to the program director.

Participants must depart housing on the last day of the program.

Helpful Tips for Staying with German Hosts

• Mealtimes are important for most German families. They typically enjoy having one meal together each day where each family member will talk about their day.
• Germans usually close their bedroom doors. Participants are expected to knock if they want to enter.
• Most Germans take recycling very seriously. Participants should ask their host families where to put their trash and how to recycle.

Meals

In Berlin, host families will provide participants with breakfast seven times per week (unless a particular breakfast will take place during a scheduled excursion that includes a group breakfast). Dinner will be provided five times per week, generally Monday through Friday, but the student and the host family can agree on which 5 nights in a particular week will have dinner provided. Meals that take place as a group during excursions are covered.

It is important (and polite) that participants let their host families know if they are not going to be home for one of the provided meals.

Gift Custom

A small gift makes a good impression on arrival. An inexpensive token from the participant's university or hometown, such as a magnet or a mug, is a nice gesture for the hosts.

Notes

Climate

Summers in Berlin are generally mild and warm; summer temperatures range from a low of 55° F to a high of around 75° F. There may be several days of light rainfall, some days may be hot.

Packing Considerations

1. Pack light! Participants will be able to do laundry and will likely return home with new items from the host country. Participants should expect the possibility of carrying their bags on several modes of transportation and up several flights of stairs alone.

2. Keep all essential items in a carry-on bag (e.g., passport and medications). 

Clothing

Germans, like many Europeans, tend to dress a bit more stylishly than Americans. Wearing more casual clothing such as sweatpants on the street is uncommon. That said, students and many creative professionals dress casually, so t-shirts and jeans are common. Participants might want to take along at least one dressier outfit for evenings out. Comfortable walking shoes, whether sandals, shoes or sneakers, are a must, as participants will walk much more than they likely do in New Haven. Flip-flops offer no real support when walking great distances. Participants should also take a light jacket and consider taking an umbrella in case of inclement weather.

Participants may want to consider bringing books, their laptops, any medication they might need (including contact lens solution), a bathing suit, a backpack for overnight or weekend trips (it will be inconvenient to lug around a full-sized suitcase for a short trip), and any preferred toiletries. Participants are advised not to bring hairdryers or straighteners, as American hairdryers and straighteners won’t work in Germany, even with adapters. Participants can purchase them if their host families do not have them available for use.

Electricity Adapters

Germany uses type F plugs, which have two round pins and an opening at the top and bottom of the plug. Type F adapters can be purchased online or in many brick-and-mortar retail outlets. Participants may also want to bring current converters, as Germany runs on 230V electricity.

Questions

For general program questions contact the studyabroad@yale.edu.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

Apply to a YSS Program Abroad