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Program Highlights for Lüneburg, Germany

The city

Language spoken:
German

Currency:
Euro (EUR, €)

Climate:
Marine West Coast

City type:
Small City (Population 100,000-50,001)

Passport & Visa requirements

The program

Program type:
Specialty

Host university:
Leuphana University of Lüneburg

Language of instruction:
English, German

Terms offered:
Spring, Summer, Fall, Yearlong

Program capacity:
40 students

Credit type:
U.S. semester credit

Deadline to apply

Summer 2024:
Session 1 or 1&2: March 15 (late application possible)
Session 2: April 15

Fall/Yearlong 2024-25:
May 15

Spring 2025:
October 15

Eligibility:

  • Minimum GPA: 2.5
  • Live in a vibrant university town and a beautiful medieval setting just 30 minutes away from Hamburg.
  • Join in a wide range of extracurricular activities on and off campus and take advantage of the study and bus pass which is included in the program fee.
  • Feel at home with the help of local students and language partners.
  • Enjoy field trips and the optional tour of Berlin, where you can explore its history and exciting and diverse cultural life.
  • Immerse yourself in German culture through language, society, sustainability, and European studies.
  • Participate in an internship and gain real world experience in addition to your courses.
  • Experience local living through a homestay.
  • Renewable Resources students (graduate and undergraduate) interested in study abroad should consider direct enrollment courses at Leuphana through USAC.
  • Explore the local Christmas markets, castles and palaces.
  • Hike the Harz Mountains or take an adventure by bike, bus, or high-speed train.
  • The USAC Resident Director and staff are present on-site full-time to welcome and support you during your term abroad.

Why Study in Lüneburg?

Student walking the historic streets in Lüneburg, Germany.

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 former East Germany, providing a unique vantage point from which to study the dynamics of reunification.

During the semester, the program offers three diverse academic areas: German Language, Literature, and European Studies. The intensive language approach allows you to complete up to two years of university language requirements in one semester. 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. You may choose to stay for one semester or a full year.

The summer Lüneburg program offers two five-week sessions that can be combined for a 10-week session. An intensive language approach allows you to complete up to one semester of language study in five weeks, or a year in ten weeks; you can choose courses from: Intensive German Language and German and European Studies. However, the academic courses are only a part of the intended value of a program abroad. Participation in cultural activities, festivals, field trips and an optional tour to Berlin also form an integral part of the program.