Lafayette Visiting Program

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Program History

Lafayette College, located in Easton, Pennsylvania is one of Jacobs University's oldest and best established visiting programs. Each Spring, a cohort of Lafayette students spends a semester on the Jacobs University campus in Bremen, Germany, accompanied by a member of the Lafayette faculty. This long-standing partnership that emerged in 2005 has been successful both academically and personally for the students involved, particularly because of the specific engineering orientation of the program.

Orientation Days

Adjusting to a new university, a new country and a new language can be challenging and exciting. To help Lafayette students get to know their host university and to feel ready to fully engage in their new community, Jacobs University sets up an annual orientation program. The orientation program, like all courses and events on campus, is held in English.

Please note that attendance at events during the Orientation program is mandatory for all Lafayette students. Detailed programs can be downloaded here:

Spring 2013
Spring 2012
Spring 2011
Spring 2010
Spring 2009
Spring 2008

Academics

Lafayette students are very much encouraged to explore the many different courses at Jacobs University -in particular the unique transdisciplinary University Studies Courses (USCs). In cooperation with Lafayette, students will also be offered tailor-made courses needed to continue their home academic program uninterrupted. Previous years' engineering students, for example, have been offered tailor-made courses in physical chemistry, etc. required by their home institution.This will often include courses offered by the students' accompanying Lafayette professor.

One of the most unique academic aspects of visiting Jacobs University is the opportunity to take the tailor-made "German Politics and Culture" course. This will allow Lafayette students to explore the most important aspects of politics, history and culture of their host country.
German
German Politics and Culture Syllabus 2013
German Politics and Culture Syllabus 2012
German Politics and Culture Syllabus 2011
German Politics and Culture Syllabus 2010
German Politics and Culture Syllabus 2009
German Politics and Culture Syllabus 2008

Excursions

To complement what students learn in the classroom in courses such as "German Politics and Culture," and to provide them with the chance to get to know Europe, a number of excursions are often organized beyond the Bremen area. Typical destinations include Berlin, Germany's capital, and Brussels, one of the most important administrative centers of the European Union.

One of the annual highlights of the Lafayette excursion program is the trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. Please use this internal link for valuable information before leaving for the trip.

Students often want to take advantage of Bremen's central location in Europe to organize their own travel. The staff in the International Office and other Jacobs University students are well equipped to provide advice for economical, fun and exciting travel options. With discount airlines and great rail connections, students are just a short trip away from Munich, Vienna, Rome, Paris, London or Stockholm.

Regional Activities

Students don't need to go far afield to discover fascinating history and vibrant culture. Bremen is an important and historical trading center in Northern Germany and students are given the chance to explore important sights in the city and beyond. Located close to the North Sea, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen was essential as a trading port and, later, ship-building center. It is loved for its beautiful old town (including the must-see Schnoor district with visible structures from the early 13th Century), its famous Bremen Town Hall Musicians (subject of a famous fairytale), its delicious traditional Northern German dishes and its lively student neighborhood (the Viertel).

Typical sites in Bremen include the local Mercedes Benz factory and the Bremen Parliament. In the nearby region, students visit the Bremerhaven Emigration Centre, the sobering Bergen-Belsen Memorial Camp, and the Werder Bremen soccer stadium.

Every year's program is unique. Detailed current schedules can be downloaded here:
Spring 2013
Spring 2012
Spring 2011
Spring 2010

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