Academic Advice

• The earliest you can go abroad is the summer of your first year.
• Students may fulfill General Education Foundation and Issues requirements abroad
• Students taking at least 3 credits abroad will fulfill their Global Perspectives requirement
• Do students need to speak perfect German? No! Students may pursue language courses for beginners or literature and culture courses for more advanced students. Some programs offer courses in English.
• The opportunity to speak and hear a second language daily and in its native context will strengthen students' language abilities exponentially and allow them to gain a level of confidence that is difficult to achieve in an American classroom.
• Employers and professional schools today seek applicants with significant cross-cultural experience.
• Students should look for programs that offer significant cultural integration. Deep involvement in the host culture leads to personal growth and instills cross-cultural skills.
• Students are encouraged to consider programs that get them into classes with host-country students at a host university and programs that get them out of the classroom and into the community.
• Plan your German course sequence carefully so that you can continue with your language program upon your return.
• Ideally, complete two years of German at GVSU prior to studying abroad in order to maximize your language skills overseas.

To determine the GVSU course equivalencies for courses taken abroad, please visit our Course Approval page. 

Once you have selected a program, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to discuss your plans.