4/2/99
Contact: Connie Perdreau, director, Office of Education Abroad
(740)
593-4583
ATHENS, Ohio -- To expand study abroad options available to undergraduate students, Ohio University announced plans today to establish a European Study Center at the University of Leipzig in Leipzig, Germany.
The Ohio University-University of Leipzig European Study Center will provide about 120 Ohio University undergraduate students each year with the opportunity to live in Germany and learn about the political, social and cultural institutions of modern Europe, said Connie Perdreau, director of the Office of Education Abroad.
"As the world gets smaller and our economy becomes more global because,of multinational businesses and the Internet, I believe it is increasingly important that we 'internationalize' the university," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden. "A key part of that is providing opportunities for more of our students to study in other countries."
The new study abroad program "Tier Two in the New Europe" is targeted at sophomores, but juniors may apply. Students will be required to follow a program of study specially designed to meet Ohio University's general education requirements. The courses will be open to University of Leipzig and Ohio University students and taught in English by faculty from both universities. The center's core curriculum will include the study of German language and culture, European media studies, a seminar on modern Europe and other electives, Perdreau said.
Glidden traveled to Leipzig in early March and met with faculty and staff at the University of Leipzig to discuss the creation of the new center. Specific details regarding the center's core curriculum and tuition and fees are still being finalized, but the framework is in place to send the first group of about 15 students to Leipzig next spring. University officials eventually hope to send 40 to 60 students to the center each term, Perdreau said.
Ohio University already has a well-established working relationship with the University of Leipzig, and both the School of Journalism and the Contemporary History Institute have established exchange programs for both students and faculty. In addition, a number of campus faculty and administrators have been involved in developing the new European program, including Perdreau, Provost Sharon Brehm, College of Communication Dean Kathy Krendl, Associate Professor of Journalism Robert Stewart and Chair of the Modern Languages Department Mary Jane Kelly.
"We chose the University of Leipzig because we have such a cordial and cooperative relationship with that institution in several disciplines," Glidden said. "They are eager to have U.S. students because they want their students to learn better English, and they are willing to teach courses in English so that Ohio University students can be enrolled in classes with German students. Leipzig's location also is ideal for trips to such historic cities as Berlin, Dresden, Weimar, Prague, Warsaw and Budapest."
Ohio University students studying in Leipzig will enroll for either a 14-week term in the fall or a 13-week term in the spring. On arrival, all the students will complete a three or four-week intensive German language course, followed by a 10-week term. To qualify for the program, students must complete two quarters of introductory German language classes on the Athens campus.
"Living and studying in another country is a mind-opening experience, particularly when it is a non-English-language-speaking country," Glidden said. "It is my hope that we will eventually have study centers in Central or South America and Asia as well as Europe."
Students interested in participating in the new program in Leipzig should contact the Office of Education Abroad in room 107, Gordy Hall, a building actually named after 1884 University of Leipzig graduate John P. Gordy who taught education, American history, philosophy and pedagogy at Ohio University from 1884 until the 1890s.