The International Spring Course is held in March immediately before the start of our Summer Semester and offers 3 weeks of instruction in the German language, with a focus on basic grammar, cultural background, text production and communicative skills.

The special character of the International Spring Course lies in its programme of individual mentoring. Not only does this approach help your students to get acquainted with the University, but it also introduces them to the city of Giessen and everyday life in Giessen as well as its environs. The International Spring Course also organises trips to diverse places all over Germany as well as interactive workshops. At the end of the Spring Course, participants receive a certificate indicating the number of ECTS points (3) obtained.

The International Spring Course is not only ideal for exchange students of our partner university, but also for all international students who would like to improve their knowledge of German and get to know the university and the city of Giessen.

Further information can be found on our website: www.uni-giessen.de/springcourse

The program brochure can be found here.

Application deadline

15 January, 2025

Who is this program for?

Undergraduate students in good academic standing who will have completed 2 years of Bachelor studies by the end of Winter 2024. This is an interdisciplinary course. Students and working professionals from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Fees and costs

Tuition: € 600 for international students

Accommodation: € 468 for the duration of the course from 13.3. to 04.04.2025 (including linen, utilities, and internet access; Exchange students who will stay for at least one semester have to pay a monthly rent of € 431 & refundable deposit of € 250)

Deposit: € 250 (refunded at the end of your stay, a service charge is deducted)
Cost of living: around € 400 per month
Health insurance: around € 130 per month

Immigration

It is strongly recommended to start the visa application process as soon as students receive their acceptance letter so to avoid any delay. For information on visas, please visit the website of the German Missions in Canada https://canada.diplo.de/ca-en/consular-services/visa/shortstay. To find out if you need a visa, click on “Do I need a visa?” here https://canada.diplo.de/ca-en/consular-services/visa/shortstay#content_1.

If you need a Schengen visa, the visa process for residents of Nova Scotia will be overseen by the Austrian Embassy in Ottawa (as referenced in “Where do I submit my visa application?” here https://canada.diplo.de/ca-en/consular-services/visa/where-to-submit-visa-application/1308212.)

Please review the Austrian Embassy website thoroughly here to prepare your visa application: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-ottawa/travel-information-on-austria/entrance-and-residence/how-to-apply.
When you book your visa application appointment, your application will be managed through VFS Global’s Visa Application Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, the official visa application centre for the Embassy of Australia in Canada.

Questions related to the visa application process should be directed to VFS Global by email at info.austria_can@vfsglobal.com or the Austrian Embassy in Ottawa at Ottawa-ob@bmeia.gv.at.

Transfer credits

Students may be able to earn credits to the extent that those credits are applicable to the program requirements of your SMU degree. Please meet with your academic advisor of your program (visit https://www.smu.ca/academics/academic-advising.html) to see if any of your remaining degree requirements can be completed at another university. If your advisor confirms that there is room for transfer credits in your degree, you will request approval to take courses for transfer credits by submitting a Letter of Permission Request Form (found here https://www.smu.ca/academics/student-forms.html) to the SMU Records Office as soon as your acceptance is confirmed.

Funding

Limited funding may be available; contact the Global Learning Office

How to apply

Interested students should submit the SMU Exchange Program application to the Global Learning Office.

*To complete your application, you will:

fill out your Study Abroad Application (https://studio.smu.ca/s/StudyAbroadApplication2021.pdf)
write a one-page letter of intent (Tip: book an appointment with The Writing Centre or ask if personal statement workshops are coming up https://studio.smu.ca/wc-student-tutoring)
print in pdf your unofficial transcript from banner and
prepare your resume.

Once you have all four pieces of application documents, upload them at the application link here https://smuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55UpfboKu5sImUe.

In addition to the above, please have two letters of reference emailed to Global@smu.ca. At least one letter needs to be written by your Saint Mary’s course instructor.

If you want to know more about what should be included in your letter of intent, or if your professor would like to know what to include in their reference letter, please refer to the Study Abroad Information Package found here https://studio.smu.ca/apply.

What happens after you apply?

If you are selected, you will be nominated to the host university by the SMU Global Learning Office, and the rest of the pre-departure steps will be explained.