Freiburg, Germany

Environmental Studies & Sustainability

Study Abroad
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

About the Program

Known for taking the lead in the development of eco-friendly technologies and architecture, Freiburg attracts top researchers and environmental organizations from around the world. This English-taught program allows you to explore topics in disciplines like Environmental Studies, Forest Ecology, and Sustainability while living in Freiburg, located near the beautiful Black Forest and Rhine River Valley.

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Dive Deep into Environmental Studies

Most courses are organized as focused three-week modules.

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Study at a Local University

Take some modules in the Department of Environment & Natural Resources.

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Join University Events and Cultural Activities

A number of events and activities are available to you.

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Meet with a Language Partner

Freiburg staff assists you in finding a German language “tandem” partner.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

August 26 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
23,450

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Spencer Biery

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

An arial shot of Freiburg, Germany.

Why Freiburg?

The environmental movement took root in Freiburg long ago—and now it’s a way of life. Known for taking the lead in the development of eco-friendly technologies and architecture, Freiburg also attracts researchers and environmental organizations from around the world. Come study Freiburg’s many unique contributions to this important movement.

Learn More About Freiburg

Get to Know Your New City

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Appreciate the Architecture

Take in Freiburg’s colorful architecture.

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(Don't) Step in the Bächle

Navigate the narrow channels of water that run through the streets.

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Hike, Cycle, & Climb the Black Forest

Germany’s densely forested area is right in Freiburg’s back yard.

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Take in the Views from the Schauinsland

A rigorous hike or an easy cable car will take you to the top of this hill.

The Student Experience

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Housing

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  • Apartment

Apartment

You'll live in a private single-occupancy room in a coed suite with a shared kitchen and bath. Suites are shared with German and international students, and have Internet access. 

Students usually prepare meals at home or dine in Freiburg’s affordable student cafeterias. Meals are not included in the program fee. 

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

We offer unique courses—some with field study opportunities—that explore environmental studies, sustainability, and other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and give you new perspectives each day in class. A limited number of course options are available at the prestigious Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, as well.

Partner Institution

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  • Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

One of the oldest and most respected universities, the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg consistently ranks as one of the top institutions of higher education in the country.

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Courses

You take 15-19 credits per semester. Environmental Studies courses are worth 3 credits each and are taught in English. Language courses are 3 or 4 credits each and are taught in German. Courses are held Monday through Friday. 

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components: 

  • German language course (required, 3 credits; optional extension for 1 additional credit) 
  • Four consecutive Environmental Studies courses (required, 3 credits each) 
  • Optional post-program module or research assistantship (2-3 credits) 

Academic Structure

Language Intensive

  • German Language intensive course (required, 3 credits)

Module 1 (3 weeks)

  • Environmental Studies module
  • German Language - extension (1 credit; optional)

Module 2 (3 weeks)

  • Environmental Studies module
  • German Language - extension (1 credit; optional)

Module 3 (3 weeks)

  • Environmental Studies module
  • German Language - extension (1 credit; optional)

Module 4 (3 weeks)

  • Environmental Studies module
  • German Language - extension (1 credit; optional)

Post-Program Options

  • Optional Environmental Studies Module offered at the University (3 credits, additional charge)
  • Optional Research Assistantship with a faculty at the University (2 or 3 credits, additional charge)

German Language Course

The program begins with orientation and a required three-week intensive German course at the University for 3 credits. You continue your German study for three hours per week during the regular university semester to earn an additional 1 credit of German. 

Field Study

Several of our courses offer field study opportunities, which allow you to go beyond the classroom and take a hands-on approach to learning about the environment and sustainability. Through these field studies, you will get to know many local organizations, sustainable farms, and neighborhoods in the region. Some of these field studies will even take you to completely new landscapes, such as the Swiss Alps!

  • Freiburg Green City (Vauban): The ambitious environmental policies of the "Green City" Freiburg are evident everywhere you go in the city, but nowhere more than the neighborhood of Vauban, which has been leading the way in sustainable urban planning since the 1990s.
  • Freiburg City Hall: Be prepared to be impressed by the new Freiburg City Hall, which became the world's first public building net-surplus-energy building when it was completed in 2018. And in Germany’s sunniest city, there is no shortage of sunlight to be captured by the nearly 900 solar panels found on its surfaces.
  • Sustainable Food & Agriculture: Get a true taste of sustainable food and agriculture practices by visiting local farms and organizations that are putting innovative ideas into action.

Four Consecutive Environmental Studies Courses 

The Environmental Studies courses are “modules,” where you take one course at a time for three weeks. Courses are taught in English, and most courses are taught by IES Abroad. A limited number of modules may be offered in the Master’s degree program in the Department of Forestry and Ecology Management at the Albert-Ludwigs- Universität Freiburg. Modules at the University are taught at a first-year graduate level but are appropriate for undergraduate IES Abroad students. Tutorial support is available. Students from the same department at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität may enroll in IES Abroad-taught Environmental Studies courses. 

Please note that many of the ESS modules utilize Freiburg as a classroom and offer out-of-classroom excursions; these experiential learning opportunities may require additional physical demands. Course syllabi provide more detail on the experiential learning opportunities. Additionally, once on-site, the IES Abroad Freiburg academic advising team can provide more detail as to the physical requirements and expectations of these excursions as you finalize your course selections. For further clarification on course-related physical demands or requests for accommodation, please reach out to your IES Abroad Advisor.   

NOTE: This is a list of tentative course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (10)

Biological Sciences (2)

Course name Term Language Credits
BL/ES 307 - Climate and the Vegetation in the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps Fall English 3
BL/ES 306 - Ecosystem Management Fall, Spring English 3

Partner Institution Courses

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität

German Language Courses 

The university does not provide syllabi for their German language program. They teach Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced language courses according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). You can download a description of CEFR language levels.

Program Extension Options

Optional Post Program Module 

After your program ends, you can spend three weeks furthering your academic experience in Freiburg by participating in an additional 3-credit module in the Department of Forestry and Ecology Management at the University of Freiburg. A separate cost applies and placements are limited. Information about specific post-program modules is available after you arrive in Freiburg. 

Research Assistantships 

You can apply for a research assistantship to work with a University faculty member on a research topic in the field of Environmental Studies. Assistantships are three to six weeks long and take place after the end of the term. All placements are supervised and offered as academic options earning IES Abroad credit. Students participating in the research assistantship cannot participate in the additional optional module. An additional cost applies. Research topic areas and placements may be limited.

Securing an assistantship is a competitive process and placements are not guaranteed. Placements depend on availability, on a student's background and skills, and on the quality of a student’s CV/résumé. Language requirements may apply. Final placements are determined by an on-site interview.  

Examples of assistantships in various departments at the University of Freiburg include: 

  • Department of Forest Biometry:  Focusing on a Forest Resources Inventory, this placement introduces students to forest inventory methods, including the measurement of trees and forest stands. Students may survey with optical and laser instruments; measure Black Forest stands, tree diameters, tree heights, and tree volume; and conduct an analysis of the inventory data. 
  • Department of Vegetation Science:  Students may participate in the current work of various projects such as an overview of the current work in vegetation science, including aims, methods and expected results; development of questionnaires, consultation with Ph.D. students on data analysis and English language, and writing of short reports and literature summaries on selected topics in vegetation science; and participation in excursions in and around Freiburg. 
  • Institute of Forest Growth:  Students may choose a topic of research related to environmental effects on tree growth, including dendroecology, production ecology, and forest management. Students’ tasks may include field work such as the collection of material and field data, and laboratory work such as the measurement of tree-ring parameters, cross-dating, and statistical data analysis. 
  • Institute of Silviculture:  Students may participate in year-ring analysis and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) with the overall aim to find out if thinning can help to increase drought tolerance of crop trees in stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies). Or students may participate in year-ring analysis of stem discs of spruce trees from a stem density trial in Southern Germany, including cross-dating and identifying drought events of existing year-ring scans using special software for dendroecological analysis. Additionally, students may collect NIRS of wood samples, including both preparation and analysis of wood samples from spruce stem discs. 
  • Institute of Forest Zoology:  Students may study the use of nitrogen in insect nutrition in a study that measures the digestive efficiency of herbivorous lepidopteran larvae. 

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Freiburg, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

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Black Forest

3-5 Days Fall & Spring

Study the flora and fauna on a series of day trips hiking through this famous forest, located just outside of Freiburg.

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Vosges Mountains

2 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Travel to France and explore the Vosges Mountains. Hike up and down haut Vosges, enjoy fantastic views of the Rhine River valley, and try out the real pain au chocolate. You'll stay overnight in an alpine hut and dine on delicious Alsatian food and wine.

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Swiss Alps

3 Days Fall & Spring

Hike through the Swiss Alps as you study forest management, forest education, climate, regional climate, and the impact on vegetation. 

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
18,420
Housing
$
4,340
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
22,990

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
18,778
Housing
$
4,427
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,450

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
33,780
Housing
$
8,855
Insurance
$
550
Total
$
43,185

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Freiburg Center is located at the heart of the city. Nearby you’ll find notable landmarks like Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, the Freiburg Theater, and the main shopping district. With classrooms and student lounging space, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Freiburg
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Freiburg. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
During the first week of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore Freiburg before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
On-Site Staff Support
Our experienced, trained, and dedicated local staff are on-site throughout your entire program to ensure you have the support you need during your abroad adventure.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

February 26 - June 15

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

August 26 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Late August - Mid June

Application Deadline:

NOTE: If you choose to take Partner University Courses, your program's end date will be different:

  • Spring 2024: February 26 to July 20 (Postprogram module/research assistantship)

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins - some local university courses may not be available to sophomores 
  • No German language is required 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

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