Germany » Baden-Württemberg » Introduction to Baden-Württemberg

HISTORIC STATE-TO-STATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

In existence for over 40 years, this exchange program between the state of Oregon and the state of Baden-Württemberg has given several generations of Oregon students the opportunity to live and study at one of thirteen universities in one of Germany’s most prosperous and scenic regions. 

In the southwest corner of Germany, Baden-Württemberg is home to some of the oldest, most renowned and prestigious universities in Germany.  It also offers a particularly attractive living environment:  carefully tended villages; interesting urban town centers; the beautiful landscapes of the Black Forest, Neckar River Valley, Lake Constance, and Swabian Alps; and much historical, cultural, and artistic diversity. 

On this exchange program, students can take German language/culture courses and/or regular courses in almost any field of study at the German university.  The program is suitable for all students who have completed two years or more of college-level German or the equivalent. Students with only one year of college-level German can also apply, but are limited to the University of Tübingen, a lovely university town where the Oregon Study Center is located.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Encompassing thirteen different universities with various specialty areas, the Baden-Württemberg program offers a wide variety of disciplines and courses.

• Several Baden-Württemberg universities (Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Konstanz, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Tübingen,  and Ulm) were among the winners of funding for the so-called “Excellence Initiative” by the German government. They are ranked among the top universities in Germany.

• The University of Heidelberg is the oldest university in Germany. It was founded in 1457.

• Baden-Württemberg borders Switzerland and France, and is a great starting point for traveling in Europe.

• Freiburg has a reputation for being Germany’s “greenest city.”

• An experienced full-time Resident Director in the Oregon Study Center in Tübingen provides on-site support to students.

The Oregon University System International Programs are cooperative programs to which all students in public universities in Oregon and select private partner universities have access. The programs are predominately reciprocal exchanges that not only send students abroad, but also bring students to Oregon campuses. It is through these direct relationships that students and faculty connect with partner institutions abroad and bring diversity to Oregon universities.