Studying Abroad
Regulations
According to study regulations, students of the expiring Magister major study course have to spend 6 months in an English-speaking country; for students of Magister minor and State exam courses 3 months are obligatory.
BA and BEd students must provide evidence of having spent 10 weeks in an English-speaking country. In order to make the most of the language and culture immersion and to gain individual benefits from your stay abroad, we appeal to Bachelor students to go abroad for at least 6 months, too. This moreover offers you the chance of studying abroad or working as an assistant teacher.
Opportunities
There is a number of different opportunities for your mandatory stay abroad: You could study for one or two terms at a foreign university within the framework of ERASMUS or another student exchange programme. You could also organise your study abroad on your own. Further, you could work as an assistant teacher or do an internship. Finally, it is even possible to do work and travel.
You have to organise your stay abroad individually. Our department cannot provide internships or university places; however, we are happy to help and advise you.
Information
The International Office at TU Dresden (Akademisches Auslandsamt) provides detailed information on how to plan, finance and do your stay abroad. You can have a look at information materials and read first-hand reports at the Infocenter. Moreover, the International Office offers individual guidance, and you can take part in orientation meetings and apply for grants.
Akademisches Auslandsamt
Strehlener Str. 22, 6. OG
01069 Dresden
Planning
Start organising your stay abroad in good time. About 1 1/2 years before your stay abroad you should start to inform yourself. Pay attention to deadlines for applications for grants and university places. Usually, you have to hand in your application about 6 months before you leave. If you plan to do an internship, you might have to apply even earlier (up to 12 months before your stay).
Studying part-time at one of your partner universities
Our department is part of international student exchange programmes with partner universities in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the USA, India and outher countries. The Chair of British Cultural Studies is your contact for the British Isles and India.
Our partner universities are the University of Warwick in the UK, the National University of Ireland in Galway and the Institute of Technology Tallaght in Dublin.
UK and Ireland
You could study in Warwick, Tallaght und Galway as part of the ERASMUS programme. Generally, you stay for one year. Only in Tallaght it is possible to spend a single semester. There are 3 places for studying in Warwick und Tallaght and one place for Galway.
Preconditions for taking part in the ERASMUS programme:
- finished basic studies / 3rd year BA
Applications:
- Deadline: end of March for the following academic year
- Hand in:
- Motivation letter
- CV
- List of all your courses and marks
Moreover, our department has got academic relations with the English Departments of the Universities of Cracow and Venice, where you could spend a year as part of the ERASMUS programme.
Language Assistant
Language Assistents support German lessons at foreign schools by answering questions of both teachers and pupils with regards to German language and culture. Not only BEd students, but also those who wish to work as free lance teachers after graduation this might be a perfect chance to gain first hand experience of teaching and improving your command of English at the same time.
Again, you could take part in an organised programme or organise your stay abroad on your own.
The German Exchange Service for Teachers (PAD) organises and finances stays in Europe and the USA for Language Assistants for one year. You can get detailed information on preconditions and applications at the International Office.
If you wish to work as a Language Assistant for a shorter period than one year or if you cannot take part in the PAD programme, you could also try to find a school on your own. Private or independent schools might be interested in Language Assistants in particular. Again ask at the International Office.
Moreover, you could teach German at private language schools, at foreign universities and at the Goethe Institut. For that, first teaching experience is usually required.
Internship abroad
If you intend to gain some practical experiences abroad, you can also do an internship. Have a look at the Yellow Pages or at the Job Advertisements of local as well as German companies abroad. Further, you could also do an internship at one of the German institutions and organisations abroad.
You can get more information on working abroad from ZAV, which is part of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. There are also commercial organisations which offer help finding places for an internship abroad. DAAD also offers grants for three months internships abroad. Ask at the International Office.