Germany: Munich

The Year of Study in Munich is a two-semester study abroad program which was established by Lewis & Clark College at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in 1972. The program was one of the first full-year programs of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, and it is accredited by the University of Munich. Every year 20-30 students from Lewis & Clark College, Northwestern University, Reed College, University of Puget Sound and other U.S. institutions participate in the program. They live together with German and international students in the Studentenstadt.

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, which is the southernmost of the German states. Outside Munich there is rich farmland, beautiful lakes and rivers and, of course, the Alps. On a clear day the mountains are visible from Munich, especially during Föhn, the dry warm wind which is similar to the Northwest’s “Chinook”. Like all big cities, Munich has many different parts. The downtown area is made up almost entirely of pedestrian areas from which all traffic is barred. The well-known neo-Gothic Rathaus is located there and many cafes pour out into the wide sidewalks for people to sit during the summer. Around the university and along Ludwigstrasse is the part of town called Schwabing. Here you will find student bars, cafes, art galleries and restaurants. When the weather gets warm, residents walk and sit along the banks of the Isar River, which flows through the center of Munich. All of these areas are connected by streetcar or by Munich’s clean and efficient subway, which was built for the 1972 Olympics. Despite its large size, Munich has an extremely low crime rate and it is safe to walk at night through the streets. You will find that Germans walk much more than Americans and that they also take advantage of the superb public transportation system.

The academic program starts with a five-week “pre-semester,” which allows students to take intensive language courses and improve their German language skills before the official semester begins. During the winter semester (mid-October to mid-February) and the summer semester (mid-April to mid-July), students may enroll in courses offered by the Lewis & Clark Institute (LCI) as well as at the University of Munich, the Technical University, and in special cases, the Conservatory of Music. This program supports a wide range of majors, including, but not limited to, German Studies.

Onsite Staff: The resident director for the Year of Study in Munich program is Ralf Saborrosch. Born in Cologne, Ralf has been living in Munich for more than ten years. He studied at the Universities of Cologne and Siegen, at the University of Houston and at Harvard University. As Resident Director, Ralf oversees the program in Munich as well as students’ academic progress at the University. To him, working for the Year of Study in Munich is a very special challenge: “I know from my own experience how incredibly important and rewarding a year abroad is. Young people start growing abroad. They start Foreign Languages: seeing themselves, their own country, other people and foreign cultures from a completely new perspective. When they go back, they take something with them which lasts a lifetime. It is just great to be part of this unique experience.”

Requirements Fulfilled:

General Education - This program fulfills the Global Perspectives general education requirement for students who successfully complete 8 or more semester credits.

Major Requirements: This program fulfills the overseas study requirement for the German Studies major and the World Languages overseas study requirement with German as the primary language.

Credits: 16 credits (4 courses)

Curriculum: The Year of Study in Munich offers a wide range of courses through the Lewis & Clark Institute, including German language, literature, theater, contemporary culture and art history, which complement offerings at the University of Munich. A complete list of LCI courses can be found here. Students may also choose from curriculum offerings at the University of Munich. All students must arrange with major departments and the Registrar’s Office for possible credit prior to departure.

Excursions: During the orientation period, students will go on excursions to Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Augsburg, in order to become more familiar with the history and culture of the state of Bavaria. A one-week trip will take students to Berlin, Germany’s capital and a vibrant metropolis. In the spring semester, excursions may include Weimar, Dresden, Prague and/or Vienna.

Housing: The Studentenstadt, or “student city,” consists of dorms of various sizes, from “bungalows” (2-story buildings), to Hochhäuser (8-story buildings). Within the Studentenstadt there are music practice rooms, a bakery, a gym, tennis courts, a library, and several bars where students can get something to eat or drink. There are two discos, “Mad Max” and “Underground.” Intramural sports are also offered. Washing machines are located in each dorm and Internet access is available in every room.

Each student has his or her own spacious room complete with a bed and bedding, a sink, a closet, bookshelves, a desk, and a chair. Students share a bathroom with other students on the floor. Each floor has a kitchen and a lounge with a TV and a space to eat. One of the best ways to get to know floormates is to cook and eat with them. Not only do students make new acquaintances, but they also improve their German!

Cultural Activities: The Mentoring Program offers a variety of exciting events and fun activities throughout the year: carnival celebrations, hikes through the beautiful Bavarian landscape, or a visit to a Bavarian farm. Smaller get-togethers include going for lunch or cooking dinner together, exploring the various coffee houses, and having picnics in the English Garden.

Winter Break: Students have a variety of options for the two-month break between the winter and summer semesters. Each year, students have the opportunity to apply for travel grants in order to research a topic related to German culture, economy or politics. During the semester break, they travel through Germany, meet with representatives from German institutions, and write a report on what they have learned. Learn more about the travel grant here.

Another option for students during the break is to complete an internship. LCI staff help students find internships in relevant fields, giving them the opportunity to gain practical international work experience. Read what past students have said about their internship experiences here.

“Don’t be afraid to try to make friends with the Germans, try to engage with the Studentenstadt community in as many ways as possible.”

“It doesn’t matter if your German is good or not. It doesn’t matter if it’s worse than it was the day before or last week. If you hyperfocus on the difficulties and pitfalls of speaking a new language you will struggle more to enjoy it. Trust in the process and speak as much as you can.”

“Don’t assume that the people around in your dorm and general dorm culture will be the same as Lewis & Clark”

“The 29 Euro/month public transport ticket is absolutely worth it and should be acquired immediately.”

2026-2027 Fee Breakdown*

Total Fee (per semester, includes Tuition, Program Fee, and Health & Wellness Fee): $44,791

Tuition: $35,329

Program Fee: $9,425

Health & Wellness Fee: $37**

Included in the program fee are room/housing, board/meals, and administrative fees. Not included are airfare, passport and visa expenses, primary insurance coverage, photographs, books, immunizations, and incidentals.

*Fees are updated every February for the following academic year and are per semester costs

**The Health & Wellness Fee supports the operations of Wellness Services staff in delivering pre-program orientation services, as well as in providing health-related consultation regarding participant health needs. All students in the College of Arts and Sciences pay a mandatory fee of $37 per semester. The fee will be waived for non-Lewis & Clark participants.

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend to cover the cost of meals and transportation costs not covered by the program fee.

Estimated Airfare (Round Trip PDX to MUC): $800 - $1,500

Estimated Travel Document Fees: $65 - $100*

Estimated Health Insurance Fee: $1,906

*This cost is for visa application and processing fees only. Non-US passport holders may be required to attend an in-person visa appointment and may have additional travel costs.

All students participating in overseas programs are automatically enrolled in iNext, a supplemental travel insurance program. The fee for iNext is covered in the program cost. However, students are also required to have comprehensive health insurance during their time abroad. All students participating in overseas programs, both abroad and domestic, are automatically enrolled in the College’s student health insurance program. Similar to a regular semester on-campus, students participating in overseas programs may waive enrollment in the student health insurance program if they have other comprehensive health insurance (e.g., through a parent, guardian or employer) that 1) provides coverage for them in the geographic region in which they will be studying and 2) includes mental health benefits. Find more information regarding health insurance & overseas programs.

Physical Requirements:

Before applying to this program, you should assess and determine if you are physically and/or emotionally able to participate in the following physical demands required by some of this program’s activities:

• Walking or hiking up to 5 miles in a day, sometimes for two or more days in a row, sometimes on hilly, uneven, or cobbled terrain
• Climbing and descending stairs
• Using public transportation, including sometimes crowded buses or trains
• Standing for long periods during tours and site visits
• Entering into older buildings with narrow and sometimes steep staircases, at times with limited or no access to elevators
• The possibility of warm/hot temperatures while residing in locations without air conditioning, and/or cold temperatures while residing in locations with a comfort for lower indoor temperatures
• The possibility of long, busy days with little downtime and infrequent days off from program activities

If you have questions or are concerned about these or any other program activities, please contact the Lewis & Clark College Overseas & Off-Campus Programs office (overseas@lclark.edu).

Application Process: Students interested in applying to the Year of Study in Munich program should refer to the Munich-specific application instructions.

Travel: Students usually fly into the Munich airport (MUC), where they are picked up by a program assistant if they arrive within several pre-arranged dates.

Visa: U.S. students do not need to apply for a visa in advance since they will be allowed to enter Germany with just the U.S. passport. Upon arrival, the program staff in Munich will process the visa applications for all U.S. program participants. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not belong to a Schengen Country (European Union), you will need to apply for your visa ahead of time.

Country-Specific Health Information: View specific health information for people traveling to Germany.

State Department Country Information: Visit the State Department’s Germany page.