Dr. Fred Thompson

General Information

From time to time, I am asked about whether travelling through a country for 90 days is accepted for getting the stay abroad acknowledged. It is imperative to make an important distinction here. What may be acceptable from the angle of the module handbook may not be the best overall option for your own personal growth. It is true that there are only two requirements in the module handbook: (1) a country where English is an official language and (2) a minimum of three full months (i.e. 90 days). If you only take these two requirements into account, you will be doing yourself a disservice in the long run.

Going abroad is much more than just credit points or some kind of notation in KLIPS. The stay abroad is, for most of us, a once in a life-time experience, where we can embrace a foreign culture, make new friends, see new places and improve our English-language skills. While all of these aspects are important in their own right, I am most interested in the last point: The improvement of your English-language skills.

Before leaving Germany, you should already have a strategic plan for achieving this goal. Simply travelling around a country, similar to a tourist with an extended-stay visa, is perhaps not the wisest option. The reasons for this should be obvious. Likewise, being an au pair for an infant and a two-year-old, for example, with little contact with the outside world is also an unwise decision. Instead, give careful thought as to how much exposure to “real” English you will be exposed to while abroad. You are responsible for ensuring that you have as much exposure as possible, so that you can reach your ultimate goal of achieving impeccable English-language skills.

I can perhaps give you a couple of suggestions. Attending an evening class at a local school (e.g. Volkshochschule), joining a special-interest group (e.g. book club, sport club, etc.), volunteering for a charity, visiting a church or other religious affiliation, etc. are a few examples that are often not considered. Perhaps you want to continue studying full-time while abroad. The English department also has a limited number of spots at our partner universities, so that the hefty host-university study fees can be waived. For even more ideas, why not attend the department's special stay-abroad event: Ich bin dann mal weg. In WS 2022/23, this event will take place on December 14, 2022. For more details, please check online.

I hope I could provide you with some helpful insights before you embark on this very exciting and important journey!

Covid-19

Currently, the international boarders to many (if not all) countries where English is an official language are open. Individual countries may have regulations concerning vaccinations, mask-wearing procedures, etc. that are not in line with those of Germany. In any case, you are responsible for informing yourself in advance and obeying the guidelines/laws of your respective host country.

Should a lockdown of international boarders occur again, I will post updated information here at that time.

Forms for the Accreditation of the Mandatory Stay Abroad

Please note that there are two separate forms - but you only fill out one of them. There is a form for those of you who began your studies before WS 2021/22 (in other words, SS 2021 was the last possible semester to commence your studies with us in the "old" program) and another form for those who started as of WS 2021/22 (after re-accreditation).

Click on ANERKENNUNG STAY ABROAD to the left of your screen for these forms. You must complete the correct form as well as submit copies of your proof (e.g. transcript of records, boarding passes, letter of recommendation, tenancy agreement, etc.).