Overview

This page is a hub of information related to the Argos on the Rhine and MBA Study Abroad trips to Germany in May 2024.  Watch this page for updates!

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Why Study Abroad?

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Trip Dates

Start: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
End: Sunday, May 12, 2024

Destinations

Immerse yourself in cultural activities and company site visits in three countries in just 10 days! Destinations are subject to change during planning phase.

• Mannheim, Germany (main location)
• Strasbourg, France (day visit)
• Lucerne, Switzerland (overnight stay)

Cost

Total cost: $2,750 program fee + course tuition

• Program fee includes: airfare, hotel accommodations, local transportation, excursions, cultural activities, mandatory international health insurance fees, welcome reception, and farewell dinner.
• Program fee does not include: course tuition (AOTR course: $702, MBA: $1,369.50); meals (appx $250); personal expenses and incidentals (appx $250, depending on your personal activities and purchases); international mobile phone plan (required)

Funding Opportunity: Students may qualify for the UWF Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship to reduce out-of-pocket costs. More information about this funding opportunity will be sent to approved applicants by International Affairs in spring 2024.

Payment Information >>

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this opportunity:

Course registration is dependent upon the status of your Study Abroad Application and compliance with Study Abroad Health Insurance requirements.

Flights

We will depart and return to Pensacola Regional Airport. All participants will travel as a group on the same roundtrip flights. 

• If you do not live locally, please make arrangements to be in Pensacola at least 24 hours before departure on May 1st. Exceptions will not be made.

Airline ticket purchases are dependent upon information obtained in your Study Abroad Application and valid passport. Make sure you have both of these items by the deadlines listed in the Dates & Deadlines calendar.

Submit a Study Abroad Application

To get started, complete a UWF Faculty-Led Study Abroad Application.  Applications are due by November 17, 2023.

Apply Now!

Once your Study Abroad Application is approved, start preparing for May with the following required steps.

Attend Mandatory Meetings

Attendance for all meetings is mandatory. Meeting dates are listed on the Dates & Deadlines calendar.

Make On-Time Payments

The cost of the trip can be paid in five installment payments of $550. Installment deadlines are listed on the Dates & Deadlines calendar. 

Payment Instructions: You will receive an invoice with payment instructions via email.

Purchase an International Phone Plan

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What other "Next Steps" do students need to prep for?

FAQs

Course Info

Financial Aid

Insurance & Legal Documents

UNDER CONSTRUCTION --

TOPICS TO ADD

• Tips for eating out (time, ordering, etc.)
• Weather
• Public Transportation video
• Clothes (pics)
• Classwork expectations

THIS INFO IS COPY/PASTE FROM RICHARD'S Traveling to Germany FAQ DOCUMENT.

Technology & Electronical Devices

1. Will my phone work?
   If you have a recent iPhone or Droid phone, yes.
2. What about that expensive roaming data?
   This has gotten somewhat better in recent years. It often means, however, purchasing an extra plan before you leave. For T-Mobile customers, data is free but slow (fast data is an extra purchase).
3. What about Wi-Fi?
   Free at most hotels, a bit less common at German restaurants and other businesses.
4. What about my phone/tablet/laptop charger?
   With an adapter. We love the OREI Grounded Universal 2 in 1 plugs (about $7 at Amazon)
5. What about hair dryer/straightener/razor?
   Some of these products have 110-220V Worldwide Voltage capability. Check yours.

Money

1. How do I get euros?
   “Using ATMs abroad is the most effective way to get money when traveling. But some banks will charge a foreign currency rip-off fee that usually starts at $9 or $10 per transaction! That's outrageous.”

“If you're with a big bank, check to see if they're part of any alliance where you can use ATMs fee free in other countries (for Bank of America, Deutsche Bank). Simply tell them what country you're going to and they can tell you if there's a fee-free alliance partner bank there.”
“You can also get fee-free ATM transactions abroad with most Capital One cards.”

Source: http://www.clarkhoward.com/handling-your-money-overseas (February 21, 2019)

1. What about my credit cards?
   If you have a new one with a chip (and you know the PIN), you will have no problem using it. For a magnetic stripe, our experience is they will take it at department stores and hotels, but not at restaurants.  In either case, notify the card issuer before you go or they may block the charge.  Note: the card issuer will convert euros to dollars, but at a fee.

When you shop for coffee or a snack (and basically any small amount of money) make sure you have cash. Many places (like bakeries or kiosks) either do not accept credit cards at all or only if you spend more than 20 Euros.

Other

1. Do the people speak English?
   The vast majority of Germans speak very good English. Some immigrants to Germany do not.
2. Is it all schnitzel, pretzels and huge beers?
   No, food in Germany can be very healthy (salads are very popular), or very American (our fast food chains) or very traditional German. Gyros (called doner), kebab, pizza and other Italian dishes are also very popular. Since Germans love, and have, great bread, we will share the takeaway sandwich approach for inexpensive eating.

For beverages, some areas are wine producing and local products are always popular. Bottled water and soft drinks are common, and you can get most conveniently (and reasonably priced) at local supermarkets or convenience stores (drug stores) such as Rossmann, Müller, or dm. Soft drinks at kiosks and in bakeries are usually over-priced. Also: when you order a drink in restaurant, there are no refills.

1. What about laundry?
   You should pack to minimize the need, but we have some tips in and near the accommodation so ask. For example, we all wash microfiber apparel in the hotel bathtub and hang it up for a quick dry.
2. Any tips for the trip over?
   We like the neck pillow, noise cancelling headphones and a spare battery. Also, take a picture of your passport information and email the picture to yourself (we use to keep a photocopy in our suitcase, we like this better).
3. Public Restrooms are not free, costing anywhere from 30 cents up to 1 Euro (in cash, of course). If they are clean, we don’t mind!
4. Pharmacies. You can get medication against common cold symptoms, headaches, toothaches, and digestive problems etc. at pharmacies over the counter (they are everywhere, but expensive so bring ibuprofen/aspirin type products if you know will use them). For more serious health problems, you will need to see a doctor and UWF Study Abroad Services has spent a lot of time researching insurance programs to make this easy.
5. Air Conditioning. One surprise in Germany is that air conditioning isn’t popular.  Trains, buses, department stores, McDonalds etc. have it, but many affluent Germans do not.  On hot days, we employ strategies to stay cool and take an extra shower.

Select Cultural Norms

• Be quiet after 10pm, before 6am, and on weekends
• Leaving a lot of food on your plate is considered somewhat impolite
• It is polite to regularly use the terms danke (thank you) and bitte (you’re welcome)
• T-Shirts with weird, political, funny, etc. slogans/pictures on them -- do not bring them
• For tours, wear business casual attire is appropriate
• For the final evening dinner, wear business professional attire
• Don’t be late