Summer Education Abroad
Germany Social Work
Germany
3 graduate credits
May 30-June 7, 2009
Matthias Naleppa
$1,495 plus airfare and VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 27, 2009
Status: Program full
The Office of International Education and the School of Social Work at VCU are proud to offer the long-established summer study abroad program to Germany. This program examines social work clinical and policy practice, social pedagogy and the social welfare system of Germany taking in a range of issues including society, culture and history, social work education, the social welfare system, selected social programs, social work clinical and policy practice and comparisons of these topics to those of the U.S.
Course and credit options: 3 VCU credits
SLWK 770: International Social Work Studies
Course description
This course focuses on the German and European systems of social welfare and service delivery and select areas of clinical social work, social policy, social justice and prevention. The nine-day study abroad program includes agency visits, lectures, and field trips.
The program is led by Dr. Matthias Naleppa, VCU School of Social associate professor in the graduate program. He is a native of Germany and has extensive knowledge of the social work systems in Europe with multiple years of experience leading this program.
Registration deadline: March 27, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$1,495 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $1,495 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Breakfast each day
- Most meals
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Germany. Dr. Naleppa will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares you should purchase your ticket prior to April 1.
While in Germany
Agency visits focus on child welfare, substance abuse treatment, mental health, persons with MR/DD, rehabilitation, reintegration and criminal justice, and gerontological social work. Lectures at a German school of social work will cover topics on social work in Germany and Europe and the German social welfare system. Excursions will include visits to Old Town Munich, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles, Gondola ride to the Bavarian Alps, Salzburg (optional) and a Dachau concentration camp.
Students will stay in Bed and Breakfast style accommodations in Grafing, a quaint Bavarian town 25 miles outside of Munich. Most meals are included in the program costs.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $208.55 (per 3 credit class: $619.05); undergraduate out-of-state, $421.20 (per 3 credit class: $1,257); graduate in-state, $428.68 (per 3 credit class: $1,279.44); graduate out-of-state, $543.90 ($1,625.10 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
