Spring Break
German, Chinese immersion programs have new cultural experiences in store for URI
Kathleen McKiernan
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: News
02/12/09 - The University of Rhode Island might resemble Germany this summer as the German Summer School of the Atlantic holds its 29th annual cultural immersion program for students wishing to learn the language.
In addition to the German program, URI will host the first Chinese Summer Immersion Program as well.
"With this program, you typically learn better than in the average year," Norbert Hedderich, professor of German studies at URI and director of the German Summer School, said. "The intensive nature of this program allows professors to do things they can't do in the regular school year. It opens up the possibilities."
During the German school, participants live on campus in the International Engineering Program House during a three- or six-week program, where they are totally immersed in the German culture and language. Students pledge to only speak German for the duration of the program.
Held from June 21 to July 31, the program is taught mostly by professors from Germany.
Hedderich said about 50 students will participate and students will come from all around the country.
"URI students are not in the majority," Hedderich said. "Of 50 students, there are 10 URI students usually."
In addition to learning the German language, students can partake in cultural activities during the six weeks, including theater, writing or watching subtitled German films for beginners.
Intermediate and advanced students have the opportunity to take certification exams from the Goethe Institute, which promotes German study abroad and is partially sponsoring the school along with the German government and the Max Kade Foundation.
During the program, students take one core class made up of two, three-week sessions. Hedderich said there are four hours of instruction, then cultural activities in the afternoon. He added all skill levels are welcome in the program, adding that each of the four different levels enrolls at least 10 students.
In addition to the German program, URI will host the first Chinese Summer Immersion Program as well.
"With this program, you typically learn better than in the average year," Norbert Hedderich, professor of German studies at URI and director of the German Summer School, said. "The intensive nature of this program allows professors to do things they can't do in the regular school year. It opens up the possibilities."
During the German school, participants live on campus in the International Engineering Program House during a three- or six-week program, where they are totally immersed in the German culture and language. Students pledge to only speak German for the duration of the program.
Held from June 21 to July 31, the program is taught mostly by professors from Germany.
Hedderich said about 50 students will participate and students will come from all around the country.
"URI students are not in the majority," Hedderich said. "Of 50 students, there are 10 URI students usually."
In addition to learning the German language, students can partake in cultural activities during the six weeks, including theater, writing or watching subtitled German films for beginners.
Intermediate and advanced students have the opportunity to take certification exams from the Goethe Institute, which promotes German study abroad and is partially sponsoring the school along with the German government and the Max Kade Foundation.
During the program, students take one core class made up of two, three-week sessions. Hedderich said there are four hours of instruction, then cultural activities in the afternoon. He added all skill levels are welcome in the program, adding that each of the four different levels enrolls at least 10 students.
