Students will reside in the Cultural and Educational Programs Abroad (CEPA) Heidelberg campus, a student residence located about 15 minutes away from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg by cable car or bus.

By Crystale Lopez

The University of the Incarnate Word has opened another door for students to gain knowledge in their discipline, and to study the world. The new Study Abroad Center in Heidelberg, Germany along with sister school SRH Hochschule Heidelberg is accepting students to attend for the fall 2012 semester. Students may also go to the new campus through faculty-led trips this spring and summer 2012.

“The UIW Study Abroad Center in Germany is a great concept and academic program that has come into fruition based on a long time friendship and partnership with the Leibrecht family,” said Dr. Javier Lozano, director of sister schools partnerships. “The Leibrecht family and UIW have been in collaboration for several years offering study abroad opportunities and assistance in several past faculty-led study abroad programs.”

The UIW Study Abroad Center will work in partnership with the new UIW sister school SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, about 15 minutes away from the center by cable car or bus. Students will be able to take courses with UIW professors at the Study Abroad Center, while also taking courses at the sister school.

SRH Hochschule Heidelberg was founded in 1969 and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture, business law, psychology, engineering, industrial engineering and management, information technology, music therapy, physical therapy, and the social sciences. The university has more than 2,400 students enrolled and is one of the oldest and largest private universities in Germany.

All courses will be instructed in English and are transferable. Courses will combine lectures and discussions along with on-site visits to European political and economic institutions, German and multinational corporations, and historical and cultural locations. Students will also have the option to take intensive German language courses.

“The students will not just be going to the Study Abroad Center to study,” said Lozano. “Students will be immersed in the culture and location, and will be able to visit major companies that are in their interest and major.”

Students will live at the UIW Study Abroad Center, located in central Heidelberg, where they will have access to common campus amenities such as wireless internet access, kitchen areas, laundry and recreation facilities, computer labs, a library and more.

According to Lozano, Heidelberg is known for its focus on education and learning, and its cultural scene is also defined by its status of being a “university town.”

“It should be noted that 55 Noble Laureates share a connection with the city of Heidelberg,” he said.

As part of the learning process, cultural activities have been included as an integral element of the program. Opportunities such as visiting the Heidelberg Castle, guided tours at the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, day trips to Strasbourg, and much more, will be made available to students to embrace their experience while in Germany.

Exploring Europe will also be at the students’ fingertips. From their location in Heidelberg, they will be four hours from Amsterdam and Paris, three hours from Zurich and eight hours from London.

“There are so many different cities around Heidelberg,” he said. “In anywhere from a three to eight hour time period, a student could be in a completely different cultural environment.”

One of the advantages of the UIW Study Abroad Center in Heidelberg, Germany is that any university level student in the U.S. may apply and take courses alongside UIW students, including those from our branches in Mexico and China.

“This exciting venture will offer access to students who wish to partake in a semester or an entire year at Heidelberg, Germany through the UIW Study Abroad Center,” Lozano said.

For more information on the Heidelberg Study Abroad Center, contact Alanna Taylor, study abroad coordinator at 210-805-5709 or [email protected].

New UIW sister school SRH Hochschule Heidelberg. Founded in 1969, the university has more than 2,400 students and is one of the oldest and largest private universities in Germany.