Germany: Dual-Degree with Reutlingen University

Students are screened for eligibility during the Rollins College admissions process and must be intending to major in INB. Ideally, students will already be enrolled in the program as they begin their first year at Rollins. In exceptional circumstances, students can apply to enter the program up until January 15 of the first year. In order to be approved to continue to Reutlingen in the 5th semester, students must have met the following requirements:

• Attend required DDP events and meetings during the first four semesters
• Maintain a 3.2 or higher grade point average during the first four semesters
• Declare International Business as a chosen major before the second semester
• Demonstrate appropriate level of German language skills as assessed by the German language faculty
• Clean record with the Office of Community Standards and good academic and College standing
• Submit a professional application to IP in the 4th semester: materials are submitted on-time, are edited before submission, and are thorough and thoughtful.
• Have a strong resume, cover letter and internship interview in the fourth semester
• Receive an endorsement by the DDP Faculty Director in the fourth semester
• This program has a required advising session (30 minutes) as part of the application process. Please visit our home page to schedule an advising appointment.

Spring 2022

Internship

• February/March: Internship start date (varies)
• July/August: Internship end date (varies; internships are six months)

Courses

• Early February: Classes begin
• Late May: Classes End
• Late May - Early June: Examination Period

Fall 2022 (Tentative Dates)

• Late August: Recommended arrival dates
• First two weeks of September: Intensive German Language course (mandatory) and Orientation
• Late September: Classes begin
• Late December: Classes End
• Late December - early January: holiday break
• January: Final Exams

Orientation

During the mandatory orientation, students will be introduced to Reutlingen University and the town of Reutlingen.  Julie Dengler, the Coordinator of the German-American Dual-Degree programs at Reutlingen will help Rollins students register for courses, set up bank accounts, and start the resident permit process.  The orientation will also include a local excursion, for example to Tubingen castle.  Rollins students will also have the opportunity to connect with Reutlingen students in their first and second years who will be going to Rollins for their third and fourth years.

Flight

Rollins does not arrange a flight for this program.  IP recommends booking your flight within 6-12 weeks of your departure date.  Reutlingen University will provide you with instructions for arrival—this program does not provide an airport pick-up so students will make their way to the University independently. The best international connections are either by flying to Frankfurt or Munich and then traveling by train to Reutlingen. The nearest airport is Stuttgart International Airport and Delta does have some direct flights to Stuttgart from Atlanta.

Visa

US citizens do not need a visa obtained prior to departure.  Rather, US citizens must apply for a Resident Permit on-site.  Reutlingen will send participants instructions about materials needed for the Resident Permit.

Reutlingen University

The Dual Degree program is housed at the ESB Business School at Reutlingen.  ESB is one of Europe’s premier international business schools.  Though the Business School has 2400 students and the University as a whole is much larger, the university is campus-based and quite centralized, making it convenient for students.

Courses

Intensive German: Rollins students are required to participate in the intensive German program for two weeks prior to their first semesters at Reutlingen University.

University Courses:  Rollins students will participate in these courses alongside German and other international students.  Most courses are taught in German but in both the fifth and seventh semesters, there are a couple of courses taught in German and English.  Courses are Reutlingen are very academically challenging and involve an intensive workload.

Four-Year Plan: Each student will develop a specific four-year plan with support from the Faculty Director and others at Rollins.  The individual plan will depend on the number of transfer credits brought into Rollins and any prior experience in German. However, due to the rigorous nature of the program, most students will have a 4-year Plan roughly similar to the following:

• Year 1 at Rollins: German language both semesters (intensive in the fall for beginners), Two competency requirements, INB 200 Introduction to International Business, INB 233 Economics for International Business, 100-level Neighborhood course, and PEA requirement
• Year 2 at Rollins: German language both semesters (must have at least one 300-level course), 100-150-level Neighborhood course, Two 200-level Neighborhood courses, INB 230 International Financial and Managerial Accounting, INB 236 Statistics for International Business, INB 380 Global Brand Management, 300-level neighborhood capstone, and PEA requirement
• Year 3 at Reutlingen: Human Resource Management, Accounting and Corporate Finance, Applied Accounting & Corporate Finance, International Economics, Management Information System, Communication Skills & Intercultural Competence (Business German), and in the spring: full-time internship
• Year 4 at Reutlingen and Rollins: At Reutlingen: Strategic Management, Business Law, three business electives, and start the Thesis.  At Rollins: INB 365 International Operations & MIS, INB 450 Global Business Strategy, three business and area studies electives, and finish and defend the Thesis.

Internship: During your second semester in Germany, students will participate in a full-time, credit-bearing internship for a minimum of 20 weeks.  Most internships are outside of Reutlingen in other German cities and towns.  Faculty and staff at Reutlingen University will assist students to search and apply for internships during their first semester at Reutlingen.  However, ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to find an appropriate internship placement.  The career fair on campus at Reutlingen during your first semester will be a key venue for students to learn about and connect with a multitude of companies and organizations (e.g., Hugo Boss, Boston Consulting Group, Dymerl, IBM, L’Oreal, Mars, SAP). Typically, students begin searching for an internship in October. All internships must be approved by Prof. Julia Brüggemann, Faculty Director at Reutlingen.  To receive credit for the internship, students will submit a paper and make a presentation about the internship at Reutlingen during the third semester in Germany.

Transfer of Credits

Students participating on this program will need to seek the appropriate departmental approval for all major/minor requirements and will need to seek approval for General Education Requirements through Student Records.  The Faculty Director for this program is Dr. Nancy Decker, who will advise students and assist with course approvals and planning.  All students who successfully complete the DDP through Rollins will receive an official transcript and degree from the University of Reutlingen and from Rollins College. Courses range from one to four credits.

First Semester: During the first semester in Germany, students will apply for housing prior to departure.  Typically students are placed in single studio apartments on campus.  Each apartment has its own bathroom and kitchenette.  The building houses a variety of international students and there is a shared common area for all residents.  Students will purchase groceries and cook for themselves and/or eat out at campus dining halls which offer low-cost meals for students.

Second Semester: During the second semester, students will most likely be interning in a different German city.  There is no housing provided during this semester.  Students typically make arrangements for an apartment share with other University students and/or interns.  Students will purchase groceries and cook for themselves and/or eat their meals out.

Third Semester: There is no housing specifically provided during the third semester back at Reutlingen University.  Students typically make arrangements for an apartment share with other students or may apply to general University housing during the summer between the second and third semesters.  Students will purchase groceries and cook for themselves and/or eat their meals out.

The University is located approximately a 20 minute walk from the city center of Reutlingen.  While Reutlingen is a average size town (over 100,000 people), it is quite easy for students to travel around the region due an excellent public transportation system.  The city of Stuttgart (> 600,000 people) is only about 35 minutes away by train and the region around Reutlingen offers students many opportunities for sight-seeing.

Student support and activities are provided by the Program Coordinator at Reutlingen who arranges such activities as a roundtable dinner or meet-up in downtown, a Thanksgiving dinner, and a visit to the local Christmas market in December.  Students are also encouraged to get involved with the University events and activities.  For example, the University hosts charity events, provides opportunities for students to volunteer for the career fairs, and hosts sporting events, intramural, and social activities.  For example, many students participate in the International Business Weekend which occurs in the spring, involves students participating in a network of business Dual Degree programs around the globe and is hosted at one of the partner schools.

Things to Consider

Students with mobility disabilities may find accessibility and accommodations different from the United States. Check the US Department of State Travelers with Disabilities and specific to the country, Mobility International USA, and the IP Your Identity Abroad page for resources.

Program Fee

The program fee each semester is equal to Rollins College tuition for one semester. Most Rollins financial aid and scholarships will apply to the semester abroad. 

Includes

Tuition and administration, Reutlingen semester tuition, full medical and emergency insurance, orientation and some program activities. NOTE: STUDENTS ON THIS PROGRAM DO NOT PAY ROOM AND BOARD TO ROLLINS COLLEGE

Additional Estimated Costs

• Airfare: $1,200
• Airport transfers in the US and Germany (estimated): $200
• Housing (estimated): $2400 per semester in Reutlingen, may be higher during the internship semester.  There may also be a $950 refundable housing deposit for any semester living in campus housing.
• Meals: $2,800 in Reutlingen, may be slightly higher during the internship semester
• On-site Transportation: $110 for local transportation pass in Reutlingen, should be similar during internship semester
• Resident Permit: $150
• Personal expenses: Costs will vary
• Souvenirs, entertainment and independent travel: Costs will vary

Need-Based Scholarships

Scholarships based on financial need are available to off-set costs associated with international airfare and other costs associated with study abroad. Students can apply for scholarships through the Rollins program application.

Living and Working

Having a credit card while abroad is very helpful. Germany has a slightly lower cost of living than the United States. Students are able to work part-time on a student visa while abroad in Germany with permission from the local Alien Registration Office.