German educational institutes are responsible for producing some very ingenious minds. The printing press, MP3s, aspirin and automobiles are all products of German inventors. German institutes of higher education offer well equipped labs, libraries and fully developed infrastructure making them a popular destination for international students.
Admission to German universities requires a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to the German Abitur. If your qualification is marginally comparable, you will have to pass the Feststellungsprüfunge, an assessment test. Secondly you will have to prove German language proficiency. This is especially true for admission to undergraduate studies, as there are hardly any programs taught in English. Certificates awarded by the Goethe Institute are accepted as proof of German proficiency.
The International Summer University (ISU) Kassel, offers short term programs geared towards anyone wanting to experience German lifestyle first hand. The courses do not require any knowledge of German language and applicants stay with a host family for the duration of their studies. The Engineering programs focus on Earthquake Engineering, Nano Science and Renewable Energy. The Cultural Program centres on German History, German Fairytale and Culture. The (IWU) Kassel runs programs in winter for students whose summer calendars are full.
Other short term course options include workshops in porcelain painting in Meissen, the home of Albrechtsburg castle, and Meissen Cathedral. Wine seminars in Mosel village, woodcarving in Black Forest or cooking lessons in Berlin are also on offer at various times of the year. Details of such programs can be found in tourist offices or in local newspapers.
