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FAQ about Marburg

Do I need to know German to participate in the program?

Yes. BCA requires students to have at least two semesters of college-level German to study at BCA Marburg. Four semesters are recommended. While in Marburg, students can choose classes that adequately meet their individual level of German language proficiency.

Where is the BCA Marburg study center located?

As a BCA Marburg student, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses at Philipps University, founded in 1527 as the first protestant university in the world. You will be directly enrolled at the university, where you can select courses from nearly 20 different departments.

What can I study at BCA Marburg?

The courses available to BCA Marburg students fall into three general categories:

1. BCA Courses - For U.S. students only taught in German by instructors hired by BCA.
2. German as a Foreign Language Courses - Available through the University of Marburg Language Center (Sprachenzentrum der Uni Marburg). Intended only for foreign students, taught by German instructors.
3. Regular University Courses - The Philipps University of Marburg offers extensive opportunities for study. The Philipps Universität Marburg will publish course offerings (Vorlesungsverzeichnis) about one month before classes begin. Please see the website at www.uni-marburg.de for the latest available course information.

Where will I live?

BCA scatters students around the city to provide them with the best opportunities to meet Germans and students from other countries. All BCA housing includes convenient access to kitchen, shower and toilet facilities. Options include:

• Collegium Philippium - Literally live in part of the former Duke of Marburg’s castle. Up on the hill overlooking the medieval town, the Schloss offers lots of opportunities for cultural immersion. The castle houses 39 students, mostly Germans, who govern their own affairs and cooperate together to create a unique living environment including eating the noon meal together. BCA offers two places - one for a male and one for a female - whom students living in the Schloss select based on a housing application. This option is usually reserved for full-year students, but others can apply if  there are few full-year applicants.
• Various student residence halls in the Oberstadt - Run by the university, these residence halls are located near the castle and overlook the Lahn River Valley. Most BCA students live in the Oberstadt.
• Euler Haus - The Free Evangelical (Baptist) Church runs the Euler Haus, located near most university facilities. BCA students enjoy spending time in the kitchen and lounge areas of this friendly student residence. All rooms have sinks, and a reputation for friendliness. Euler Haus also has wireless internet for student use.

Will my school accept credit from BCA Marburg?

It is important that students check with their university registration and records office to determine whether BCA credits will be accepted. Each university has its own policy for transferring credits, and it is the students’ responsibility to follow their home university rules and regulations. Upon completion, BCA sends transcripts from Phillipps University and BCA course reports to students and their home universities. If the home university or college requires a transcript from a U.S. school, BCA provides a transcript from Elizabethtown College, which is BCA’s school of record.

Will my financial aid transfer?

Federal aid is transferable; some state aid is transferable. Aid from an individual school is transferred at the school’s discretion. Students should consult their financial aid advisor for further information and advice.

Why study with BCA?

BCA is one of the nation's oldest independent organizations committed to promoting international understanding and academic excellence through college study abroad programs for U.S. students and adult seminars for faculty and administrators. Rooted in the values of peace and justice, BCA promotes international understanding, awareness of global citizenship and academic scholarship through educational exchange. Among the special qualities of BCA's programs are: unique opportunities to study peace and justice issues in places where conflict has profoundly affected culture, history and daily life; opportunity for cultural immersion; and tremendous academic and administrative support.

What are the application deadlines?

BCA encourages interested students to apply as soon as possible to get the process in motion. Applications for the spring semester are due by November 1. Fall semester applications are due by April 15. Students are notified of their acceptance within three weeks of submitting a complete application.

Do I need a visa to study in Germany?

No. Germany does not require entry visas for U.S. citizens traveling to Germany. BCA students with U.S. citizenship who remain in Germany for one semester or more must apply for a residency permit after arrival. The BCA resident director arranges the issuance of the residency permits from the local Ausländerbehörde.

Can I study abroad as a freshman?

No. To study abroad with BCA Marburg a student must have at least one year of undergraduate study. However, BCA encourages students to start planning in their freshman year and investigate which program is a good fit for their individual needs.

I’m worried my GPA may not be good enough. Should I still apply?

BCA does employ minimum GPA standards for each study center. The required GPA varies by program and is an important tool in evaluating a student’s application, however it is not the only consideration. BCA also takes into account the student’s personal statement and their letters of recommendation. BCA encourages students to apply even if they do not quite meet the GPA standards.

How many courses will I take?

As a BCA student, you can take 12 to 18 credits per semester, in addition to the 4-credit pre-semester language instruction. BCA courses are worth three U.S. credits and Philipps University courses are usually worth 2 or 3 credits.

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