Germany Study Abroad

Immersive. International. Inspirational.

A group of study abroad students pose in front of a wind turbine and solar array.

The energy transition is even more interdisciplinary than I originally thought. It takes all kinds of professionals and fields to advocate for the energy transition!

Sylvia Pesch

2026 UMN Morris participant, studying Statistics

A Transatlantic Platform for Energy Leadership

The Germany Study Abroad program brings together students and changemakers from Minnesota and Germany to spark real progress in the collective journey towards a clean industrial economy. Built on more than 10 years of partnership, the course “Germany: Leading the Renewables Revolution” gives rising leaders the tools, connections and confidence to turn big ideas into measurable, on-the-ground climate action.

This immersive experience is tied in with the Climate-Smart Municipalities program, which brings together cities, counties, state agencies and political leaders in Minnesota and Germany.

A large group of officials and students convene at a meeting table in Germany.

Learning with Leaders

Germany changed the world of energy.

Germany is a world leader in the transformation to sustainable energy systems – and the creator of the first market for renewable energy. German cities and regions pursue the goal of being powered 100% by renewable energy.

Experience this firsthand, apply it to your course of study and continue your own leadership journey.

Experience Germany’s culture of sustainability by visiting Düsseldorf, Münster and Saerbeck – three cities known for sustainability
See how citizen engagement drives clean energy progress
Experience the political, social and technological drivers behind renewable energy development and the emergence of a clean industrial economy
Engage directly with Germany's top politicians, government officials, researchers and educators – and learn how they collaborate for change
Explore renewable energy, storage and electrification
Translate research into actionable climate solutions and commit to long-term, resilient and inclusive change

Connecting Across Cultures

Join a proven partnership shaping climate policy and innovation.

Participate in the cultural and technological exchange made possible by high-level agreements between Minnesota and North Rhine-Westphalia
Advance shared work on adaptation, efficiency and renewables
Connect to Minnesota’s community solar and climate-smart initiatives
Expand transatlantic networks across sectors
Join a diverse, interdisciplinary student delegation
Collaborate across political and professional perspectives

I have an internship with the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance this spring and hope to implement lots of strategies based on Saerbeck.
Emerson Lindley, 2026 UMN Twin Cities participant, studying Sustainable Systems Management

Sustainability Study Abroad in Action

A modern sustainable office building with geometric windows and greenery growing from balconies. — The Kö-Bogen, a LEED Platinum certified building in Düsseldorf

A group of students play a board game. — Students playing PowerUP, a simulation game for renewable energies

Students pose with German foods at a train station — Students at the Münster train station

A group of UMN students standing with bicycles in Germany — Bicycle parking tour of Münster

Program Leaders

Sabine Engel, Ph.D.

Program Director of International Partnerships

Engel is a program director in the Institute on the Environment and leads the Climate-Smart exchange program with Germany. Sabine has led over two dozen delegations to Germany of Minnesota elected officials, business and community leaders and is connected to a large network of influential German partners.

Beth Mercer-Taylor, J.D., M.P.P.

Co-Program Director, Sustainability Education

Mercer-Taylor is the sustainability education co-director at the University of Minnesota, where she administers the Sustainability Studies Minor.

Troy Goodnough

Sustainability Director, UMN, Morris

Goodnough is the first sustainability director at the University of Minnesota, Morris, where he has worked to develop and implement sustainability initiatives by creating new educational programs, outreach initiatives and renewable energy projects. On the Climate-Smart Municipalities project, he serves as the advisor of record for the student interns from Germany. He also serves as a speaker on the student delegation tours to Germany.

Program Details

Location: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany
Term: Winter Term 2026–27, Embedded Spring 2027
Housing: Hostel, Hotel
Credit Type: Resident Credit
Sponsor: Institute on the Environment (IonE)

Student Type: UMN Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Graduate students
GPA: 2.5+
Language Prerequisite: No language prerequisite

You’ll stay in hostels or hotels in Düsseldorf and Münster.

Several dinners will be provided, but you should plan to cover most lunches on your own. In total, you should plan for about 13 meals on your own.

Daily visits to key renewable energy sites and meetings with energy leaders in Düsseldorf, Münster and Saerbeck, Germany
Walk like the Germans for several miles a day and embrace their sustainability spirit
A bike tour to experience Germany’s multimodal transportation system
City culture tours and museum visits
Meet with agency leaders, elected office holders and clean economy business leaders

Academic Overview

Germany: Leading the Renewables Revolution (CFAN 3532/5532) is an embedded spring 2027 course, with the abroad portion in Germany taking place in January 2027 and additional sessions taking place as indicated. Below is the schedule for the 2027 exchange.

Embedded Winter/Spring Semester 2027 course sessions:

Session 1: Orientation and Introduction to Energy Issues (in-person at UMN Twin Cities) Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Features get-to-know-you activities, special guest speakers and a provided group lunch (optional but strongly recommended).
Session 2: Energy Policy, Technology and Projects in Minnesota and Germany (virtual) Monday, December 21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- We will unpack significant energy policy measures in Germany and Minnesota. We will also understand the crucial role of states in moving forward faster on clean energy. You will learn why Minnesota matters more than you may think.
Travel abroad (Germany): January 5 to 17, 2027
Session 3: Formal Student Presentations (virtual) Friday, February 5, 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
- Virtual presentations of you and your classmates' solutions with an audience of invited energy leaders.
Session 4: Program Celebration Dinner Discussion: Renewable Energy and Climate Insights for Minnesota (in-person at UMN Twin Cities) Monday, March 29, 2027, 6–9:30 p.m.
- Share your insights and visions for Minnesota with family and political leaders. All family members will be formally invited to attend this special dinner discussion.

Earn 3 credits for CFAN 3532 (undergraduate students) or CFAN 5532 (graduate students).

Undergraduate students may also gain additional credit, as this course:

Satisfies both of the following Liberal Education Requirements: Global Perspectives and Environment
Has the possibility to be counted as credit toward the Sustainability Studies Minor as an elective
- Please contact [email protected] to inquire about Sustainability Studies minor credit
Has the possibility to be counted as credit toward a German major or minor as an elective
- To earn the language credit, the journal assignments must be written in German; the class is otherwise taught in English with no prior language requirements
- Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] to inquire about German minor or German, Scandinavian, Dutch major elective credit

Undergraduate Tuition

For undergraduate students, tuition costs for the program will not be charged for those who will be considered full-time (+13 credits) without counting this course during spring 2027. Students who are not considered full-time will be charged the cost up to 3 credits.

Graduate Tuition

For graduate students, fee structure needs to be addressed on an individual basis. Tuition is not included in the total cost of the program unless specified by your graduate program.

For more information about fees, please first meet with a representative of your graduate program about your participation and the tuition structure, then contact Beth Mercer-Taylor at [email protected].

Application Details

Visa and Passport Requirements

Visa Requirements

Non-U.S. passport holders: A Schengen visa is required for this program. Learn more about a Schengen visa.
U.S. passport holders: No visa is required.

Passport Reminders

If you do not have a passport or if your passport expires within 6 months after your return date, apply for a new passport as soon as possible. Expedited processing is strongly recommended to ensure it arrives in time.

Beginning in April 2027, all US passport holders will need to get electronic travel authorization approval prior to traveling via the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) .

Fees

This immersive program's fee includes group-flight airfare, program administration, housing, some meals, international health insurance, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, simultaneous interpreting and local transportation.

2027 program cost: TBD (current estimate is $5,500)

Tuition for Undergraduate students: Full-time students (students who are enrolled in a minimum of 13 credits for the spring 2026 semester not counting this course) will not be charged extra tuition. Students who are enrolled in 12 or fewer credits for spring 2026 will be charged the cost for up to 3 credits.

For graduate students: Fee structure needs to be addressed on an individual basis. Tuition is not included in the total cost of the program unless specified by your graduate program.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

There are a variety of ways to financially support your experience. Please apply as soon as possible for aid, as some scholarships require evidence of your financial need.

In addition, most financial aid can be used for credit-bearing study abroad options endorsed by the University. Schedule a study abroad financial aid preview meeting (Rochester and Twin Cities specific) to learn how financial aid can be applied to your study abroad expenses.

Learn more about your campus' resources on financing your experience:

Ecolab Scholarships

Twin Cities undergraduates with financial need are eligible for a $2,500 Ecolab Scholarship. The scholarship application is built into the required IonE google form.

Cancellation Policy

Next Steps

After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received.
Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
1. Passport Information
2. Emergency Contacts
3. Health Information Form
4. Online Health and Safety Orientation
5. Release and Waiver
After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email.
If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program.
1. If you decide not to continue, you must email your withdrawal to [email protected] and follow the instructions as outlined on the Learning Abroad website.
Once confirmed, you will also need to register for the course CFAN 3532/ CFAN 5532. You will receive a permission code in order to register for the course.
1. Note: Registering for the course, but not confirming through the Institute on the Environment, will not hold your spot in the program.

Apply Now

Applications are due October 1, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

Share in depth through the IonE form why you would like to be part of the program.
Fill out the Learning Abroad form to complete the application.

Required IonE Form

Required Learning Abroad Form

Related Opportunities

Berlin Seminar participants engage in a conversation on a bus.

The University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment hosts a number of leadership exchanges between leaders in the state and Germany.

Climate Smart Municipalities

Berlin Seminar on Clean Energy Policy

Leading the Renewables Revolution

Immersive. International. Inspirational.