STUDENTS TO SPEND TWO WEEKS IN GERMANY

A group of students studying German, faculty at Southeast Missouri State University and a Cape Girardeau family will get a chance to tour southern Germany and Austria during the university's winter break.

Dr. Dieter Jedan, chairman of the department of foreign languages at Southeast Missouri State University will lead the group, which also includes three students from the University of Missouri at Columbia, during the trip.

The students will learn the German language and culture during a 14-day course and must complete a research project and try to speak German throughout the trip in Europe. Each student also will have the opportunity to learn more about German culture through host families.

"The students will learn a lot, but it's also a very fun trip," said Jedan. "We have a lot of sightseeing to do."

When they are not studying, students will be putting their new language to use. They plan to visit Munich, Salzburg, King Ludwig's castles and the Alps. They are also planning to attend several cultural activities and visit selected German businesses. Some students will even have the opportunity to spend one-day internships with German professionals of their choice.

"Our students are becoming more globally aware," said Jedan. "This trip gives the students a good idea of what Germany and Austria are all about. It gives them some firsthand knowledge of the culture. We also hope it will start some connections between our students and their businesses."

Jedan said the winter trip is a good recruitment tool for Southeast and the foreign language department. He also said he hopes the two-week trip might encourage some to consider a semester or a year abroad in a foreign exchange program.

"The two weeks helps them to get their feet wet," said Jedan. "It allows students to take a closer look at the country and see whether they would be comfortable there for a semester or a year. As a result of this trip, many students will decide to study a semester abroad."

The trip is scheduled for Dec. 28 through Jan. 11. Students attending the trip will earn three credit hours at the university.