Study Abroad 2006: Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria

Summer 2008 Study Abroad
Germany, Poland, Czech Republic,
and Austria

Informational Meetings:
    All Meetings will be at 4:00 PM in Room 2060 of the Physical Science Building
            Thursday, October 4th
            Thursday, October 25th
            Monday, November 12th
            Thursday, November 29th

If you are interested in the trip, please contact either Dr. Jim Davis or Dr. John Stimac.

Program Name:
    The Geography, Geology and Culture of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and Austria

Location:

    Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria

Faculty Directors:
    Dr. John Stimac (jpstimac@eiu.edu; 581-2626)
    Dr. James Davis (jadavis2@eiu.edu; 581-5528)

Dates: 9 May - 29 May 2008

Foreign/Study Abroad Course Number(s) and Title(s):
    STA 3970 Study Abroad; Faculty-Led Program; 3 SH

EIU Equivalency or Substitution Course(s):
    GEG 1100: Cultural Geography (Social and Behavioral Science)
    GEL 2300G: Science and Technology: A Promise or a Threat?
    (Scientific Awareness)
    CSC 3001G: Survival of Humanity (Social and Behavioral Science)
    GEG/ESC 3200: Human Impact on the Environment
    GEG 3060: Geography and Culture of Europe
    EIU 4101G: Spaceship Earth (Senior Seminar)

Estimated Program Cost:
    To be Determined

Dealine to sign up:
    7 December 2007. This is a very firm deadline, so please do not miss it. You can sign up through the School of Continuing Education, here.

Brief Program Description:
This course will include a brief history of the regions visited as well as comparisons between typically Western, Eastern, and transitional European cultures. One of the central themes during this program will be a comparison and analysis of the "westernization" and change that Europe has undergone. Visiting some of the most important cultural, historic, and religious centers in Europe allows participants an opportunity to see how different regions influence one another, as well as maintained their own identities. While a major part of European history was prior to World War II, the war and its aftermath are key to the change that Europe is currently undergoing. During the program, students will spend two days visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camps (Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Monowitz) in Poland. Students will also have the option of visiting Dachau, outside Munich and Treblinka or Sobibor in Poland. The major financial and industrial cities of Frankfurt and Munich will be visited to show how parts of Germany have changed since W.W. II. This course is open to any current undergraduate or graduate student at EIU and has no prerequisites.

Passports:
If you received your last passport more than ten years ago, or never had one, it is time to get a new passport. They are easy to obtain, but may take between six (6) and eight (8) weeks so it is best to order them early. On the U.S. Department of State's Passport page look on the left side naviagation bar to choose either a first time (new) passport or a renewal. Passports fees total $97. You will also need two (2) 2" x 2" color head shots. The photos can be obtained at Walgreens, Osco, Kinkos, and many other similar stores.

Tentative Itinerary:

Day #	Day	Date	City	Meals	Places/Events
1	Friday	9-May		on-plane	Overnight Flight From Chicago O'Hare to Frankfurt, Germany
2	Saturday	10-May	Frankfurt	D	City tour of Frankfurt; Afternoon free to explore the city or take a Main River Cruise; Welcome Dinner
3	Sunday	11-May	Cologne	B	Rhine River Cruise to Cologne, Visit the remnants of the Remagan Bridge, Cologne Cathedral
4	Monday	12-May	Berlin	B	Travel day and Mining Museum in Oberharz and the former border between East and West Germany; arrive Berlin
5	Tuesday	13-May	Berlin	B	City tour including; Hidden Berlin tour, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and the Kaiser Wilhem Church
6	Wednesday	14-May	Berlin	B	Free day to explore Berlin or Optional trip to Potsdam
7	Thursday	15-May	Dresden	B	Travel to Dresden; En Route visit Wittenbug Church; Afternoon free
8	Friday	16-May	Prague	B,D	Morning tour of Dresden; Travel to Prague; Evening dinner at local restaraunt
9	Saturday	17-May	Prague	B	City of Prague including: Cathedral, the Golden Lane, Royal Castle, and Charles Bridge
10	Sunday	18-May	Prague	B	Free Day to explore Prague
11	Monday	19-May	Krakow	B, D	Travel to Krakow; Dinner at the famoud Wierzynek Steak House
12	Tuesday	20-May	Krakow	B	Morning tour of Krakow including St. Mary's Church and Wawel Castle: Afternoon trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mines
13	Wednesday	21-May	Krakow	B	Full day tour to Auschwitz Concentration Camp
14	Thursday	22-May	Vienna	B, D	Travel to Vienna; Dinner at a local Restaurant
15	Friday	23-May	Salzburg	B,D	Morning Tour of Vienna; Travel to Salzburg; Evening Mozart Dinner Concert
16	Saturday	24-May	Salzburg	B	Tour of Salzbug including Mirabelli Gardens, Sound of Music sits: Afternoon trip to Berchtesgarden and Eagle's Nest
17	Sunday	25-May	Innsbruck	B	Travel to Innsbruck; City tour including the Golden Roof, Trip into the Alps
18	Monday	26-May	Munich	B,D	Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Wies Church, and the Bavarian town of Oberammergau, Dinner at local Munich restaraunt
19	Tuesday	27-May	Munich	B	City tour of Munich including Nymphenburg palace: Afternoon free
20	Wednesday	28-May	Munich	B	Free day or optional trip to Dachau Concentration Camp
21	Thursday	29-May		B	Return flight from Munich to Chicago O'Hare

World Heritage Sites Visited:

Germany
     1. Cologne Cathedral
     2. BerlinMusuem Island
     3. Pilgrimage Church of Wies
     4. Luther Memorial in Wittenberg

Poland
     5. Krakow City Center
     6. Wieliczka Salt Mine
     7. Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Czech Republic
8. Prague City Center

Austria
9. Salzburg City Center
10. Vienna City Center

Hotels:

Information and websites will be posted when arrangements are finalized.

Frankfurt: Archat Plaza Hotel

Cologne: Holiday Inn AM Stadtwald

Berlin: Aldea Hotel

Dresden: Kim Hotel IM Park

Prague: Barcelo Hotel

Krakow: Piast Hotel

Vienna: Eventhotel Pyramide

Salzburg: Hotel Voetterl

Innsbruck: Hotel Alpinpark

Munich: Holiday Inn Sud

Images From Past Trips:

Germany