Duke University Global Education Office for Undergraduates

Application & Selection

Duke University welcomes applicants from accredited colleges and universities. They may apply for either semester or for the full year. Applicants for the full-year program who will be juniors during the year abroad will receive priority. Applicants must be in good academic standing with a B average. Selection is based on a transcript review, a letter of recommendation from a professor of German, a second letter of recommendation from another faculty member, and a statement of purpose.

Special note to students with no prior German:

Those applying to the Fall program at the Humboldt without any prior German (or without any German courses at Duke), the required letter of recommendation may come from any instructor.

Applications should be submitted via the Duke Abroad On-Line Application. You can reach the application center any time by clicking on MyGlobalEd in the upper right corner of our website. Recommendation forms and other paperwork may be downloaded from this site as well.

Application Deadlines

Application deadline for the fall and the full-year program is March 1.  The deadline for spring is October 1.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, national and ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or preference, gender or age. Duke University reserves the right to make program changes if necessary.

 


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Postcard from Abroad

Dear Global Education Office:


I applied for the Duke program in Berlin because of the opportunity to live with a host family. I was looking to feel grounded in such a huge, metropolitan city, especially coming from tiny Davidson, NC, and I wanted a family away from home. Now, having almost completed my year abroad, I attribute my amazing experience in Germany to my family.

 

From the first time I met my host family, I felt right at home. They have given me great tips on where to eat, which cultural events are a "must-see," where to find nightlife, and so much more. I look forward to eating dinner with them every night, especially since my host mom is an amazing cook, playing wii sports with my younger host sister (even if I always lose in tennis), going biking and exploring a new part of Berlin with my host mom, visiting my older sister in Hamburg, or going to ALBA Berlin playoff basketball games with my host dad (to watch Sesay dunk over people).


I strongly believe that everyone can benefit from living with a host family, and I would urge all students to do so. Regardless of if you are looking for a close relationship with a family, like I was, or living more of an independent lifestyle, host families are beneficial in numerous ways. They can provide tips to get around the city, help meet local friends, which is not always easy to do, improve German skills by correcting grammar mistakes (I know this very well!), and offer support.


I will remember this year abroad for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone who makes this program run so smoothly, particularly Jochen, the resident director. Most of all, I want to send out a special thank you to my host family. I feel truly blessed to have been given the privilege to be able to stay with you. You mean the absolute world to me. Ihr seid einfach klasse! :)


Best wishes,


-Todd Resly
Davidson College '10

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