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Placement Notes: German, Italian, Japanese and Portuguese

GERMAN

Austria

The chance of placement at most Austrian institutions is Excellent.

All institutions offer German language courses during the semester as well as intensive pre-exchange German language courses. Graz, TU Graz, and Linz offer a substantial number of courses taught in English and will accept students with little or no prior German language knowledge provided students can find enough courses taught in English in their desired field of study. Students at Graz and TU Graz with no prior German are required to enroll in a pre-exchange intensive German language course.

Linz offers semester-long internship placements for credit combined with German language courses.  Students must have junior-level standing in one of the following fields of study: Business, Computer Science, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics.  German proficiency is a plus and might increase chances of placement, but it is not a prerequisite.  It is recommended that students attending Salzburg have at least one year (preferably two years) of German instruction prior to arrival as courses in English are limited.

Germany

Chances of Placement:
Chances of placement in Germany are overall Excellent. Students with intermediate-advanced German have a particularly good chance of placement at: Bielefeld, Braunschweig, Eichstätt, and Marburg on ISEP-Exchange. Students with beginner-level German may have better chances of placement at Dortmund, Giessen, Hannover or Trier on ISEP-Exchange.  Language benefits are included alongside courses in English.  Students with intermediate to advanced German are encouraged to apply at all sites.

Junior standing is recommended for Bielefeld, Braunschweig, and Hannover. Dortmund, Eichstätt, Giessen, Marburg, and Trier will consider sophomores provided they meet course prerequisites.

All institutions offer some German language courses during the semester – included in ISEP benefits – as well as intensive pre-exchange German language courses (some may be at additional cost).

Students with no German knowledge can also apply for the ISEP-Direct Marburg semester program (IUSP), combining German language classes with seminars in English in Culture, Economics, History, Political Science, and other fields. The chance of placement for this program is Excellent. Upper-level Business/Economics majors placed at Eichstätt can now take courses taught in English at the Ingolstadt School of Management. No previous German knowledge required.

Switzerland

Excellent chance of placement at Bern and Zurich and Fair chances of placement at Fribourg for students with intermediate-level German.  4-5 semesters of German is recommended for students interested in studying German in Switzerland.  Courses in English also available at Bern and Zurich. 

All institutions offer some German language courses during the semester – included in ISEP benefits – as well as intensive pre-exchange German language courses (some may be at additional cost).

ITALIAN

Italy

Intermediate/advanced-level Italian language required, except as noted below (four semesters of college-level Italian); language courses available at all sites.

Pavia: Limited chance of placement on ISEP-Exchange and fair chance of placement on ISEP.
Sacro Cuore: Fair chance of placement on ISEP-Exchange and excellent chance of placement for ISEP-Direct.
Combination of Italian language study at beginner/intermediate level and courses taught in English in humanities, business, political and social sciences available as well as full range of courses taught in Italian.
Trieste: Limited chance of placement on ISEP-Exchange. All courses taught in Italian.
Urbino: Limited chance of placement on ISEP-Exchange and fair chance of placement on ISEP-Direct. Students only need 2 semesters of Italian language to apply.

JAPANESE

The demand for placement in Japan greatly exceeds the number of places available and students are encouraged to be flexible when completing their Host Site Request List for Japan only placements. Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for all sites except for Nihon-Mishima which is 2.75.

Chukyo: One semester of Japanese recommended; two semesters preferred.

Kansai Gaidai and Nanzan are essentially for language learners only—not recommended for those who wish to enroll in regular academic courses taught in Japanese.

Nihon University-Mishima: Limited English courses available.  One semester of Japanese recommended; two semesters preferred.  Students who wish to take regular academic courses in Japanese must pass a language proficiency exam upon arrival. 

Ritsumeikan: While Japanese ability is not a requirement for participation, it is recommended that students become familiar with some basic Japanese before departure if enrolling in the Intensive Japanese Language Track (IJL).

Ritsumeikan APU: Bilingual institution—most first and second year courses offer one semester in English, another semester in Japanese.

Tokyo International: No previous Japanese training is needed to join the program. Intensive Japanese language courses are offered in addition to regular English classes during the semester for all levels.

Toyo University: No previous Japanese language study is required; however, it is recommended that students become familiar with some basic Japanese before departure.  In addition to regular classes taught in Japanese, some courses are taught in a combination of Japanese and English. Limited courses taught solely in English also available. For more details, please see the Toyo Featured Programs page.

PORTUGUESE

Brazil

Institutions in Brazil follow the Southern Hemisphere calendar: SM1 begins in February/March and ends June/July; SM2 begins in July/August and ends in November/December.

FAAP:- Fundacao Armando Alvares Penteado: 
Option 1: Regular Courses – ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct

** Note: Students fluent in Spanish (or students who need a little extra help with their Portuguese) may apply for a SM or FY placement in regular classes but will be required to enroll in a pre-exchange intensive Portuguese language program (four week program included in ISEP Benefits; housing and meals costs not included).

Option 2: Extensive Portuguese Course (EPC) – ISEP Direct ONLY

Portugal

Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias:

Limited chance of placement on ISEP-Exchange.
Non-native Portuguese speakers must have one of the following linguistic backgrounds to apply: 4 semesters of Portuguese, combined minimum of 4 semesters of Portuguese and Spanish, or 5+ semesters of Spanish.