International Studies Program for the German-Speaking World

The International Studies Program for the German-Speaking World is designed for students to gain a solid command of the German language and to learn about the culture and society of Germany and the German-speaking world more broadly. Learning a new language is a gateway to a new world. When studying German, you will encounter a new world unfolding before you as you communicate with the people from German-speaking countries and regions. This world will only continue to grow as you acquire information and knowledge only accessible in German. Germany, with its rich tradition of philosophy, literature, music, and painting, is a leading country in the EU both politically and economically. But that’s not all—it also has a wealth of experience and knowledge that are critical for grappling with the issues facing society today, from environmental policy (including nuclear power) to generous refugee and asylum policies. For these reasons, Germany is one of the most remarkable countries in the world today.

However, as you may know, Germany is not the only country where German is spoken. German enjoys official language status in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Principality of Liechtenstein, as well as in regions of Belgium and Italy (namely South Tyrol). Furthermore, studying German serves as a window for learning about Central and Eastern European countries (such as Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary), which have close historical and cultural ties with Germany and Austria, as well as the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, whose languages are closely related to German. In fact, the culture of German-speaking peoples has not only played a major role in the history of Western Europe but also shaped Europe as a whole. If you are someone who wants to study German intensively and deepen your knowledge about Germany and other German-speaking countries during your four years at university, this program is an ideal choice for you.

*Other than German language courses, the main program courses are General Education Seminar (Hiyoshi Campus) and International Studies Seminar (Mita Campus), which are taught by German language instructors, and Area Studies on Culture (Hiyoshi Campus), and the Foreign Language Seminar in German (Mita Campus).

I decided to pursue the International Studies Program because I wanted another tangible accomplishment in addition to studies for my major in business and commerce. I think it’s crucial to set a goal whenever you decide to take on a new challenge. For me, having the goal of completing the program served as a great motivator to accomplish my challenge of learning German as a second foreign language.

Now that I've completed the program, I feel that the best part was the friends I made and the instructors I met. Much of the program is taught in small classes, which allowed me to make friends with whom I hope to remain close for the rest of my life. In the summer of my second year, I participated in a summer program at the University of Vienna in Austria on the recommendation of one of my professors. Going to Austria provided an invaluable experience for me to learn German.

When you complete the program, you will receive a completion certificate in addition to your diploma as a testimony of what you accomplished during your time at university.

Guten Tag! My name is Sunnosuke Naito, and I have become more and more German through the International Studies Program. My favorite food is currywurst, and my favorite beverage is beer. I’m just joking! I actually love sushi and brown rice tea. Despite this, I feel that I was able to learn “real-life German” by challenging myself to complete the program. Most of the German classes at Keio are held in small groups, creating an environment where each student’s unique approach to learning is accepted. For example, I read literature on aesthetics in German and wrote my thesis on this topic. I also watched German films and attended classes where I spoke with the instructors entirely in German. The program provides a great way to experience the German language and culture in a way that learning to read and write alone can never do. You might think that the program makes you devote all of your time to studying German, but it’s not that bad at all! I was able to complete the program while having fun with friends who were also working hard to learn German. Now, I’m thrilled that I decided to challenge myself in my first year. Why don't you spend your four years at university learning a little bit of real-life German?