Overview of the Double Degree Master's in Journalism and Global

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Overview of the Double Degree Master’s in Journalism and Global Mass Communication At Ohio University and Leipzig University

The Quick Overview

• In this unique double degree program, you can simultaneously obtain two Master’s degrees, from Ohio University and Leipzig University.

• The double degree is particularly attractive for students with an interest in a professional career in international journalism and global mass communication, as well as for students who want to become scholars in journalism and mass communication • You may complete the Double Degree Master’s program within the 2 years our Master’s program takes, with your third semester as a study abroad semester at Leipzig University. No German needed, the language of instruction is English. However, we strongly recommend you take a basic German class. • Students who receive funding from Ohio University (stipend and tuition waiver) will receive a fellowship (without GA work requirement) during their semester in Leipzig, but not past that time if they decide to stay longer. Students who pay for their Master’s program will save money because Leipzig University does not require tuition. Five Ohio University students from the Fall 2017 • Students usually have a Master’s committee con- Double Degree Cohort are gathering in front of sisting of two OU faculty members and one from the Bach Memorial and the Thomaskirche in Leipzig Leipzig for their thesis (professional project or (Photo: Christine Holmes, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism) reading option are not accepted in Leipzig). Please also check out the videos about the Leipzig • You must first be admitted into our Master’s experience from program alumni at program and then apply separately for the double http://scrippsjschool.org/masters/doubledegree.php degree program, which provides up to five spots per year for selected students.

Please apply by October 1 and only after you’ve started our Master’s program. More information and application forms will be provided during the orientation meeting at the beginning of the semester.

Table of Contents

General Program Information 3 Leipzig as a Place to Study and Live 4 Admittance and Financing 5 Specifics of the Double Degree Master’s Program 6 Duration and Important Dates 8 Thesis Requirement 8 Application Information 9 Preparing Your Stay in Leipzig 10 Psychological Issues and Culture Shock 13 Issues Specific to Studying in Germany 14 Contact 16

à Important: Please notice that you will receive another info brochure from our Leipzig University partners with detailed information about enrolling and studying in Leipzig, living, shopping, and accommodation, banking, registering with the authorities, and more.

Students from Athens and Leipzig meeting in the main building of Leipzig University (Photo: Kate Hiller, 2017)

General Program Information Based on their long-term partnership, Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the Institute for Communication and Media Studies at Leipzig University have developed a unique Double Degree Master’s program for Master’s students from the two partner institutions. Students who complete this program will simultaneously be awarded a double degree of “Master of Science in Journalism” from Ohio University and a “Master of Arts in Global Mass Communication” from Leipzig University. Contrary to existing four-year international double degree programs (two years at each partner university), this program may be completed with good time management skills within the regular two-year period to obtain the two Master’s degrees. Because both institutions mutually recognize coursework from the other university, participating students only need to spend one semester at the partner institution, usually their third semester.

Students and faculty from Leipzig and Ohio University visiting the student-run Radio Mephisto at Leipzig University (2013). OU undergraduate Jacob Betzner and graduate student Paul Jacoway ( ), third and second to the right. (Photo: Kevin Grieves, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism)

The goal of this Double Degree Master’s program is to prepare students for a successful career in the rapidly changing field of globally connected media and to become responsible global communicators as professionals and scholars in journalism and mass communication.

It is particularly well suited for students with an interest in international journalism and global mass communication, as well as for students who want to embark on an international professional career. It also prepares students for a career in the academic field and related areas.

Leipzig as a Place to Study and Live

Located in the middle of Europe and more than 1000 years old, Leipzig has a rich and manifold history. It was the heart of the peaceful revolution of 1989 that brought an end to the former East German Government. The Leipzig book fair has a centuries-long tradition and set the tone for the modern media metropolis that the city of over 500,000 is today. In recent years, Leipzig has become one of the most popular thriving cities in Europe due to its energetic cultural life, its cosmopolitan atmosphere, and its state-of-the-art infrastructure. Leipzig has been the birthplace and home of many famous artists and scientists, among them the composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler, the philosophers Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Ernst Bloch, the painter Max Beckmann, and the psychologist Wilhelm Wundt. The famous Gewandhaus Orchestra, housed in the modern concert hall Leipziger Gewandhaus, has been a leading European orchestra for over 250 years. At the same time, Leipzig has many museums, libraries, and cinemas, as well as a vibrant contemporary music, theater, and culture scene, including a nationally renowned festival for documentary and animated film, a famous wave-gothic festival, and much more.

Leipzig University with new University Church St. Paul. (Photo: Bernhard Debatin, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism)

Leipzig University, founded in 1409, is one of the oldest universities in Germany and among the top 25 leading German universities. It has about 30,000 students and it offers a broad and comprehensive variety of subject areas. Student life in Leipzig is characterized by low living expenses, a fantastic public transportation system, and a welcoming atmosphere. People are very friendly and the younger ones will speak English very well.

Due to its central location, Leipzig invites for trips to other close-by cities, such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Warsaw, Dresden, Prague, Munich, or even Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam. Day trips or weekend trips by train or long-distance bus are easy, safe, and cheap.

Old Town Hall at the market square (Photo: Bernhard Debatin, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism)

Admittance and Financing Students in the journalism master’s program are eligible to apply for the Double Degree Master’s program at the beginning of their first semester, to be enrolled as degree-seeking students at both Ohio University, which serves as their “home university,” and Leipzig University (LU), as the partner institution. The program provides up to five spots per year for selected students from OU. Applicants will be selected based on their overall performance, promise, and demonstrated interest in the field (for details see below, “Application”). Students in our Master’s program who receive funding (a scholarship and a tuition waiver) will be able to keep their funding during their study abroad semester at Leipzig University. The funding will be dispersed as a fellowship (i.e. without GA work requirement). You must sign up for exactly one credit hour at OU during this time. Please note that the fellowship cannot be extended beyond the five months of study at LU. Tuition-paying students will also be able to save some money through this program because LU does not charge tuition, although some registration and administrative fees will be due. Students are responsible for meeting the insurance coverage requirements (health, accident, liability) during their stay at the partner university and are required to purchase the mandatory study away insurance through the Ohio University prior to travel to Leipzig. Further details on the insurance requirement will be made available through advising meetings at the Office of Global Opportunities. For an estimate of your overall living expenses, etc., see below, p. 10.

Specifics of the Double Degree Master’s Program Unless stated otherwise, all conditions and requirements for the master’s program in journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism apply (see the http://scrippsjschool.org/masters/). The Double Degree Master’s Program comprises 38 credit hours as a requirement for the master’s degree from Ohio University. It also includes a maximum of 120 ECTS credits as required for the Master’s degree from Leipzig University, which recognizes Ohio University coursework.. The courses taken al LU can be transferred to OU to fulfill the journalism requirements, while the OU coursework can be transferred to LU as well. What’s the difference to the normal Master’s program in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism? • The semester in Leipzig will provide you with a unique opportunity to specialize in European and German mass media and mass communication. The courses fulfill the requirements of our Master’s program and also of your Master’s degree from Leipzig University. In order to fulfill the requirements of both programs, you need to take courses as advised and you may have less flexibility with electives than other students. • While the language of instruction is English, you will also take a free, 4-week-long orientation and intensive language course in “survival German” at the beginning of your stay at the end of August. German universities start their Fall semester in October, which allows to use all of September for this orientation course. However, we strongly recommend that you take some basic German during the Spring and Summer before your departure. To navigate your life in Germany, you need at least some rudimentary knowledge of German. • Leipzig requires an academic thesis, which means that a professional project or the reading option are not accepted. Although it is possible to hand in a professional project at OU and, simultaneously, an academic thesis at Leipzig University, this option would require a fair amount of extra work and motivation. You should keep this in mind when applying. • Leipzig has a variety of media, ranging from the student-run Radio Mephisto, to a number of local newspapers and magazines, to the influential public broadcast station MDR (Mittel- deutscher Rundfunk). Students in the Double Degree Master’s program may explore internship and practicum opportunities, etc., to gain first-hand experience in a different cultural setting after completing their study abroad semester at LU. However, in this case, you would need to finance this yourself because your fellowship is Newsroom of student-run Radio Mephisto. (Photo: Bernhard Debatin, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism) strictly limited to the 5½ months of study abroad.

A list of typical courses for the completion of the Double Degree Master’s is outlined in the following table, with the third semester as the study abroad semester at Leipzig University: Credit Hours at OU at LU First Semester (Ohio University) JOUR 5010 "Intro to Graduate Studies" (1 crh) 1 JOUR 8030 “Seminar in Mass Communication Theory” (4 crh) 4 replaces LU module 06-05-501 "Systematische Kommunikationswissenschaft/Communication Science" (10 ECTS) JOUR 8060 "Research Methods" (4 crh) 4 replaces LU module 06-05-502 “Allgemeine Methoden/Research Methods” (10 ECTS) JOUR 5100 “Communication Law” (3 crh) 3 replaces LU module 06-05-507 “Kommunikationstheorie & Medienrecht /Communication Theory and Communication Law” (10 ECTS) JOUR 6011 “Writing/Reporting” (3 crh, only if needed) (3) replaces LU module 06-05-509 “Praktikum/Internship” (10 ECTS) Second Semester (Ohio University) JOUR 7XXX or 8XXX “Advanced Research Techniques” (4 crh) 4 replaces LU module 06-05-504 “Spezielle Methoden I/Advanced Methods I” (10 ECTS) JOUR 7XXX “Advanced Research Techniques” (ART) or “Seminar in Research 3 Topics” (SRT) (3 crh) replaces LU module 06-05-508 “Spezielle Methoden II/Advanced Methods II” (10 ECTS) JOUR 8130 "Internet, Ethics, and Society" (4 crh) 4 replaces LU module 06-05-506 "Film- und Fernsehökonomie/Film and Television Economy” (10 ECTS) JOUR 6010 Graphics/Editing (3 crh, only if needed) (3) replaces LU module 06-05-510 “Forschungs- und Anwendungsfelder der KMW II/Independent Study” (10 ECTS) Third Semester (Study Abroad at Leipzig University)* JOUR 5020 “Thesis Proposal” or JOUR 7930 “Indep. Study” (1 crh, with OU professor) 1 Research Topics (Forschungsfelder der KMW 1, Modul 06-005-503) “Research Topics 1&2” (2 crh + 2 crh) 7 replaces OU course JOUR 7XXX or 8XXX or “Seminar in Research Topics” (4 crh) “International Media and Communication 1 & 2“ (3 crh) replaces OU Course JOUR 5XXX, 6XXX, or 7XXX “Elective” (3 crh) Elective: Open (must be in the fields of Journalism/Communication- and Media Studies or have a focus on these fields; usually Leipzig will offer a designated courses) 4 “Elective 1 & 2” (2 + 2 crh) replaces OU Course JOUR 5XXX, 6XXX, or 7XXX “Elective” (4 crh) Fourth Semester (Ohio University/Leipzig University) JOUR 6950 “Thesis” (3 crh) - (online, with LU thesis committee member) 3 Thesis will be supervised and assessed by a thesis committee consisting of members from both partner institutions. 27 11 Adding up to the required total of 38 Cr. Hours 120 ETCS * Students may take additional elective classes at Leipzig University, which are not needed to fulfill the degree requirements for Ohio University but can be taken without any problem.

Duration and Important Dates The study abroad stay in Leipzig usually starts with an orientation at the end of August followed by a 4-week-long course during September in German language and culture, sponsored by the DAAD. The actual semester in Leipzig begins in early October and ends at the beginning of February, usually around February 10. Please note that the study This means, you will come back to Athens after the first three weeks abroad fellowship for the of the OU Spring Semester, but this should not be a problem because third semester in Leipzig you will likely not need to take any classes at this point except your usually cannot be extended past the five months of the thesis hours to write your thesis. program. If you want to stay In case you still do have to take some classes upon your return to OU, longer, you will have to find you will need to contact the instructor and obtain permission to miss other sources of funding the first three weeks, due to your involvement in the Leipzig program. (see also below, “Preparing Your Stay in Leipzig,” p. 10). This should not create any serious problems, but you will likely be asked to do some make-up work for the missed class time. If you enroll for the fourth semester at OU to receive a tuition waiver and stipend, you will have to do GA work upon your return. Therefore, you shall return as soon as possible, at the latest by February 15, so that you can fulfill your duties as a GA. To coordinate this, it is best to contact proactively the graduate director and the professor you will work with.

Students from Leipzig University are visiting a 2012 media ethics class at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. (Photo: Robert Stewart, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism)

Thesis Requirement Students are expected to submit and defend a master’s thesis proposal by the end of their third semester. However, it is highly advisable that you get a chair and committee together and also find your topic by the end of your second semester. Ideally, you would defend your proposal before your departure, or at least get it to a point where you can easily defend it by the end of

your semester in Leipzig. We are working toward setting up a more formalized system to guarantee that students work toward and complete their proposal during their stay in Leipzig. The thesis shall be written in English and will be submitted to both institutions. Students submitting their thesis must be enrolled with each university. The thesis must fulfill the thesis requirements for both programs. As mentioned above, Leipzig University only recognizes academic theses. Professional project and reading option are not available in the double degree program. If you do want to do a professional project, you must submit an extended version (>60 pages) of your research paper to fulfil the Leipzig thesis requirement. The thesis proposal and the actual thesis will be supervised and assessed by a thesis committee consisting of the chair and two additional advisory committee members from both partner institutions. The chair will typically come from the home institution of the student. Both universities will issue their own master’s degree diplomas, together with a certificate document indicating the shared nature of the qualification with the following language: “XXX has successfully completed the binational double degree master’s program “Master of Arts in Global Mass Communication” (Leipzig University) and “Master of Science in Journalism” (Ohio University) in which the language of instruction is English. This program is jointly organized by Leipzig University (Leipzig, Saxony, Germany) and Ohio University (Athens, Ohio, United States of America).” The OU master’s thesis document can be accessed at http://scrippsjschool.org/masters/. An English version of the Leipzig University master’s thesis requirements will be available soon. Application Information To apply to the Double Degree Master’s Program, please use the application form that will be distributed during the mandatory orientation meeting on the Friday before the semester starts. All applications are due by October 1. To be eligible for application, you must have a bachelor’s degree, be admitted into the MS Journalism program, and have a TOEFL score of 100 (IBT) or better, if you are not a native English speaker. Due to its limited capacity of only up to five students per year, admission into the program needs to be selective. Applicants will be selected based on their overall performance, promise, and demonstrated interest in the field, as well as interest in the program and motivation. To this end, you will meet with the Program Director for an interview, which takes place in early October and will typically take 20 to 30 minutes. The decision about admission into the program will be made soon after the interviews are completed, usually around mid October.. How do you best prepare for the interview? The interview will focus on your academic interests, overall motivation, and extracurricular activities, as well as your promise to succeed in an intercultural environment. Keep in mind that this is a conversation, not an exam. There is no specific subject matter to learn and there are no right or wrong answers. As with any competitive and selective process, it is helpful if you do your homework and conduct some background research.

To provide an analogy: For a job interview, you would look into the company, its purpose and location, its organizational culture and history, and the specifics of the job you’re applying for. And you would also try to figure out who your future colleagues would be, and what kind of requirements and opportunities may come with this job. And you would consider how you match the expectations for the job and how you fit into the company’s overall profile. Make sure you also think about questions you might have about the program.

Preparing Your Stay in Leipzig If you are admitted into the program, there will be a number of things you have to deal with in a timely and responsible manner. First of all, always remember that you’re not just embarking on this program as an independent individual. You are an ambassador for the program, the Journalism School, Ohio University, and also the U.S. In particular, your behavior will have a lasting impact on the future of the Double Degree Program. As a participant in this program, you are expected to always display a proactive, responsible, and polite attitude. This implies that you assume full responsibility for tracking your email, obtaining all necessary travel documents, and dealing with all matters in a timely and proactive manner. The program can only work if everybody is an active participant, rather than a passive consumer. Also, remember that being in this program is an honor that must be earned continuously, and not an entitlement. This requires that you are proactive in your communication and your actions. Specifically, it is your responsibility to keep the program directors and coordinators on both sides in the loop. As a rule, you should never act on mere assumption and instead always ask when something is unclear. We are happy to help, but we can only do that if we know what’s going on. Please make it a habit to CC us on relevant emails, such as to offices and authorities. Please understand that we reserve the right to remove anybody from the program who does not act responsibly and cooperatively, as we have to protect the program from the damage this might do to it and to relationships we have with administrative offices on both sides. Enrolling at Leipzig University: Soon after you are admitted into the program, you must enroll at LU. Our partners in Leipzig will help with the online enrollment. Some of the websites are in German, so you will need that help. Please note that this is only your general enrollment at LU, you will sign up for actual classes only once you are in Leipzig, similar to how you only enroll for OU classes during the orientation meeting before the semester start. Tuition Waiver and Stipend: Assuming you are eligible for a tuition waiver and stipend, you will have a special status during your time at Leipzig University that allows you to receive your stipend as a fellowship without the obligation to work as a GA. This is a special privilege, not a right or entitlement. To receive your fellowship, you must be enrolled for no more than one credit hour at OU. You must enroll for JOUR 5020 (Thesis Proposal). Please deal with this in a timely manner. Your fellowship can only be processed if you are enrolled for one credit hour. à Please understand that your study abroad fellowship at Leipzig University is for one semester (five months) only. To receive your OU tuition waiver and stipend in your fourth (Spring) semester, you must return to Athens no later than February 15 and resume your GA work at OU. Extensions are possible only in exceptional cases (e.g. internship or research requiring your stay in Germany). As a rule, if you want to stay longer, you need to find an independent way of financing it.

Costs: There is no tuition at Leipzig University, only a small study fee of about $250. The overall amount of out-of-pocket costs is about $8500 for your stay in Leipzig from September to mid-February. This includes a round-trip airfare (ca. $1,700), costs for passport and pictures ($165), health insurance (ca. $800), personal expenses (food ca. $2,250, incidentals ca. $1500), accommodation (ca. $1700), residency permit (ca. $150), basic cell phone plan ($100), as well as the enrollment and study fee (ca. $250). Please keep in mind that this is an estimate for planning purposes. In reality, it will vary, depending on your life-style, the exchange rate, gas prices, accommodation, and other factors. Additional expenses for visa application apply, as well. If you are eligible for financial aid, you must present a detailed budget upon your application for financial support. Please note that all classes taken in Leipzig must be able to be transferred to OU to be eligible for federal financial aid. More info at the Office of Student Financial Aid. Passport and Visa: If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a visa but you must have a valid passport that does not expire during your stay abroad. You have two weeks to register with the local authorities, the Bürgeramt (citizen office), with your accommodation lease, passport, health insurance documents, and university enrollment document. You need the Meldebescheinigung (registration) document from the Bürgeramt to get registered with the Ausländerbehörde (foreigner office, the German equivalent of an immigration authority) in Leipzig in order to obtain your Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit). For this, you have up to 90 days. If you were to fail to do that in this time frame, you’d be considered an illegal alien. If you are an international student, you must apply for a visa to enter the European Union (the “Schengen Member States”) and you also must inquire early on, best immediately after you’re admitted into the program, if your current student visa and your country’s passport allow you to travel to the European Union. To apply, you must present a valid US residence visa, i.e. your J1 visa plus all J1 documents. The U.S. residence visa must be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States. You also need proof of a valid health insurance and of sufficient funds (details for both see below). The visa application process for non-US-citizens can be quite cumbersome and requires a proactive and attentive attitude. The German Consulate in Chicago is in charge of granting visas for foreign students at Ohio University. You must deal with this consulate only. In particular, you must not go back to your home country and apply for you visa from there because for Germany, you are a student studying in the U.S., even if coming from a third country. However, once you have your visa for the European Union, you’re free to travel to your home country and you may travel to Germany from there as opposed to from the U.S. The visa application usually takes some time, up to 12 weeks. It can also take up to 6 weeks to even get an appointment at the Consulate. This means, you need to get your application in no later than April 1, otherwise you may not be able to travel to Leipzig on time. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork ready. In particular, you need the letter of financial support (showing the monthly sum of your stipend, its duration, and the total sum, including other scholarships you may have), and you also need the letter of admission from Leipzig University. Please alert us if you do not have your letter of admission by March 15, so that we can accelerate the process. It is your responsibility to request current visa policy information from the German Consulate (https://www.germany.info/us-en/embassy-consulates/generalkonsulat3) and to understand their appointment system and whatever else they require.

Be prepared to travel to the Chicago Consulate several times because some of the details can be tricky and may require that you appear in person, such as proof of health insurance and proof of financial support. For the latter, you must prove that you have about € 750 per month in Leipzig at your disposal. This will likely from your fellowship. However, if that is not the case and only then, you must either open a blocked bank account in Germany containing sufficient funds, or provide a Declaration of Formal Obligation (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) from your parents or another guarantor, certifying that they are supporting you and will cover all your expenses during the entire period abroad. For more details about the three options of proving sufficient funds please visit https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/05-VisaEinreise/study-visa/916776). Health insurance: All program participants must keep their OU health insurance and buy an additional mandatory travel packet through OGO (the Office of Global Opportunities) that covers the specific requirements for study abroad in Germany. Without this, you can neither enroll in Leipzig nor can you obtain a visa or the permit to stay in Germany (Aufenthaltsgeneh- migung). Your health insurance documents include the insurance policy (which you need to show to the Ausländerbehörde) to obtain your permit to stay in Germany, the handwritten OU confirmation of health insurance (to present the enrollment office at LU), your insurance card (needed for medical services in Germany), and some other material. Make sure you understand which document is needed for what purpose. If you are an international student, the German Consulate may also require that buy an additional travel insurance that covers the first weeks in Germany. It is your responsibility to apply for the health insurance, to work out the details with OGO (the Office of Global Opportunities), and to pick up all your travel documents when they are ready. Please be proactive about the process and keep in mind that everybody is very busy at this office. OGO will also hold a number of orientational meetings and workshops regarding insurance and study abroad issues. These meetings are mandatory for program members. Accommodation: The so-called Studentenwerk of Leipzig University offers a number of rather inexpensive dorm-options, most of which are single rooms in shared suites. A room usually doesn’t cost more than €300 per month, including heating, electricity, furnishing, cable TV, ancillary costs, and internet. The Studentenwerk has an English language web page on their dorms at https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/housing. To apply, please go to https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/dormitory-application. Our partners in Leipzig will help you with the application process. To apply, you need your letter of admission, so it is important that you keep track of this and let us know if you do not have the letter by March 15. Also, once you have applied for a room, you’ll receive an email from the Studentenwerk every 2 to 4 weeks asking if you’re still interested and you must respond in order to stay on the list and be eligible for a room. You will likely need to make a year-long contract, but you can get out of the contract with advanced notice (watch for the deadline!) and a letter from Leipzig University certifying that you are only staying for one semester. Their email is [email protected]. Take a look at their FAQs, too: https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/questions-answers. Alternatively, some students also look for a private room-mate option (Wohngemeinschaft or WG), but this may be difficult because you will only be there for one semester and not a whole year and most landlords want year-long contracts, just like in Athens. Therefore, it is usually better to use the dorm option. Keep in mind, if you want to stay beyond the duration of the

semester in Leipzig, you will have to pay for this yourself, as your fellowship cannot be extended past the five months (September to February) of your studies at Leipzig University. Also, it is important to know that private options in a WG usually means that there is barely any furnishing. Thus, living in a WG can be rather expensive.

Psychological Issues and Culture Shock Studying abroad for half a year is a different thing than travelling abroad for vacation or a short conference trip. Your normal support systems will be gone for quite some time and you will be much more on your own. You will encounter many things in your everyday life that are quite different from your normal expectations and assumptions. Even if you are an emotionally and mentally healthy and happy person, don’t underestimate the impact of living in a foreign country and culture, of which you don’t even speak the language. So, before you embark on a longer study abroad trip, you should do an honest and open inquiry into your ability to deal with additional stress. Problems you typically encounter at home may be magnified abroad, as it can be difficult and daunting to complete even simple everyday tasks, such as shopping or going to classes when you don’t know the language and culture. Culture shock may creep up on you slowly and almost indiscernibly. It is important to realize that some amount of culture shock is normal and unavoidable, as it is part of the learning process and not your mistake or failure. Most of the time, culture shock is rather mild and easy to deal with. Culture shock usually comes in five stages: honeymoon, distress and hostility, orientation and adjustment, bicultural adaptation, re-entry shock or reverse culture shock upon returning home. The most difficult stage, distress and hostility, typically only lasts a couple of weeks and often happens in the third or fourth month. You may feel confused, irritable, and alone. This is absolutely normal. For most people, this stage of culture shock is only mildly annoying and it can be coped with through social contacts, intercultural curiosity, and the help of friends and family. It is usually accompanied with or followed by the orientation and adaptation stage, in which you start to understand and accept the foreign culture. But occasionally, in case of severe culture shock, it can last longer and manifest itself in strong homesickness, feeling of isolation, withdrawal, loss of focus, anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue, feeling ill, self-doubt, drug and alcohol abuse, or being annoyed about local customs, etc . Dealing with culture shock is easier if you get involved in things you like to do at home, too, such as sports, arts, yoga, singing, dancing, etc. It also helps a lot to find other international students, join a club, or participate in social activities sponsored by student organizations. Generally, it is a good idea to talk to people, particularly when you feel like you want to withdraw. Homesickness can be overcome easier if you regularly talk to friends and family at home via Skype, Snapchat, or WhatsApp. And, of course, you should also try to understand the new culture and be open to it. While it is good to hang out with friends you already know, you should make a conscious effort to step out of your comfort zone. Get outside to explore the neighbor- hood, walk around, find your favorite café, go on tours to discover the place, try to learn at least some of the language, and, above all, keep a good sense of humor and self-confidence. Other strategies: Keeping a journal is a good way to deal with stress, anxiety, and self-doubt when you feel overwhelmed and confused. Also, it helps if you create a homey environment in the place where you stay, so that it feels like home. Finally, you should take advantage of the

support system that already exists, your friends from the cohort, advisers, program coordinators, as well as spiritual or religious mentors. What if your culture shock is really severe? Living in a foreign country and culture can make you vulnerable to psychological crisis. A conflict that may have been smoldering for a while, such as a crisis in a relationship, can surface and become painfully acute. Or, you may already have been dealing with anxiety, ADHD, or depression but thought it was under control and now it hits you again with full force. Culture shock can indeed exacerbate existing psychological problems, even if they were well managed at home. If you feel that this is happening, you should not hesitate to seek professional help. Make sure, though, you know what your insurance will cover. For instance, your insurance might require that you see a medically trained psychiatrist, rather than only a therapist or counselor. • Please note that Leipzig University offers a psychological counseling service free of charge and in English language. Their phone number is 0341-971-8848. More info at https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/counselling-social-issues/psychosocial-counselling. • There is also an English-speaking therapist, Dr. Lucy Tinning, with a private practice in Leipzig, who among other things, specializes in problems related to anxiety, depression, and international relocation (see https://www.thegardenpractice.com/, phone: 0162-283-8525). In any event, you should also let us know here in Ohio, as well as your program coordinator in Leipzig, if you are not doing well. This is nothing to be ashamed of and, as a rule, the more trustworthy people you let in on this, the better the support system for you. It is unfortunately very easy to get sidetracked and to lose focus due to psychological stress. If you notice that this is happening, likely together with the culture shock, remember why you came to Leipzig in the first place, that you want to earn the Double Degree and that you seek the cultural experience of study abroad. Try to rediscover and rekindle your curiosity and your love for learning. And please don’t hide and withdraw, that’s the worst you can do, as it only aggravates the situation.

Issues Specific to Studying in Germany An additional factor to keep in mind is that the German university system is very different from a U.S. graduate school. The U.S. system keeps you under permanent stress with writing weekly response papers, continuous reading requirements, and other assignments. In Germany, the work is typically spread, with much fewer assignments, over the semester and the ensuing two-months semester break. Thus, there is much less stress during the semester, but then there’s the expectation that you write a big paper afterwards. With few graded assignments, it is easy to lose track of what you need to do to successfully complete your course. Also, course syllabi tend to be less detailed than in the U.S. Do not hesitate to ask your professors early on for details on assignments or any other issues you may not know or understand. Some things are culturally self-evident to Germans and will thus not be explained in a syllabus, such as how to do a “Referat” – a presentation in a seminar. Similarly, you may receive very little information on the final paper (“Hausarbeit”), as the assumption is that everybody knows how to do it, anyway. The general expectation is that it is around 20 pages, deals with a topic or question related to the course, and satisfies academic standards of sourcing, research, and argumentation. As a rule, it should be written like a research report, regardless of whether it is a theoretical paper or an empirical project or some mix.

The assumption in Germany is that you’re intrinsically motivated, that you read as needed, that you track your assignments independently, and that you do not need any reminders. Professors may not even require attendance or check your homework, as they assume that you’re mature and self-responsible. Thus, you need to make an extra effort when studying in Germany to carefully track your assignments and to take charge of your responsibilities. Generally, there is much less hand-holding at German universities than in the U.S. This is partly because you’re not seen as a customer in an expensive, business-like institution but as an independent person, driven by your educational interest. It is thus completely up to you how much you pursue or neglect that interest. People assume that you’ll deal with your life in a mature and responsible way and that you ask for help if you need it. Once you ask, most people are actually ready to help, but the assumption is that you’re fine as long as you don’t ask. As in any culture, many things are taken for granted in Germany and you may be expected to follow those unspoken rules. For instance, most Germans are big sticklers for punctuality. Seminars usually start at a quarter past the hour and you better be there on time. Arriving late, even a few minutes, is considered very impolite and ill-mannered. It is indeed a good idea to always arrive a couple minutes early. This is actually true for both formal meetings, such as a class, and informal get-togethers, such as a party at a friend’s house. Germans can also be quite status-conscious and tend to be more formal than Americans. For instance, the word “professor” is not simply a synonym for teacher. In Germany, it is an honorable title of achievement that you only acquire once you’re appointed as a full-time professor. Consequently, a graduate student who teaches a class is not a professor, but “only” an instructor (“Dozent” or “Lehrer”). Therefore, an actual professor should always be addressed with their title and last name, e.g. “Professor Schmitt,” unless they offer to be on a first name basis. Similarly, an individual with a Ph.D. who is not yet a professor should be addressed as “Doctor” plus last name, unless instructed otherwise. Ignoring such status differences may be perceived as rude and ignorant. As a rule, it is never a mistake to be polite and obliging. However, negotiating these issues—including when to use the German honorific “Sie” instead of the informal “Du”—can be stressful, as it is not always obvious, when formal language and behavior are expected. Don’t hesitate to ask. Germans usually appreciate when you’re straight forward, as long as you’re respectful and not presumptuous or rude. As much as Germans appreciate formal and polite style, they tend to be much more direct and open in their interactions than Americans. Honest critique and detailed feedback are seen as a friendly and welcome form of communication, often even as a standard way of bonding, while many Americans may perceive this as blunt, negative, or impolite. Germans don’t like to beat around the bush and they won’t fill an embarrassing moment with small talk. They will usually let you know what they like or dislike, including their political views, and they value honesty much more than meaningless pleasantry or conflict-aversive phrases. The indirect, noncommittal Midwestern talk (e.g. saying “that’s different” when you actually really hate something) leaves Germans only confused and puzzled. And while Germans are commonly quite friendly, they tend to avoid small talk. They may interpret American small-talk and niceties as superficial and inauthentic, as they value true friendship over artificially put-on friendliness. Also, many Germans value order and efficiency. For instance, Germans separate their garbage orderly by many different categories of recyclables and compostables. Also, keeping your workplace orderly is a must, not only because it looks neat, but because it is an efficient and reasonable thing to do. Similarly, if you go to a class or meet with a work group, it is assumed

that you will be prepared, as that is a reasonable condition for learning and collaborating efficiently. While Americans may come with a vague “big picture” idea and assume they can somehow wing it, Germans tend to be thoroughly prepared and rather focused. So, if you talk to a professor about a final paper or your thesis plans, you will be expected to have done some preliminary research and developed some ideas, rather than assuming that the professor will tell you what to do. Although people are always happy to help, showing up unprepared for a meeting will likely be seen as rude and wasting the other person’s time. Finally, one of the big puzzles for Americans in Germany is a rather small issue: How do you tip in a restaurant? Technically, the tip (“Bedienung,” service) is included in the price, as is always the sales tax (“Mehrwertsteuer,” value added tax). So, you could simply pay your bill and walk away. However, tipping is socially expected and it is the polite thing to do. While there is no clear-cut rule, most people will give about 10% if the total sum is above 10 €. Below that, e.g. if it is a 2.50 € coffee or a 3.70 € beer, people often simply round up to the next Euro value, i.e. leaving 3 € for the coffee and 4 € for the beer. If it is, say, 4.10 € then most people will round up to 4.50 €. In other words, the rounding should not be out of proportion, but at the same time show that you appreciate the service. The tipping rules also apply to hair cutters, cab drivers, bellhops, room service, and other such services. This will feel strange at the beginning, but after a while you’ll just do it. ------For additional information, see Ohio University’s Handbook for Students Going Abroad, p. 29 (https://www.ohio.edu/global/goglobal/students/upload/FINAL_Handbook_6-16-10.pdf). This handbook also has a plethora of other tips and tricks, including handy packing lists, health and safety tips, and emergency info. More helpful links: https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-culture-shock-while-studying-abroad https://www.isepstudyabroad.org/while-you-are-abroad/adjusting-to-a-different-culture http://studentsabroad.com/handbook/adjustments-and-culture-shock.php?country=United%20States ------Contact For additional information on the program and application questions please contact: • Program Director of the Double Degree Master’s Program at Ohio University, Dr. Bernhard Debatin, email: [email protected] or phone: 740-593-9809

Other Relevant Contacts • Graduate Director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Dr. Aimee Edmondson, email: [email protected] • Program Director of the Double Degree Master’s Program at Leipzig University, Dr. Alexander Godulla, email: [email protected] • Leipzig Program Coordinator: Rosanna Planer, email: [email protected]