Cultural Program and Sightseeing

Aside from high-quality Classes, it is an explicit goal of the IS4 to offer a cultural program to the participating students. There will be two excursions on Aug, 3rd to the city of Eisenach including a visit to Wartburg Castle and on Aug, 10th to the Volkswagen Plant Autostadt in Wolfsburg.  In addition, social activities (sport events, pub tour, museums, barbecues, etc.) are planned as part of  the IS4.

The first excursion will take place on Sat Aug, 3rd to the town of Eisenach. The city was founded in the late 12C and is inevitably associated with the Fortress of Wartburg, which symbolises the spirit and character of Germany. From the 13C, troubadours took part in verbal jousts here, thereby inspiring the theme of Wagner's Tannhäuser. It was at Eisenach that Martin Luther translated the New Testament. Johann Sebastian Bach was born here in 1685. In 1817, the fortress was the site of a manifestation designed to stimulate patriotism.  After the unification of Germany in 1989, the historic part of Eisenach was beautifully reconstructed.

The second excursion will take place on Sat, Aug 10th to the Volkswagen Autostadt in Wolfburg. The Volkswagen Group is one of the leading car manufacturers in the world and the largest car manufacturer in Europe. Nine models of cars in seven European countries are held by the group: Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Scania, SEAT, ?koda and Volkswagen commercial vehicles. Aside from a guided tour through the factory, the Autostadt will offer a cultural program and various entertainments including a driving parcour, water world, outlet center, the Wolfburg Soccer Stadium and others.

In addition to the two excursions mentioned above, students will experience Kassel and the region of North Hessia. There are visits planned to various museums in Kassel and it?s famous Mountain Park with Wilhelmshöhe Castle. Kassel was the home of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm whose work had a lasting effect on artistic developments in Germany and Europe. Their fairytale collection became famous worldwide. They spent a large part of their lives in Kassel. The city is located in the geographical centre of Germany on the Fulda River in Northern Hessia. Kassel has approximately 195,000 inhabitants and is known for it?s beautiful parcs and the documenta - the world?s largest exhibition of contemporary art.