Sustainable Chemistry along the Rhine River: Germany and Switzerland

Please note that this program is highly competitive and there is a possibility that it will fill up before the designated deadline. We recommend that you apply for the program after it opens as soon as possible. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as they will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.

The Rhine River Valley is at the heart of industrial and urban sustainability efforts in Europe and provides an ideal opportunity to collaborate with industry and academic leaders in sustainable chemistry.

This faculty-led course will explore urbanization, biodiversity, conservation, climate change adaptation, and mitigation, in a region at the forefront of advancement in these areas.

Faculty Directors

Adam Brummett, Chemistry Faculty

Stratis Giannakouros, Office of Sustainability and Environment

Program Dates

Travel dates for summer 2025 will be May 25 - June 9, 2025.

Program Activities

Students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of academic and cultural activities focused around course topics. These may include:

• Welcome Dinner in Zurich
• Visit with a pharmaceutical company such as Novartis
• Guided walking tour of Basel focusing on sustainability and urban planning
• View the Great Aletsch Glacier
• Cruise of Lake Zurich
• Guided tour of the World Nature Forum
• Visit to Carbonfuture
• Guided tour of the Vauban district in Freiamt
• Guided tour of Strasbourg's Ecoquartier
• Free time to explore the cities included in the itinerary
• Farewell Dinner

For More Information

For more details about this program please contact Faculty Director Adam Brummett, Faculty Director Stratis Giannakouros, or Study Abroad Program Coordinator Lindsay Budde.

Germany

Germany is the most populous member of the EU, has the world’s 4th largest economy, and boasts a high standard of living. It is famous for its contributions to the arts and sciences throughout history. You can learn more about Germany at Deutschland.de

Switzerland

Switzerland is situated in Western and Central Europe, and is bordered by Italy, France Germany, Austria & Liechtenstein. Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world, with the highest nominal wealth per adult. It ranks at or near the top globally in several metrics of national performance, including government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic competitiveness, & human development.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Students will share hotel rooms (typically double occupancy) with another program participant, including private bathrooms and wifi access.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins.

The UI Passport Office processes new U.S. passport applications and child/minor renewal applications.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website. Most adult renewals must be done by mail.

Important notice:
Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If yours is not, you must renew your passport.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Students will receive instructions for booking flights after the Confirmation Deadline (in late February). A suggested group flight will be shared with the group and students will make their own arrangements.

Those who do not have extensive travel experience are encouraged to book the suggested group flight.

Local Transportation

Transportation for most course activities is provided, including a group airport pickup and drop-off at the beginning and end of the course.

Eligibility

• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.
  
• Open to students of all majors with Sophomore standing or above..
  
• Completion of CHEM:1120 with a minimum grade of C-
  
• Walking and Hiking: There is some significant walking and hiking scheduled for this program. To learn more about the specifics, and what accommodations can be made, please contact the faculty leaders
  
• Approval by faculty director and UI Study Abroad.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming.
  
• Clear interest and commitment: This program is open to students of all academic backgrounds. Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  

*Please note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from the end of January onward. There are a limited number of spots on the course, so later applicants will be placed on a waitlist. If an accepted student declines their spot, it will be offered to the next student on the waitlist.

Cost

The Course Fee for the summer 2025 session is $5,300.

Included in course fee:

• Academic instruction and guided tours
• 3 semester hours of UI credit
• Accommodation
• Ground transport from and to Zurich airport
• Transportation for all course activities
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• Breakfasts at accommodation
• 24/7 staff support

Cost Sheets

Students will be responsible for paying many of their program costs through their University of Iowa U-Bill, while other costs will be out-of-pocket costs paid by the student directly to vendors before and after going abroad. Refer to the cost sheet below for details on the costs associated with this program.

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program. UI Financial Aid uses this document to determine financial aid eligibility for the program. The cost sheet includes fees charged on each students’ U-Bill, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual depending on your spending habits. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

A cost sheet for summer 2025 is provided below.

Cost Sheet- Summer 2025

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• Program course fees, housing, flight, and other costs of attendance

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application fee (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Course Fees (charged shortly before departure)
• Study Abroad Fees (charged shortly before departure)
• CISI Health Insurance (charged shortly before departure)

Out-of-pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Food not included in the course fee (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 8 - 12 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Local transportation (paid at student’s discretion while abroad)
• Passport (if required) (For students who do not have a valid passport at the time of application, passport fees are paid by the student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Immigration fees (if required) (paid by student upon arrival. If immigration fees are required, you will be contacted by your study abroad advisor.)
• Medical exam/immunizations (if required) (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, the Leona Zaharis Scholarship, and Global Access Ambassador scholarships awarded by UI Study Abroad. More information is available on the Scholarships for Study Abroad page.

Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are also eligible to apply for the Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship.

You should apply for any scholarships you are eligible for after you submit your program application, but before being accepted to the course.

Finally, most UI financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is applicable to study abroad programs. Please check the Study Abroad website for information on UI financial aid and how it may be applied to studying abroad.

How to Apply

UI Study Abroad Application

Applications open December 1

The application process requires:

• A completed online application, including a statement of interest in this program
• A copy of your completed grades from MyUI
• A photo of the information page of your passport (or check the box indicating you are applying for or renewing your passport)
• A $50 application fee, which will be charged to your u-bill after submitting your application

Application Deadline

January 21, 2025

Please note that this program is highly competitive and there is a possibility that it will fill up before the designated deadline. We recommend that you apply for the program after it opens as soon as possible. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as they will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.

Confirmation Materials

After receiving an Acceptance email for the course, students will have a window of time to review all details and costs before confirming their spot. This involves submitting a Confirmation of Participation Form to the Study Abroad Portal (provided at acceptance) and confirms both their spot on the course and their commitment to the course costs.

2025 Confirmation Deadline: February 2025

Health & Safety Planning

All students preparing to study abroad should review the following:

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Orientation

To prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

A mandatory, in-person orientation will be facilitated by the Faculty Leader and Study Abroad Coordinator before departure and will cover content specific to your program and host country.