The International PDS in Nürtingen, Germany provides opportunities for teacher education students across grade levels and academic disciplines to delve into Germany education and culture. Additionally, teachers from Germany are provided an opportunity to work and observe in American schools. Teacher candidates and faculty/staff travel to Germany every other summer for approximately two and a half weeks. Teachers from Germany visit Buffalo during the spring semester for two weeks.
Travel: July 2025 (3 weeks)
Cohort Meetings: Spring Semester 2025
Accepting Applications: Yes
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Visit from German Teachers: June 2025
Nürtingen, Germany (view map) is a small, historic, town located near Stuttgart - the home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche - in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. With the Black Forest only an hour away, Nürtingen is surrounded by hills, valleys, parks, and vineyards. The average July temperature is 68°F with a daily average of over 15 hours of daylight. German is the national language.
Final program costs are determined once all participants are enrolled. The current program estimate of $4000 is all inclusive and consists of: round-trip flight, lodging, group ground transportation, group cultural excursions, travel health and evacuation insurance, administrative fees, and passport. Some expenses are included in a one-time fee applied to participants' Buffalo State tuition. Other expenses participants direct-pay to vendors before and during travel.
Buffalo State Leaders
Tamara Horstman-Riphahn, School of Education
Brandon Kawa, International Graduate Program for Educators
International Partner
Staatliches Seminar für Didaktik und Lehrerbildung (Grundschule) Nürtingen
In addition to sending participants to Germany, the School of Education welcomes visitors from Germany to the United States. New teachers from Institute Nürtingen, along with their faculty leaders, spend two weeks in the Buffalo-area each spring semester.
Applications are accepted through the School of Education during open application periods only (see above). Applicants must submit a completed application form, essay of intent, one academic reference, and a copy of past grades and current course registration. A typed application form is preferred; handwritten is acceptable.
Eligibility:
- Open to all current Buffalo State undergraduate or graduate students - including those graduating the May prior travel
- Priority given to education majors
- Must maintain good academic standing
- Must be able to obtain passport
- Area Pk-12 educators (space permitting)
Follow Germany participants as they experience life abroad.
View individual profiles of past participants - colorful demonstrations of the impact of IPDS programs on the personal and professional lives of our students.
Juliane discusses how participating in the IPDS Germany trip inspired her to continue working in international schools.
Dan discusses what it means to be a “global educator” while working in German schools.
