BLOCKER STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
Julius G. Blocker ’53 was a visionary whose generous support of the work of the Center for Global Education will benefit generations of HWS students. During his undergraduate years at the Colleges, where he majored in modern languages, Julius developed an interest in Germany that would evolve into a lifelong passion. That interest grew while he earned a master’s in international affairs at Columbia University and during his time as a Fulbright scholar at the Freie Universität (Free University) in West Berlin. After returning to the US, Julius embarked on a long, successful career operating his family’s business. Upon his retirement, Julius made provisions to establish an endowed fund in honor of his late mother, Maria Blocker, through which he could share his passion for Germany. The Julius G. Blocker ’53 Endowed Fund provides generous support to students pursuing study abroad opportunities through one of the Colleges’ programs in Germany, enabling “Blocker Fellows” to experience German culture and society in much the same way Julius did.
Learn More About Global Education
PROGRAMS IN GERMANY
Berlin, Germany (Art and Architecture)
BECOME A BLOCKER FELLOW
Students applying to participate in HWS study abroad programs must complete all components of the online application by the published deadline in order to be considered for admission. Those seeking admission into any of the HWS semester or academic year programs in Germany are also encouraged to apply for financial support through the Julius G. Blocker ’53 Endowed Fund according to the provisions outlined below. Note that the IES programs in Berlin and Freiburg and the CityLab: Berlin program through Norwich University will only be available to students selected as Blocker Fellows and only for one semester. Blocker Fellows participating in semester or year-long programs (only students applying to the university-based programs in Leipzig or Tuebingen may apply for a full academic year) receive funding to offset the cost of room and board, international airfare, German residence permit, local transportation, and books/course materials. In addition, Blocker Fellows are encouraged to apply for additional funding to cover the cost of participation in a language immersion program prior to the semester.
FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Language Study: Although no prior language study is required at the time of admission, Fellowship recipients must take at least one semester of German prior to going abroad (including the semester before departure) and at least one course in German on site. Students are strongly encouraged to continue language study upon their return to the HWS campus.
- Blocker Cultural Project: All Blocker Fellows must maintain a blog while they are abroad that documents their encounters with German culture. Through this blog Fellows will provide updates on their cultural project, which must be completed upon their return to campus. The project may take a variety of forms (including a photographic display, a video/film, a written narrative or poetry, artwork, a website, etc.) and is designed to illustrate the student’s journey in Germany and what they learned about the country, its people and culture, and themselves. Students will present their projects on campus during the Blocker Showcase event and these will be utilized (with permission) as instructional materials in the German curriculum. Blocker Fellows will be required to provide regular updates during their time abroad.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND SELECTION PROCESS
Students interested in applying for financial support through the Julius G. Blocker ’53 Endowed Fund may do so as part of the same online application they submit for admission to one of the CGE programs in Germany. Blocker applicants are prompted to submit a separate essay outlining their interest in Germany and a description of the cultural project they would like to do while abroad. Applications must be submitted by the published deadline to be considered for an award. A committee comprised of representatives from the German Area Studies program, the Center for Global Education, and the Committee on Global Education will review applications and select recipients. The committee will consider applicants’ academic and social records, essay outlining interest in Germany and proposed cultural project, and faculty recommendation. Please note that while prior study of German language is not required at the time of application, a demonstrated interest in German language and culture is helpful. For further information visit the Center for Global Education (3rd floor Trinity Hall) or contact Professor Eric Klaus in the German Area Studies program (Smith Hall).