Summer in Germany and Austria

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Germany & Austria| Disability and Accessibility

Aerial view of Berlin at golden hour, with the iconic Fernsehturm television tower rising above a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, bridges, and the winding Spree River, Germany.Dates: May 22-31, 2027
Location: Berlin, Germany, Salzburg, Austria, and Hartheim, Austria
Cost: $3,775
Included: accommodations, in-country transportation, some meals, program events and activities, and study abroad fee
Not Included: Tuition, airfare
Application deadline: February 15th
Deposit: $575 March 1st (non-refundable)
Final payment deadline: $3,200 with summer tuition and fees deadline
Course information: COUN 611/813

Requirements: In order to attend a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program, students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to Bryan Johnson (johnson_mb@mercer.edu).

Led by Dr. K. Lynn Pierce and Dr. Kristina Henderson, this 3-credit counseling course takes graduate students to Berlin, Munich, and Salzburg from May 22–31, 2027, where they will examine disability rights, accessibility, and rehabilitation counseling through a comparative lens — exploring Universal Design in Berlin’s architecture and public transit, engaging with accessible tourism at an adventure retreat in Rheinsberg, and visiting Schloss Hartheim, an Aktion T4 memorial site, to grapple with the historical and ethical dimensions of the eugenics movement and its lasting impact on disability advocacy and counseling practice today.

For more information about this program please contact Dr. K. Lynn Pierce (pierce_k03@mercer.edu) or the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@mercer.edu, 478-301-4444).

What You'll Do

During this 10-day program, students will experience:

  • Two-day domestic intensive in Atlanta covering German history, the international eugenics movement, and the Aktion T4 program
  • Evening orientation bus tour of Berlin
  • Meeting with a local contact on disability rights and accessible architecture
  • Tour of the Berlin Wall Memorial and Parliament with a focus on Universal Design
  • Overnight stay at Weg Nach Schonbirken, an accessible adventure retreat, with discussion on accessible tourism in Germany
  • Outing to the Rheinsberg lake district exploring accessible outdoor spaces
  • Tour of Berlin’s main train station as a model of Universal Design
  • Light rail journey to Munich exploring public transportation accessibility
  • Guided group tour of Schloss Hartheim Aktion T4 memorial and education center
  • Faculty-led education programming and seminar at Schloss Hartheim
  • Structured processing and debrief groups following the Hartheim site visit
  • Free day to explore Salzburg independently

*These activities are subject to change based on availability when booking.

Application Process

To apply: Please click on the “Apply Now” button in the overview section and fill out all of the information requested.

Application deadline: ​​​​​​​February 15th
Decision date: February 16th
Deposit: $575 (non-refundable) due by March 1st to hold your place in the program.
Final payment deadline: $3,200 by summer tuition and fees spring deadline

Academics

COUN 611/813 – Special Topics in Counseling: Disability and Accessibility in Germany Austria

3 credit hours

Course Description

This course examines disability, accessibility, rehabilitation counseling, and disability rights through a comparative exploration of Germany and the United States. Students will analyze how social, political, and cultural contexts shape disability policy, accessibility standards, and rehabilitation practices through experiential learning, site visits, and intercultural engagement. Through engagement with museums, disability organizations, and community stakeholders, students will develop intercultural competence, ethical awareness, and global perspectives relevant to rehabilitation counseling and disability justice.

In years where the University calendar permits: This course’s dates are aligned with the European Trade Fair for Rehabilitation, Therapy, Care and Inclusion and the Therapist’s Congress. These events are held in summer of odd years in Karlsruhe and bring together professionals and non-professional visitors to “exchange ideas and learn about the latest technical aid, assistance technologies, and mobility aids”. The trade fair features nearly 100 lectures and over 400 exhibitors in a barrier free exhibition complex.

Budget

What is included in the program fee: 

  • Some meals
  • Lodging
  • Transportation in country
  • Entry fees and required activities
  • Study Abroad application fee
  • International Insurance

What is not included in the program fee:

  • Tuition*
  • Airfare
  • Souvenirs
  • Transportation to and from the ATL airport

*Tuition is dependent upon your current enrollment and your college’s tuition fees for the semester of your program. If you are enrolled as a graduate student in the College of Professional Advancement, the 3 credits for this program will be charged at $780-898 (tuition) per credit hour (depending on your enrollment and course of study) (total of $2,340-$2,694 for tuition). These numbers are subject to change at the discretion of the university. For a current list of tuition costs, please visit the Bursar’s office at College of Professional Advancement – The Office of the Bursar.