For Students:

Welcome to the program's CDS webpage. The idea behind this page is to collect information about and for all parties involved: the university, CDS International, the host companies, and you, the participants. The page details basic information about the program, and the health insurance option available through CDS. It has application materials available for download, and offers email links to Gayle Elliott and Isabell Kowalk, your contact person at CDS. Dawn Price is your contact person at InWEnt gGmbH (formerly the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft) in Germany, you will also find her contact information below. The webpage also provides potential host companies with the information they need, in German: program details, information on what they can expect from students, and the company contact information form we need for your work authorization.

Host company placement: If you are searching for your own placement, go to Job Search for helpful information.

Co-op Jobs: Co-op placements should be finialized by the end of December, 2003. However, don't worry if this is not the case. Decision making is a long-winding road in Germany, as you will find out soon enough. Additional time can be allowed if necessary.

Living and working in a different country can be tough, even if you speak the language and the culture is quite similar. The program is intended to provide you with hands-on work experience in Germany. While the university and CDS can help you find a host company, it's up to you to shape the assignment. This is a great opportunity, get the most out of it for yourself. Keep communicating with your supervisor about your tasks and challenges, and try to solve problems immediately. However, should you need assistance, please contact us (see Contact).

Changing host companies is not an option!

Your work authorization (Freistellung von der Arbeitserlaubnis) is issued for training at a particular company. Before taking any drastic steps, contact us! Everybody will do their best to help you solve your problem.

Housing: It is your ultimate responsibility to secure housing for the time of your co-op. Many host companies will provide something for you, or help you find affordable accommodation. InWEnt gGmbH (formerly the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft e.V.), our partner in Germany, has regional offices in all German states (Bundesländer), and they will do their best to help wherever possible.

Please note that Munich is a housing nightmare; try to avoid the city if housing is not provided unless you have your own leads.

Contact Info: Please provide us with current contact information at all times. It might be necessary to get in touch with you.

Program Breakup: Try to avoid it altogether. However, if a difficult situation arises, contact Gayle Elliott immediately before making irreversible decisions.

Conduct: We expect you to represent the university and the program in a responsible manner, and are convinced that all participants are reliable adults who treat others with courteousness and respect. Germans often (think they) know a lot about the USA, and they have strong opinions on politics, religion, and everything else. Try not to be offended, and try not to offend anybody. When in doubt, ask immediately to avoid misunderstandings. Be kind to children and animals, and don't insult German cars or soccer teams.

Program Contact Information:

• CDS Application Form
• Resume
• Lebenslauf with photo, modeled after the sample provided
• Recommendation from a former employer or professor qualified to comment on your qualifications for the program
• Statement of Insurance Coverage
• CDS Terms of Participation and Participant Code of Conduct
• Official Transcript(s)

If you have confirmed placement make sure we receive the host company information form. If you don't send in the completed form by the time your placement is confirmed, please inform your host company to do so from their end. The information is crucial for your work authorization and we need to have it at least three weeks prior to your start date.