Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG)
Fully immerse yourself in German language and culture through the Canadian Summer School in Germany!
Since 1973 the Canadian Association of University Teachers of German (CAUTG) has been offering a university German language immersion program in Kassel, Germany called the Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG). What makes this program outstanding is the unique blend of intensive language instruction by Canadian and German professors, experienced host families (including third-generation host families), and study trips to cultural and historical sites in Germany.
Key information
Application information
CSSG Newsletter
Learn more about the program in this newsletter (click the image)!
Useful links
Have questions?
For general inquiries: study.abroad@ucalgary.ca
For questions about the courses or program details: CSSG.abroad.wdw@utoronto.ca
Program details
The information below was last updated in 2025
In 2026, the Germany: Kassel CSSG program will be offering intermediate language courses.
- GER200Y0: Intermediate German 1
- UCalgary students must have completed GERM 202 + 204 to enroll in this course in Kassel. For GER 200Y0, UCalgary students would receive credit for our GERM 331 + 333.
- GER300Y0: Intermediate German 2
- UCalgary students must have completed GERM 331 + 333 to enroll in this course in Kassel. For GER 300Y0, UCalgary students would receive credit for our GERM 413 + 415.
Classes will take place on Universität Kassel campus. University of Toronto professors and professors from other Canadian universities will be teaching these courses.
May 6 - June 24, 2026
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Costs
This is a Fee-Paying program, which means that you will pay tuition fees to CSSG directly as well as any other required program fees such as housing, social events, etc.
You will pay a $150 placement fee to UCalgary, but otherwise you will not owe any fees to UCalgary for this program.
As long as your total stay in Europe is less than 90 days, a visa is usually not required for students travelling on a Canadian passport.
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Funding
Fee-paying programs might be able to obtain additional funding. Students are responsible for verifying eligibility for any funding you wish to pursue at UCalgary. If you wish to apply for student loans, please confirm eligibility with Alberta Student Aid or your responsible loans provider. If you wish to apply for our office's awards, such as the Global Learning Award, note that your program must receive at least 3 units of academic credit at UCalgary to qualify.
The program will coordinate accommodation for students, including stays with host families and multi-bed youth hostels.
Some meals are also provided throughout the program. See 2026 program details listed on page 11 of this PDF and on the website.
This program is open to all students studying at a Canadian university with sufficient German language skills (minimum of a A2 language proficiency).
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Application to UCalgary
Please submit an applicaton in the UCalgary application system, RAISA. Your application must be submitted by the UCalgary deadline, which is advertised in the yellow banner at the top of this page. (This program typically re-opens applications past the priority deadline until mid-March.)
In RAISA, you will be asked some basic questions about your interest in studying abroad, and confirm that you understand this is a Fee-Paying program.
By applying in RAISA, the UCalgary Global Learning office will better be able to support your preparation to travel, including providing resources for your safety abroad and guidance on the academic transfer credit process.
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Application to CSSG
Independent of your UCalgary RAISA application, you must also submit an application to CSSG. Your Global Learning Advisor will send you a reminder to apply, but it is your responsibility to gather the necessary documents and submit them to CSSG following their provided instructions and deadlines.
From CSSG Handout (page 27):
Application deadline is February 4, 2026
- Participants are selected based on a set of criteria (not first-come, first-served)
- Academic suitability
- A recorded Video Interview component where students are asked to speak about adaptability and other general questions – details will be provided once an application is submitted
- $210 application fee - NO refund
Accepting an Offer: If accepted, you’ll have one week to confirm your participation by paying a non-refundable $1,000 deposit. Remaining fees are due in March/April 2026.
- Participants are selected based on a set of criteria (not first-come, first-served)
Have questions?
The Global Learning Advisor for this program is: Tara Jorgensen
How to Apply
Identify your programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs by the priority deadline. If you are applying to a mixture of fee-paying and exchange or research programs, please consult with a Global Learning Advisor. Fee-paying programs often have different timelines; we can help identify if your desired programs are competitive or any other unique considerations.
Check requirements and deadlines
Please review the "Eligibility and application requirements" section above. Some fee-paying programs require students to apply both to UCalgary and to the host university, while others may have different instructions. If you are uncertain about application procedures, you are welcome to contact a Global Learning Advisor and/or the host university for guidance.
Start your application
Be mindful that if your desired program requires applying both to UCalgary and to the host university, there may be different timelines for each application. Make note of the requirements for each application, prepare in advance when possible, and ensure you don't miss the deadline!
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.