Essen

Essen is known as one of Germany's cultural hidden gems, making the city an ideal place for students to immerse themselves in German tradition while developing and perfecting their language skills. Students attending German courses in Essen will quickly discover why it was named...

Essen is known as one of Germany's cultural hidden gems, making the city an ideal place for students to immerse themselves in German tradition while developing and perfecting their language skills. Students attending German courses in Essen will quickly discover why it was named "Cultural Capital of Europe" in 2010, because this city is teeming with historic and cultural treasures. Check out the Bauhaus-style Zollverein coal mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and learn all about the city's industrial past while marveling at the building's impressive architecture. Enjoy a unique rotation of exhibits at the Villa Hügel, a private museum that has established an international reputation for artistic excellence. The Folkwang Museum also houses a dazzling collection of 19th and 20th-century painting and sculpture, featuring such well-known artists as Van Gogh and Picasso. In addition to the countless museums and galleries at their fingertips, students at a German school in Essen should also take advantage of the city's lovely green spaces. Relax after a long day of studying by planning a picnic in Gruga Park, which also has onsite tropical greenhouses, animal enclosures and a music pavilion. Head south to the nearby Lake Baldeneysee area and unwind in the serenity of its rolling wooded hills. Whether you'd like to see Emperor Otto III's glittering crown at the Cathedral Treasury or just dance along to multi-genre performances during the city's annual "Essen. Original" music festival, Essen is the perfect place to begin or continue your German education.