Exchange program with ITESO in Mexico and UDES in Columbia
NEW!!! Study in Spanish in Latin America !!!
Students of Goethe University may apply to spend one semester (Aug-Dec / Jan-May) at ITESO (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara) in Mexiko and/or at UDES in Columbia (Aug-Nov / Feb-May). Both universities offer a wide range of courses in various disciplines as well as Spanish language classes free of charge. Eligible to apply are students who are in their 2nd semester at the time of application. MA students may apply during their 1st semester.language requirements:
UDES: Spanish B1
ITESO: Spanish B2 or English B2 + basic Spanish (at least A1)
No student housing is offered at either university. However, both universities offer support in the search for accommodation.
When to apply?
February 2026 (for a stay abroad during the acadamic year 2026/27)
all information below is for 2025/26, information for 2026/27 will be updated at the beginning of winter term 2025/26
Partner universities and number of possible exchange students:
- ITESO: 4 students for one semester each (2 places are reserved for students of Social and Cultural Anthropology (Ethnologie) and MA Curatorial Studies)
- UDES: 2 students for 1-2 semester each
ITESO
The Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) is a Jesuit university that accepts students of all denominations. It was founded in 1957 and is situated a short distance from Guadalajara in Jalisco. About 10,000 students are enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines (Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences as well as Business/Economics and Law).
ITESO offers Spanish language classes free of charge for exchange students. Academic classes are offered in Spanish and (in limited numbers) in English.
On-campus housing:
On-campus housing is NOT offered.
Universidad de Santander
The main campus of Universidad de Santander (UDES) is situated in Bucaramanga, approx. 400 km East of Columbia's capital Bogotá. Bucaramanga is nicknamed La ciudad bonita de Colombia („The beautiful city of Columbia“) and has many public parks and green areas. Other campuses are located in Cúcuta, Valledupar and Bogotá. However, at the latter only Surgical Instrumentation is offered which might be of interest for students of Medicine.
At UDES, 88 degree programs are offered in various disciplines (Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences, Medicine and Public Health as well as Business/Economics and Law). Exchange students may take classes from all offered programs except Medical and Health Sciences. Language of instruction is Spanish only!
UDES offers Spanish language classes free of charge for exchange students. Academic classes are offered in Spanish ONLY.
On-campus housing:
On-campus housing is NOT offered.
general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):
- applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
- applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply
during their 1st semester
- All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
- Good academic standing
- Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
- good knowledge of current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
- good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
- It is expected of exchange students to return to
Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their
studies here.
- Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
- Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt
additional application requirements for this exchange:
- Language requirements for UDES: Spanish B1
- Language requirements for ITESO: Spanish B2 or English B2 + basic Spanish (at least A1)
- Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
- Administrative support with application at host institution
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:
- room and board
- travel costs
- insurances
- other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees
estimated living costs:
UDES: approx. 1.600$ / semester
ITESO: doesn't say on their website
(of course costs may vary depending on the individual lifestyle)
No student housing is offered at either university. However, both universities offer support in the search for accommodation.
- Application form - will be generated from online application
- additional application documents
please see application manual (in German - please come see us if you need assistance) - You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
- approx. 3-5 weeks after the application deadline
- there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
- Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
- all applicants will receive an email:
- invitation to an interview OR
- rejection on the basis of submitted application
- interview will:
- be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language)
- be about personal and academic motivation of applicant
- include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany
- final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
- final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them
How to finance your stay abroad:
Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:
- DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
- DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad)
- Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
- Bildungskredit
- other scholarships
More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien.
Please check
carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany.
You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).
Partner universities and number of possible exchange students:
- ITESO: 4 students for one semester each (2 places are reserved for students of Social and Cultural Anthropology (Ethnologie) and MA Curatorial Studies)
- UDES: 2 students for 1-2 semester each
ITESO
The Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) is a Jesuit university that accepts students of all denominations. It was founded in 1957 and is situated a short distance from Guadalajara in Jalisco. About 10,000 students are enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines (Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences as well as Business/Economics and Law).
ITESO offers Spanish language classes free of charge for exchange students. Academic classes are offered in Spanish and (in limited numbers) in English.
On-campus housing:
On-campus housing is NOT offered.
Universidad de Santander
The main campus of Universidad de Santander (UDES) is situated in Bucaramanga, approx. 400 km East of Columbia's capital Bogotá. Bucaramanga is nicknamed La ciudad bonita de Colombia („The beautiful city of Columbia“) and has many public parks and green areas. Other campuses are located in Cúcuta, Valledupar and Bogotá. However, at the latter only Surgical Instrumentation is offered which might be of interest for students of Medicine.
At UDES, 88 degree programs are offered in various disciplines (Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences, Medicine and Public Health as well as Business/Economics and Law). Exchange students may take classes from all offered programs except Medical and Health Sciences. Language of instruction is Spanish only!
UDES offers Spanish language classes free of charge for exchange students. Academic classes are offered in Spanish ONLY.
On-campus housing:
On-campus housing is NOT offered.
general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):
- applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
- applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply
during their 1st semester
- All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
- Good academic standing
- Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
- good knowledge of current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
- good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
- It is expected of exchange students to return to
Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their
studies here.
- Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
- Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt
additional application requirements for this exchange:
- Language requirements for UDES: Spanish B1
- Language requirements for ITESO: Spanish B2 or English B2 + basic Spanish (at least A1)
- Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
- Administrative support with application at host institution
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:
- room and board
- travel costs
- insurances
- other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees
estimated living costs:
UDES: approx. 1.600$ / semester
ITESO: doesn't say on their website
(of course costs may vary depending on the individual lifestyle)
No student housing is offered at either university. However, both universities offer support in the search for accommodation.
- Application form - will be generated from online application
- additional application documents
please see application manual (in German - please come see us if you need assistance) - You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
- approx. 3-5 weeks after the application deadline
- there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
- Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
- all applicants will receive an email:
- invitation to an interview OR
- rejection on the basis of submitted application
- interview will:
- be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language)
- be about personal and academic motivation of applicant
- include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany
- final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
- final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them
How to finance your stay abroad:
Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:
- DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
- DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad)
- Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
- Bildungskredit
- other scholarships
More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien.
Please check
carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany.
You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).
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