Tour Germany for (Almost!) Free

Ready to tour Germany for free (well, mostly free)?

Well, of course you are!

Check out the Transatlantic Outreach Program – also widely known as “T.O.P.”

It’s one of many field trips by the Goethe Institute.

T.O.P. for Teachers

(Or rather, almost free. There are some costs involved, though they’re minimal!)

T.O.P. (also known as the Transatlantic Outreach Program), has a ton of opportunities and resources available for teachers.

But in this post, we’re going to specifically focus on TOP Study Tours.

Because T.O.P. allows teachers to tour Germany for free (or rather, almost free!), this program is very popular. And as such, it’s also highly competitive.

So, it’s good to know exactly what it entails, to know what the requirements are, and to ensure that you truly are eligible.

When you apply, be sure to note the dates of the program you’re applying for. They should be listed up at the top of the application form.

This includes topics relating to German politics, traditional education, vocational education, economy, culture, migration and integration, and environmental sustainability.

Additional themes include the lasting impact of the Holocaust, German unification, and European integration.

The TOP study tours are designed “to provide a comprehensive, 360-degree perspective of contemporary Germany.”

They’d also demonstrate a willingness and enthusiasm to share what they’ve learned with others upon their return, as that’s a large component of this program.

Knowledge of the German language is helpful, but not required.

This would be especially helpful for history and social studies teachers who want a deeper understanding of World War II, and it’s global consequences.

To improve your chances of being selected to participate, lead a TOP professional development workshop. You can learn more about that here.

Though the costs to participate in this program are minimal, there are still some requirements for participants.

Since it’s an educational study tour, teachers need to be ready to participate the entire time. They’ll encounter full days of learning, and they might be physically exhausted at the end of the day due to the full daily schedule.

While these aren’t qualifications, these are their preferences when screening applicants:

T.O.P. covers all major expenses.

This includes lodging and most meals for this particular program.

They provide high-quality instruction, and support to help teachers who want to lead professional development trainings in their home districts.

This amazing opportunity does come with some responsibilities.

Whether or not you can add days on to your itinerary depends on their partner requirements for that year (since that’s who’s paying for the flight!).

If you know you’ll be staying later or arriving earlier,

T.O.P. does not cover:

T.O.P. strongly recommends that all participants budget at least $400 USD for their two-week study tour.

Their application deadline is usually around the end of January.

Be sure to bookmark this page, so you can apply once it’s open!

Heading to Germany on your own?

Be sure to get a tour!

Between World War II, all of the castles, the beautiful scenery and beer, there’s a lot to see!

In fact, there’s so much history and culture to take in, that it can be a lot to do on your own.

If you base yourself in beautiful Munich (the gateway to Bavaria and the Alps!), start your tour search here.

Consider these other articles and opportunities.

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Looking for something else?

Explore all of the other teacher travel programs listed here.