By meeting real Germans and doing a deep dive into what it means to be a Jew in Germany, my experience transcended that of a typical tourist on an ordinary vacation. More so than I realized when I applied for this program, the Germany Close Up experience is truly one-of-a-kind.
Natan Wise

... a whirlwind of interesting conversations, interesting people, and being immersed in an entirely different culture that was unlike anything I've experienced before.
Nicole Kofman

There was one thing in particular that stood out for me regarding the German people we met. Every tour guide, every administrator - everyone - was so sensitive and well-spoken regarding the Holocaust and Jewish culture.
Vanessa Weber

News

Essay Collections

Publication of the new Essay Volume

We are incredibly proud and happy to announce the publication of the third essay volume “From Generation to Generation: Encountering Germany” featuring writings and reflections from our Germany Close Up alumni. These powerful essays offer personal reflections on the intense emotional journey participants experienced while on their GCU programs. Each author invites the reader to reflect on their rich and challenging encounters with Germany in its past and present.

Current Programs

Update on the Corona Virus Situation

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic we unfortunately must cancel our upcoming programs through the end of June 2020. We are actively evaluating the situation in close partnership with both the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Federal Foreign Office. Please don't hesitate to apply for any of our currently-listed programs. Should your program of choice be cancelled, please note that we plan to hold any rescheduled programs when the current health situation around the world will allow us to do so. We are figuring out solutions to reschedule the currently cancelled programs. We are all very much looking forward to welcoming our new groups later this year! Please follow the WHO guidelines to stay safe and #stayhome.

Staff News

Dr. Dagmar Pruin becomes President of Bread for the World

Germany Close Up and Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) congratulate!

Our Executive Director, Pastor Dr. Dagmar Pruin, has been unanimously confirmed as President of Bread for the World (Germany) and Diakonie Emergency Aid by the Council of the German Protestant Church as of March 1st 2021. "This election is certainly an expression of recognition for her outstanding work at Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) and Germany Close Up," says ARSP-Chairman Dr. Stephan Reimers. The board of directors of ARSP and the employees at Germany Close Up and ARSP express their heartfelt congratulations. For the time being we are looking forward to further cooperation in the coming months.

Partners

Become a GCU Community Partner

The majority of Germany Close Up groups are organized together with Jewish partner organizations based in North America. These organizations represent a wide spectrum of Jewish life in the United States and Canada to ensure that our programs reach out to and reflect the diversity of Jewish life in North America today. Whilst we have many longstanding partnerships, we also welcome inquiries from potential new partners.

Upcoming Programs

2020 Programs

We are happy to continue our yearlong partnerships and also run inaugural programs in 2020.

Alumni

Alumni Essays

Read the winning essays of our GCU alumni essay competitions here.

Apply now!