The 2-week course is set to explore and compare patterns of health care and nursing roles in the German health care delivery system. Faculty from The University of Akron will facilitate comparisons with the U.S. system.

Freiburg is a culturally rich historical area nestled between the gentle hills and vineyards of Kaiserstuhl and the Black Forest.  Freiburg is described as the Ecology Capital where bicycles abound. It is a university city where about a tenth of the total population is students. Day trips to destinations such as Munich, Stuttgart, Switzerland, Basel, France and Bavaria are common, as are opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area. 

Germany has a good standard of living and it is known for its leadership in the European Community. It has a strong economy.

 
The health care system is decentralized and a mixture of private and public institutions. There is a strong emphasis on health promotion and alternative care as ways to maintain or improve health. In general, contributions towards statutory health care insurance is shared equally by employees and employers with some specifications for different levels  of income. Employees who make below a designated annual salary must purchase the insurance but it is voluntary for those who make more than this designated amount. The non-insured rate in Germany is currently 0.1%.