Berlin - Language & Area Studies

Overview

The minute you step off the plane in Berlin, you’ll feel its energy. It’s a place of new ideas, where sustainable technology and modern design are a way of life, and art galleries can be found on nearly every corner. But don’t forget, this dynamic city is also a center of modern European history—it has no equal for leaving its imprint on the political, social, and cultural history of the 20th century. We invite you to study in Berlin and to explore one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Specially designed to improve your German language skills, this program draws upon Berlin’s rich culture and traditions to connect your coursework with the living history of the city.

IES Abroad courses are taught in German by local faculty, and a variety of academic options are available at local universities. You can also add international work experience to your résumé while earning credit by participating in an internship placement and accompanying academic seminar.

Berlin will also be your classroom. Imagine learning about German politics and policymaking in class and then taking a quick walk to visit the German Parliament. Or discussing multiculturalism in Berlin and then touring one of the city’s bustling Turkish neighborhoods. Wherever possible, our courses take advantage of the city’s many historical, artistic, and cultural sites, and several courses also include course-related excursions.

To enrich your academic experience, you also have the option to participate in field trips to cities throughout Europe, such as Budapest, Dresden, Hamburg, Krakow, Potsdam, Venice, Florence, Siena, and Vienna. We want you to feel at home in Berlin, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.

Quick Facts

• Center: IES Abroad Berlin
• City: Berlin
• Country: Germany
• Program Credits: 16-19 credits
• Language of Instruction: German
• Language Prerequisites: 4 or more semesters of college-level German

Program Dates

After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel. To ensure that you are abiding by German laws and regulations, contact your IES Abroad advisor if you plan to arrive in Europe before the start date of your program or to depart Europe later than the end date of your program.

Fall 2018

• September 4 - December 22 (IES Abroad Courses)
• September 4 - Mid-February (Partner University Courses & Internships)

Spring 2019

• Early March - Late June (IES Abroad Courses)
• Early March - July/August (Partner Universities & Internships)

Upcoming Application Deadlines:

• Fall 2018 - May 15, 2018
• Spring 2019 - November 01, 2018

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible— which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore German Language, History, Culture, and other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. You take 16-19 credit hours per semester. All courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified and are taught in German. You create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:

• IES Abroad German language course (required, 4 credits)
• German-taught IES Abroad area studies courses (3 credits)
• Internships (includes internship seminar followed by internship placement after the semester, 3 credits)
• German-taught courses at partner universities (3 credits)

*Please note: In fall, students take an IES Abroad-taught German language course. In the spring term, all students take their mandatory German language courses with international students at the language center at Humboldt University.

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.

Art History

• AH 332 - Early 20th Century German Art and Architecture: 1900-1933 (Fall)
• AH 334 - German Art And Architecture In The 20Th Century: 1933 To The Present (Spring)

Anthropology

• AN/GE 313 - Between Life and Death: Bio-Politics and Migration in the 21st Century (Fall)

Cultural Studies

• CU/SO 360 - Multicultural Berlin (Spring)
• SO/CU 350 - German Popular Culture (Fall)

Drama

• DR 444 - Theater In Berlin Ii: From Brecht To The Present (Spring)

Film Studies

• HS/FS 342 - From Lenin to Lola: Contemporary German Film (Fall)

Geography

• AN/GE 313 - Between Life and Death: Bio-Politics and Migration in the 21st Century (Fall)

German Language

• GR 351 - German Language In Context: Independent Abroad I (Fall)
• GR 401 - German Language In Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I (Fall)
• GR 451 - German Language In Context: Competent Abroad (Fall)

History

• HS 300 - Berlin: Eagle, Phoenix, or Vulture (Spring)
• HS/FS 342 - From Lenin to Lola: Contemporary German Film (Fall)
• HS/PO 352 - German Political Thought: Revolutions, Wars, and Walls Coming Down (Spring)

Internship Seminar

• SO/IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Social Market Economy: Selected Topics (Fall, Spring)

International Relations

• IR/PO 360 - Nation-Building & Democratization from the 19th to the 21st Century: Germany Between Western & Eastern Europe (Spring)
• IR/PO 361 - Germany and European Unification (Fall)
• PO/IR 425H - Honors Seminar in International Relations: Berlin Behind the Scenes: Institutions in the Political Center of Germany (Fall)

Literature

• LT 450 - Berlin in Literature - Literature in Berlin (Fall)
• LT 460 - German Literature from 1945 to the Present (Spring)

Political Science

• HS/PO 352 - German Political Thought: Revolutions, Wars, and Walls Coming Down (Spring)
• IR/PO 360 - Nation-Building & Democratization from the 19th to the 21st Century: Germany Between Western & Eastern Europe (Spring)
• IR/PO 361 - Germany and European Unification (Fall)
• PO/IR 425H - Honors Seminar in International Relations: Berlin Behind the Scenes: Institutions in the Political Center of Germany (Fall)

Sociology

• CU/SO 360 - Multicultural Berlin (Spring)
• SO/CU 350 - German Popular Culture (Fall)
• SO/IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Social Market Economy: Selected Topics (Fall, Spring)

Partner Institution(s) Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Founded in 1810 by the German statesman and philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt, the then-named Universität Berlin pioneered the model of the liberal arts education and became known as the “mother of modern universities.” During 40 years of socialist rule following the Second World War, academic and political freedoms were heavily restricted; following German Reunification, the university underwent an intensive restructuring and has since regained its former preeminence. The University’s courses are held in buildings of historic and architectural significance throughout the city. The Palais Unter den Linden, which is presently occupied by the renowned Museum für Naturkunde, was the former Prince of Prussia’s residence in the mid-18th century.

Freie Universität

Although the Freie Universität was founded only 50 years ago, as early as the beginning of the 20th century the neighborhood in which it is located, Dahlem, was home to several academic research institutes. Early researchers conducted ground-breaking research and won several Nobel Prizes. The Freie Universität’s faculties and administrative offices are housed in many of the same buildings as the former institutes. With the addition of more contemporary, architecturally-significant buildings nearby, the campus resembles the structure of a university campus in the United States. IES Abroad extends to its students the Freie Universität’s tradition of academic quality and research through the university’s broad curriculum.

Technische Universität

Founded in 1879 through the merging of several renowned research institutions, Berlin’s Technische Universität has a long history of innovation, but also periods of hardship. After World War II, the University opened a new Humanities faculty, intended to focus students and faculty on ethics and social responsibility. As the first technical university in Germany to encourage study of the Humanities, the University continues to emphasize the connection between society and technology. Additionally, TU is home to Berlin’s famous Center for Anti-Semitism Studies.

Additional Universities

Courses may be available at the following universities.

• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin
• Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weißensee
• Universität der Künste

Prerequisites and additional application materials may apply.

Internships

Interning abroad as part of your study abroad experience will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive market. It’s an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship. Participating in an internship abroad helps you:

• Add international work experience to your résumé
• Gain real work experience and skills
• Build your confidence

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. During the semester, you participate in a seminar to prepare you for the internship. The internship placement takes place after the semester ends.

Placement Examples

Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Program Advisor—new internships are always being added.

• Architecture
• Business
• Computer Science
• Education
• Engineering
• Government
• Medicine
• Mass Media
• Social Organizations

In addition, internships may be available in Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Mass Media, and Medicine.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Berlin, it will feel like home. IES Abroad Berlin housing gives you the unique experience of living with local residents throughout the city. Hosts may be single adults, single parents or families. Most housing is in apartments. Students typically prepare their own meals at home or dine in affordable student cafeterias or restaurants. Meals are not included in the program fee.

Student Life

Orientation The program begins with a three-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Berlin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Berlin. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered. Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home. The two weeks following orientation are divided between intensive German language instruction and a series of lectures, tours, and excursions related to the history, art, and culture of Berlin.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Redefine the way you live and learn in Berlin through our cultural events, which may include visits to:

• Concert halls and opera houses
• German history museum
• Jewish Museum
• German Parliament

Eligibility Requirements

• 18 years of age
• In good standing at your home school
• 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
• 4 semesters of college-level German or the equivalent
• Enrolled in a German course within the year prior to the program start date
• Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins

Passport & Visa Requirements

A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end date of the program, with at least two blank pages is required. U.S. citizens in possession of a valid passport do not need to obtain a visa predeparture to enter Germany. Upon admission, you will receive more information about obtaining the required residence permit on-site and any related fees. Non-U.S. citizens may be required to obtain a student visa prior to arrival.

Cost

Fall 2018

• Tuition: $14,640
• Housing: $2,920
• Insurance: $230
• Total: $17,790

Academic Year

• Tuition: $26,335
• Housing: $5,840
• Insurance: $550
• Total: $32,725

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.