CIEE Language and Culture Program in Berlin, Germany

  Germany

• Berlin: 
Berlin

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 16 weeks: late Aug-mid-Dec; Spring 16 weeks: early Jan-mid-April; Academic Year 2009-10 36 weeks: late Aug-mid-April

Description: The Language and Culture program at the CIEE Study Center in Berlin provides challenging and stimulating courses in a range of subjects with the aim of increasing students' understanding of contemporary cultural realities in Berlin, Germany, and Europe, as well as language courses to improve students' facility with the German language.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center at the Freie Universität Berlin is embedded in the University's European Studies program (FU-BEST). FU-BEST was created with North American students' interests and schedules in mind. It offers an array of courses in various disciplines taught in English focusing on Berlin and Germany, and is set on the North American academic calendar. For advanced German speakers there is the possibility of enrolling in one German-taught course.

Academic Culture
Classes offered through the University's European Studies Program are small in size, consisting of approximately 15-20 students. Content courses meet once per week for 2 and one-half hours, and include field visits in Berlin and surrounding areas. CIEE students have two German language options; one course meets for 12 hours per week and the other for six hours per week. Students take an online pre-departure language placement test to determine their language level before arriving in Berlin. The European Studies program operates on an academic calendar similar to most North American institutions of higher education, with the fall semester running from September through December and the spring semester running from January through April. Direct enrollment in Freie Universität Berlin regular courses is not possible as their calendar runs on a different academic schedule.

Highlights:

• Continue or begin German language study; wide range of courses taught in English focusing on modern Germany
  
• CIEE workshops on different aspects of the city provide an insider's perspective on Berlin
  
• CIEE-organized activities with German students, including language partners
  
• Explore other regions of Germany through program excursions
  
• Live in an accessible, multicultural European capital city

Culture
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
The CIEE Study Center in Berlin aims to provide an insider's perspective that most people, both locals and tourists, never see. This is done through guided site visits relating to contemporary Berlin and German business policy to unique destinations within Germany. Students participate in weekly field visits associated with their courses. FU-BEST organizes a week-long field trip to two Central European cities. CIEE offers two overnight field trips to places of interest in Germany, such as Munich, Hamburg, or Heidelberg.

Immersion
Language Partners
CIEE recruits students from the University's Department of Foreign Languages to serve as language partners for CIEE students. CIEE organizes structured meetings and students commit to weekly meetings with language
partners.

Workshops
CIEE organizes workshops on various themes related to contemporary Germany. These themes may include architecture, politics, and the arts. German students are invited to join and participate in the workshops.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes