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Study Abroad | Berlin

Germany | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | January Term 2025
A group of students in Berlin.
A group of students in Germany.

Overview

Spend January Term in the modern and trendsetting city of Berlin, Germany, with AIFS! Choose from a variety of course options offered at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the city’s oldest university. The University occupies a former royal place and was host to 29 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein.

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

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  • Tuition

    3 semester credits. More credits are available for an additional fee

  • Courses

    Courses in cultural studies, education, ethics, geography, German language, history, international studies, Jewish studies, law, political science, religious studies, sociology, urban planning

  • Housing

    Single room in a shared apartment

  • Meals

    A pre-loaded meal card to subsidize the cost of purchasing meals in the university cafeterias

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    The German Bundestag, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin Wall Memorial, ice-skating and a day trip to Potsdam

  • Welcome Event

    To help you get to know your classmates better, familiarize you with the local area and advise you about your stay

  • On-Site Support

    to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

Program Details: Study Abroad | Berlin Humanities and Social Sciences

Dates

January 3, 2025January 25, 2025

Term

January Term

Institution

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Application Deadline

October 1, 2024

Inclusive Fees

$4,490

Eligibility

Open to First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.75 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

A visa may be required for this program. Please contact your advisor or log into your portal for more information.

Areas of Interest

  • Area Studies
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • German Language
  • History
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Science
  • Sociology

Global Themes

  • Education, Social Services, and Psychology
  • Global Peace, International Security and Human Rights
  • Global Sustainability
  • Language, History and Culture
Learn More About Global Themes

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was founded in 1810 and is Berlin’s oldest university. It is grouped into three main campuses. Campus Mitte is home to the Arts, Humanities, Law, Economics, Business and Theology. The Life Sciences are concentrated on Campus Nord. Mathematics and the Natural Sciences are located on the modern, high-tech Campus Adlershof. It is a comprehensive, degree-granting university and ranks among the top ten of German universities. Its scientists research socially relevant topics and challenges of the future, communicating these with the public. Its aim is to positively influence society and economy outside the university framework.

  • Area Studies
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • German Language
  • History
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Science
  • Sociology

During your time abroad, attend an internationally-recognized university and earn 3 credits studying courses in cultural studies, education, ethics, geography, history, international studies, Jewish studies, law, political science, religious studies, sociology and urban planning, all taught in English, or a German language course (available at 2 levels) for those who wish to experience true cultural immersion. Your courses will also include visits to various sites of interest in the city to give you a truly rounded experience.

View All Courses For Humanities and Social Sciences
A group of students in front of a building in Germany.

Living Abroad

SHARED Apartment

You will live independently in a shared apartment with one or two other AIFS students. Included is a pre-loaded meal card for use in university-subsidized student cafeterias to purchase lunches at heavily subsidized prices. The apartment includes:

  • Shared kitchen and bathroom
  • Single bedrooms
  • Laundry room
  • Centrally located and near subway station for a short commute to the campus
  • Grocery stores, pharmacies and other conveniences nearby

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Berlin.

Transportation

Public transportation makes it easy to get around Berlin, as it is well integrated, cheap, and efficient to use. Your daily commute will most likely be via the metro (U-Bahn), local train (S-Bahn), bus and/or on foot, so make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.

History

Berlin has been at the heart not just of European politics and culture but also world affairs for several centuries. As a city reunified in 1990 it combines a tremendous variety of experiences from fine historical museum to cutting edge modernism, to a vibrant club culture and sprawling parks.

AIFS in Berlin Director, January Term Program

Nele Thomsen headshot.

Nele Thomsen

Moin Moin und Hallo! Welcome to Berlin. I am from Hamburg originally, but have lived in Berlin for almost 20 years. I studied history, art history and English in Berlin and Potsdam and worked as a tour guide. I have also lived abroad in England and Spain. It is a pleasure to accompany students on their journey to broaden their horizons, to explore the city and museums with them or to just find new spots and cafés to discuss the U.S. – German friendship.

I love the ever-changing way of the city, its vibrancy and the laid-back attitude. Berlin has something to offer everyone from museums, to clubs or historical sites like the Berlin Wall. And not far away you will find Potsdam and Dresden, with stunning palaces and gardens.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of German culture, various activities will be organized by AIFS and Humboldt-Universität. Previous programs included some of the below:

  • City sightseeing tour
  • Welcome reception
  • Visits to:
    • German Bundestag
    • Memorial for the Berlin Wall
    • Charlottenburg Palace
    • Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
  • German cooking class
  • An ice hockey game
  • Traditional farewell dinner

Public transportation makes it easy to get around Berlin, as it is well integrated and efficient to use. You will receive a transportation pass to ride the metro, buses and trams.

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside Berlin and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of Germany. Previous excursions have included:

Potsdam, Germany

Potsdam

Guided tour of the royal city of Potsdam, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former summer residence of the German Emperors. Includes round-trip transportation and entrance fees. 

  • Germany
  • Day Trip
  • Included in Program Fee
Warsaw, Poland.

Warsaw

Visit Poland during a trip to its historic capital city, Warsaw. Includes a guided tour of Warsaw Old Town, the market square and Royal Route, a visit to the Museum of the History of the Polish Jews, and free time to explore the Warsaw Ghetto, the Palace of Culture and Science and take in the town.
  • Poland
  • 3 Days
  • $545
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

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Open

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    October 1, 2024
  • Deposit Deadline
    October 25, 2024
  • Scholarship Deadline
    October 1, 2024
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    January 2, 2025
  • Program Begins
    January 3, 2025
  • Program Ends
    January 25, 2025
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    January 25, 2025
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Students can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS programs. Students who choose to book their own flights should meet up with group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed in your account 6 months prior to departure. (Program fee is guaranteed.)

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $1,560
  • Boston
    $1,520
  • Buffalo
    $1,440
  • Charlotte
    $1,600
  • Chicago
    $1,520
  • Cincinnati
    $1,520
  • Columbus
    $1,440
  • Dallas
    $1,600
  • Denver
    $1,560
  • Des Moines
    $1,480
  • Detroit
    $1,560
  • Houston
    $1,540
  • Los Angeles
    $1,600
  • Miami
    $1,520
  • Minneapolis
    $1,560
  • New York
    $1,420
  • Newark
    $1,400
  • Orlando
    $1,500
  • Philadelphia
    $1,520
  • Phoenix
    $1,560
  • Pittsburgh
    $1,520
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $1,600
  • San Francisco
    $1,600
  • Seattle
    $1,560
  • St. Louis
    $1,540
  • Washington/Dulles
    $1,520
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Berlin?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com