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Study Abroad | Berlin

Germany | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | Spring 2024
A group of students in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin.
A group of students in Berlin.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Spring 2024

  • Fall 2024

  • Spring 2025

Overview

Spend a semester with AIFS in the European capital city of Berlin, Germany! Take interdisciplinary social science and humanities classes at the prestigious Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the city’s oldest university and host to 29 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein. This unique program utilizes Berlin as a learning laboratory – each class includes embedded field trips throughout the city, encouraging deeper understanding of the historical context and contemporary issues impacting Berlin, Germany and Europe. All coursework is taught in English.

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.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    Up to 15 semester credits

  • Courses

    Wide variety of courses available; taught in English and German

  • Housing

    Apartment

  • Meals

    All students receive a Meal card to subsidize lunches in the low-cost university cafeterias

  • Transportation

    All students receive a travel pass for Berlin.

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    Day trips to Potsdam, to Quedlinburg or Dresden, and one overnight trip in Germany or Poland as well as trips in and around Berlin such as the former Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    A wide range of AIFS-organized cultural activities and social events to enrich your experience; all students receive a travel pass for Berlin during their entire stay

  • On-Site Program Director

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

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network
  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

Program Details: Study Abroad | Berlin Multi Discipline

Please note this program will not be running in Spring 2024.

Dates

Term

Spring

Institution

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Application Deadline

Inclusive Fees

$

Stay for a year to save on cost

Eligibility

Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.5 GPA

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

Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens do not need to apply for a visa before traveling to Germany and can enter Europe on a 90-day “tourist visa” which is provided on arrival in Germany. If you are a non-U.S. citizen you may need to apply for a Type – D national visa before traveling to Germany. Please contact the AIFS Admissions Officer for further information.

Areas of Interest

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • German Language
  • History
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Science
  • Sociology
  • Travel and Tourism

Global Themes

  • Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
  • Business, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Language, History and Culture
  • Social and Criminal Justice
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.

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • German Language
  • History
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Science
  • Sociology
  • Travel and Tourism

The program offers the opportunity to complete a study period of three months at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, together with other students from around the globe. The Humboldt Interdisciplinary Studies program builds on Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt’s long-standing insight that traveling to new places, questioning seemingly self-evident things, and exchanging ideas between students and researchers, are fundamental to research and teaching. All elective courses are taught in English. German language is optional. 

The program aims to give international students the opportunity to explore new things and expand their own horizons in a number of ways: 

Courses are open to students from all subjects and create an interdisciplinary learning environment. They include excursions into the city of Berlin to address and discover its diversity and history from different disciplinary perspectives. 

The accompanying intercultural training is an integral part of the program. It takes place right at the beginning as well as throughout the study period. Students reflect on their study abroad experience and learn more about cultural diversity in class, and in Berlin. Upon completion, students will have gained global skills and receive a certificate. 

Lecturers use a variety of interactive working methods in order to make the course a rich learning experience for all participants. Students are encouraged to express, discuss and exchange different ideas and develop new perspectives. The students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences are always taken into account for the learning process. 

The interdisciplinary approach to a wide range of topics related to Berlin, Germany, and Europe characterizes the program. Most courses feature excursions within the city of Berlin, related to the subject matter of the class. 

Students can choose up to five electives for a total of 15 credits. One elective class may be substituted by a German class. A regular course load is five classes. 

The program offers the opportunity to complete a study period of three months at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, together with other students from around the globe. The Humboldt Interdisciplinary Studies program builds on Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt’s long-standing insight that traveling to new places, questioning seemingly self-evident things, and exchanging ideas between students and researchers, are fundamental to research and teaching. All elective courses are taught in English. German language is optional. 

The program aims to give international students the opportunity to explore new things and expand their own horizons in a number of ways: 

Courses are open to students from all subjects and create an interdisciplinary learning environment. They include excursions into the city of Berlin to address and discover its diversity and history from different disciplinary perspectives. 

The accompanying intercultural training is an integral part of the program. It takes place right at the beginning as well as throughout the study period. Students reflect on their study abroad experience and learn more about cultural diversity in class, and in Berlin. Upon completion, students will have gained global skills and receive a certificate. 

Lecturers use a variety of interactive working methods in order to make the course a rich learning experience for all participants. Students are encouraged to express, discuss and exchange different ideas and develop new perspectives. The students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences are always taken into account for the learning process. 

The interdisciplinary approach to a wide range of topics related to Berlin, Germany, and Europe characterizes the program. Most courses feature excursions within the city of Berlin, related to the subject matter of the class. 

Students can choose up to five electives for a total of 15 credits. One elective class may be substituted by a German class. A regular course load is five classes. 

View All Courses For Multi Discipline
Sierra Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE
berlin

Sierra, an AIFS Study Abroad Alumni Ambassador from Chatham University, took over our official AIFS Instagram story the other day! Check out the recap of what she shared about her study abroad in Berlin, Germany during the Spring 2018 semester.

Three students on a set of stairs in front of a building in Germany.

Living Abroad

Student Apartment

You will live in an apartment, sharing a kitchen and bathroom with 1 or 2 other AIFS students. They are located close to the subway within easy commuting distance of Humboldt-Universität. Apartments have single rooms, equipped with bed, desk, chair and wardrobe. Some have balcony access. The apartments are in a residential area within easy commute by public transport to campus. 

  • Single rooms
  • Shared kitchen and bathroom
  • Bed linens provided
  • Laundry facilities on-site

Meals

All students receive a meal card to access subsidized lunches in the low-cost university cafeterias, near the main campus and apartments. They will receive a meal allowance. 

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, Academic Year and Semester Programs

Nele Thomsen headshot.

Nele Thomsen

Guten Tag und Herzlich Willkommen. I would like to extend a warm welcome! Originally from Hamburg, I studied in Berlin and Potsdam and spent time abroad in England and Spain. Berlin has been my home for 20 years now. I love it and am sure you will too! Whatever your interest, Berlin offers a niche for everyone, from the clubber to the historian, from opera to street art. On your program you will glimpse historic German towns, sample local specialties and experience Berlin like a native. It will be my pleasure to help you during your time abroad.

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

In addition to excursions a cultural calendar of weekly activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of Berlin life. Typical activities, tours and visits may include:

  • Berlin city tour
  • German cooking class
  • Visit to the museum “Topography of Terror”
  • Visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Museum Island in Berlin
  • Walking tours with various themes such as Queer Berlin, Black History Berlin, experience of a refugee coming to Berlin
  • Explore Berlin and its cuisine with group dinners at a variety of restaurants
  • Visit to the Reichstag, the German Parliament
  • Picnics and social events
  • Students also receive a Museum Pass which grants entrance to the collections of the State Museums Berlin.
  • The site of the former Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen

You may be asked to pay a small supplementary fee for some events.

MUSEUM PASS

All students will receive a museum pass for the State Museums Berlin for unlimited visits to the UNESCO World Heritage of Museum Island and other institutions in Berlin.

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
A building in Dresden, Germany.

Dresden (Fall Only)

Visit famous sites including the Semperoper opera house and the reconstructed Frauenkirche church. Experience the Striezelmarkt Christmas Markets. Includes round-trip transportation and museum entrance fees. 

  • Germany
  • Day Trip
  • Included in Program Fee
A castle in Quedlinburg, Germany.

Quedlinburg (Spring Only)

Guided walking tour with free time to explore. Includes round-trip transportation, and castle or cathedral entrance fees.

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

Szczecin

Take a walking tour, visit the World War II underground bunker system, and spend free time exploring. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations and breakfast, and a group dinner.

  • Poland
  • 2 Days
  • 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
  • $495 Spring 2024 / $595 Fall 2024/Spring 2025
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

Request Info

Did Not Run

Please note this program will not be running in Spring 2024.

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
  • Deposit Deadline
    November 1, 2023
  • Scholarship Deadline
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
  • Program Begins
  • Program Ends
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
  • *** 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
    $2,040
  • Boston
    $2,040
  • Buffalo
    $2,040
  • Charlotte
    $2,000
  • Chicago
    $2,120
  • Cincinnati
    $2,080
  • Columbus
    $2,120
  • Dallas
    $2,080
  • Denver
    $2,200
  • Des Moines
    $2,120
  • Detroit
    $1,980
  • Houston
    $2,120
  • Los Angeles
    $2,220
  • Miami
    $2,020
  • Minneapolis
    $2,000
  • New York
    $1,820
  • Newark
    $1,820
  • Orlando
    $2,120
  • Philadelphia
    $1,920
  • Phoenix
    $2,100
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,040
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,120
  • San Francisco
    $2,220
  • Seattle
    $2,220
  • St. Louis
    $2,120
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,040
  • 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