Study Abroad Programs in Germany

IES abroad European Union was probably the best 6 months of my life. The highlight of my trip was being able to play lacrosse on the local Freiburg team. However, there were so many aspects of the program that I loved. I was able to live with German students in a shared housing, I gained valuable experience in living on my own in the city, and I was able to place into an internship and stay for an additional 7 weeks after my program ended. IES EU really values traveling during the program and there are both trips that you do with the program itself and ample time to travel to different countries on weekends throughout your stay. I was also able to get $2,000 in scholarship from IES which was absolutely incredible and boosted the amount of traveling I was able to do while there.

I chose AIFS Abroad for my 8-week summer internship in Berlin because of how responsive and organized they were from the very beginning. Any questions I had before departure got answered quickly, which made the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming. Once I got to Berlin, that same level of support continued. The staff were easy to reach and genuinely helpful whenever I needed anything, which made a huge difference living in a new country for the first time. I stayed in an apartment in a great location with my own room, which gave me the independence to explore the city on my own schedule while still feeling settled. AIFS built in a solid mix of activities and excursions like a trip out to Peacock Island was a highlight, and I also ended up playing badminton and joining a city tour, which were great ways to actually experience Berlin rather than just pass through it. Those activities were also where I met a lot of the people I got close with during the program. Having a built-in group made it easy to explore the city together instead of navigating it solo. Looking back, the experience pushed me to be more independent and comfortable navigating unfamiliar situations, which I don't think I would've gotten the same way from a shorter or less immersive program. I'd recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a summer program that balances real independence (your own space, your own time) with enough built-in structure and support that you're never actually on your own when it matters.

I really enjoyed spending time with my classmates during the FUBiS program. Of course, taking classes together was an important part of the experience, but what I remember most are the moments we shared outside the classroom. Visiting the Olympic Park together was especially interesting because we were able to see an important part of Berlin while also spending time as a group. I also really enjoyed our trip to Potsdam. Walking around the city, seeing new places, and talking with my classmates made the trip feel very special. One of my favorite moments was going to a beer garden together after exploring Potsdam. We had time to relax, talk, laugh, and get to know each other better in a more casual atmosphere. These experiences made my time at FUBiS much more enjoyable and memorable, and I think they were a great opportunity to become closer to the people I met during the program.

Overall, I really enjoyed the summer courses. The teachers were very nice, and the courses very interesting. The field trips and class excursions helped me a lot in learning about local history and culture.

When I first arrived alot had happened that caused me to be stressed and regret ever going abroad, but the Fubis staff was there to help me refind my footing, with quick responses to pressing questions, fun experiences that allowed me to temporarily forget my worries, a counselor to help me work through my problems and find solutions to balance my mental health. The dorms also had a great vibe, full of friendly people that built a great community I don’t think I could have survived without.

My time at the FUBiS program at Freie Universität Berlin was an amazing experience. It was not just about studying—it was a truly special time that opened my eyes to the world and gave me memories I will treasure forever. First of all, the academic part of the program was wonderful. The classes had a very well-structured curriculum, which made learning both clear and exciting. The professors were passionate and encouraging, so I was able to enjoy every single lecture without feeling overwhelmed. Active class discussions and well-planned activities helped me stay fully engaged and learn a lot in a short amount of time. Beyond the classroom, the best part of the program was meeting wonderful people from all over the world. We had great discussions in class, and after school, we explored Berlin together. Talking with friends from different countries and sharing our daily lives helped me learn so much about various cultures and broad worldviews. Also, Germany’s location in Europe was perfect for traveling! Thanks to its central position, my new friends and I were able to take exciting weekend trips to neighboring cities and countries. Traveling together, seeing new places, trying local food, and making great memories was pure happiness. Even though I was far from home, I felt so happy and comfortable because I had such kind and fun friends around me. Making friends from around the world, taking well-organized classes, and traveling across Europe made my FUBiS journey an unforgettable gift. If you want to experience great education, meet fantastic people, and enjoy traveling, I highly recommend the FUBiS program!

I have had a pleasurable time so far enrolled in the FUBiS summer program with FU Berlin. A well organized program in which I feel supported by their team. My courses are quite in depth for just 1 term of instruction and I feel I am learning a lot. I really enjoy excursion days, through them I have gotten to know the city a lot more and spent quality time considering my class topics. They are always available to help which has been a positive experience for me!

I think Fubis has been amazing. The whole university has made me feel a lot of things. Their teachers and professors are so nice and intelligent while the program is nuts. I do feel I have learned a lot from Fubis and from Berlin. I hope I could come back again in the future.

My experience at FUBiS has been amazing. The hole organization team was available in every moment, I appreciate all the activities that they proposed to us during the Term III. Particularly I liked the "Pathways to a better future" classes because of the professor's experience and topic knowledge. I knew Berlin as a tourist but coming here for a full month was a really nice and new experience for me. The experience of sharing dorm and being surrounded by people of different nationalities was the best part of this time and I hope to do not forget the amazing moments that I have had with the ones that now I can call, my new friends.

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

My experience in Germany is pretty new and interesting for me. Germany is an interesting country which gives me a very different experience. I enjoyed the boat trip on fhe Spree River, and every field trip of my courses. Although my German class is difficult for me, I really enjoy this lesson and try my best to overcome the challenges.p

I have never left my own country before but Berlin is somewhere I have always dreamed of. I knew I had to come here and when I saw this exciting opportunity to study right in Berlin with Fubis, I knew I had to take it. I reached out for support with the lovely team and they were so kind and helpful into making sure I was prepared. Whilst here I have engaged in a subject I’m passionate about with Dr Waite who clearly loves what he does and encourages us to physically engage with our learning through excursions and encouraging us to travel. He has been a highlight of this program and those excursions will stay with me for life. I have had endless opportunities to see and do things in Berlin and Germany as a whole and I feel completely satisfied with how I’ve spent my time and how the program went. You learn things quickly because people are there to guide you, your first experiences shopping for example can be nerve wracking if you don’t know the language but you work it out and within weeks it becomes second nature to you. I wish my time here didn’t have to end, I have completely fallen in love with this city. I think there’s a deep part of me that doesn’t want to leave Berlin but all that does is make me certain I will return here. What an epic experience, I loved this 6 week program. Thank you to all the staff and support and of course to Dr Waite for his energetic and cheery demeanour and his ability to talk about the hard topics while remaining passionate about what he does. I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life!

Literally everything about CIEE and Berlin specifically have been amazing. Eric, Mitchell, Kristen, and literally everyone else are so friendly and knowledgable, helping with so many problems constantly and setting up events. When you walk through the building and see a staff member they know your name and say hello. The building itself is really nice and clean, and the classes and everything about CIEE really made my personal study abroad as good as I feel it could be. Thanks again!

I thikn the most worthwhile is when all of us go through things togther and work together the last two days to finish our final project. I think it is a great idea to put a big final projectd combined both art and graphic design

I was part of the Session I Lüneburg Program. It was a last minute decision because my other study abroad opportunity at my home university was unfortunately cancelled due to lack of interest. As disappointed as I was, I'm honestly glad that I ended up doing the Lüneburg program. It allowed me the opportunity to break out of my shell. I also had the chance to meet new people not just from Germany, but from all over the United States and other countries as well. The USAC Team are incredibly kind and helpful. I'm naturally a very shy and quiet person, yet I had no trouble asking them for help whenever I needed it. They email you all the information that you need and are willing to answer any questions you might have. I definitely recommend going on the day trips. You will have better chances to connect with fellow students and explore more of the country while also learning some history. If you can, try to go to campus activities and connect with the International Society on campus.

Studying in Berlin with AIFS at FUBest was one of the best decisions I made during my college career. The program made everything so easy, from booking my flight to providing opportunities for cultural immersion to travel opportunities. I made so many incredible memories and friends throughout the duration of the program. I loved it so much that I am planning on attending grad school in Berlin! I would recommend this program to literally anyone and everyone!

Participating in this program is one of the best decisions I made during my college career. I was able to participate in many cultural immersion activities with the program staff. Furthermore, the faculty of this program are very intelligent and will do their best to make sure that you understand the concepts being taught to you. I believe all the staff at this program went above and beyond for me to make this program a good experience. I especially recommend this program to be very disability friendly. Though there were some hurdles along the way, program staff reached out to various networks within the German disability community to gain as much information as possible to set up an accessible experience for me. The city itself is also very beautiful. There is a beautiful river view near the city center as well as various other nature trails that are good for long walks, especially in the spring time. Being that there is a university in the area, there are many young adults in the neighborhood, and they are often Willing to help new students out. Furthermore, the university takes many other international exchange students through other programming, so there is a network of international students that you were able to connect with outside the program. I recommend keeping an eye out for any messages and bulletins discussing international student events. All in all, this program was a wonderful experience, and I would recommend it for college students looking to study abroad.

The courses I took this summer were some of the most in-depth I have ever taken. The classes do not only rely on reading scholarly articles but also hands-on experience. In the EU Seminar course, we roleplayed the Commission, Parliament, and Council of Ministers to learn how bills get passed. For our overall final, the entire group (35 people total) was involved in a Model EU (I represented Italy's interests.). We tackled real issues, such as tariffs and aiding Ukraine. We also took numerous field trips, including to a Ukrainian mission. It was one thing to read about the 7 branches of the EU but quite another to visit the EU Parliament in Straßburg, the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm (where we met a representative and learned about recent NATO involvement), and the Commission, Council of Ministers, and EEAS in Brussels, the latter of which was in the midst of figuring out the Iran-Israel 12-day crisis. IES arranged all of the travel details perfectly, and we had some fun field trips in addition to plenty of free time to explore the cities. I have never looked at waffles the same way since. Belgium and Sweden were 2 countries I never would have seem without this program, and given Freiburg's location, France and Switzerland were easy to reach.