International Policy & Diplomacy Study Abroad Programs in Germany

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.

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!

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.

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.

I had such a great study abroad experience with the USAC Luneburg program! The city was so pretty, the housing was perfect, and my classes were so interesting. I learned so much about German culture and language. All of the staff were so friendly, supportive, and helpful. They made study abroad and settling into Germany feel so much easier. The program also included so many cool trips. My favorite trip was to Berlin, I got to experience so many parts of the city that I wouldn't of otherwise gotten to. I am so grateful to have studied abroad through this program, it was so much fun!

Previously I lived in Stuttgart for 3 years, so I chose the Berlin program because I really wanted to back to Germany. This program was SO much fun, got to meet so many amazing people from all across the US and the world. Activities were always worth going to, even got to go to a hockey game for the first time!

I loved studying abroad in Lüneburg. The town was small enough where I feel like I really got the chance to practice my German with locals, and they would not switch to English. The program had frequent events, and I felt very connected to everyone in my groups and classes. The classes were challenging, but rewarding. My German skills and cultural knowledge grew exponentially, and I had a great time traveling throughout Germany and beyond!

My spring semester in 2024, I studied abroad in Lüneburg, Germany! I chose a smaller town so I could really immerse in the culture and know my way around. I went with USAC and they were super helpful in every way I needed. Anytime I had an issue, health or unrelated, the USAC staff would drop what they were doing to help me! I loved where my living facility was because other students from all over the world were living with and around me in other apartments! I got to travel so much and meet so many people along the way as well.

It was my first time studying abroad, so naturally I was very nervous. The USAC team did an excellent job of giving students information of what to expect in advance, which was very helpful. The professors were so amazing and I really immersed myself in the culture and language while making friends along the way. If you’re thinking about joining this program, I 100% encourage you to!!

I studied abroad in the summer of 2023 as well, and this summer was amazing! There were already so many improvements compared to the previous year, from more streamlined schedules and more information to improved group experiences. I highly recommend studying in Lüneburg to all potential students!

This was my first time studying abroad or traveling to a different country. The USAC program made the process very easy and stress-free for students. They were willing to work with me on anything I needed or had trouble with. Studying abroad in Germany was never a plan of mine but got offered the opportunity to do so. I took it and it was the best decision I ever made! I made great friends in Germany, who were willing to help with my studies and guide me culturally, including my travels throughout Germany. I stayed with a lovely host family that was very accommodating and open-minded. My professors were quite understanding and willing to work with their students. It was such an incredible experience that I plan to revisit Germany to see my friends and host family.

This was a great experience! For those who don’t know if it is financially feasible, I would check to see if your school offers study abroad scholarships. Other than what I spent while overseas, my school paid for flights, housing, and tuition. While in Germany there was a plethora of amazing activities to participate in. Of the USAC organized activities my favorite was the Berlin tour. This encompassed guided tour of Berlin with a tour of the Reichstag along with some museums around the area. There was also ample time to explore the city on my own. While I was only there for five weeks, I learned a lot about the German culture and was fortunate enough to travel to both the Czech Republic and Spain! Overall, I would highly recommend to anyone interested in this program.

I spent a semester in Lüneburg with USAC. We had several pre-departure orientation events online. The meeting spots were clear and guides were helpful. During the semester I was able to get involved with a number of student groups and community events, mostly just by checking out posters around campus. I would absolutely recommend this program.