AIFS Abroad in Berlin, Germany: Summer

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 was in the FU best program though the AIFS office. the AIFS office was well organized and laid out expectations of behaviors that were expected of you clearly and nevertheless they were incredibly friendly. The school itself has vastly improved my understanding of German and I now feel confident writing and speaking. the second is that I was able to make memory's that I hope will not be taken form me for some time.

I really enjoyed the academic rigor associated with this program. I was able to take an intensive German language course as well as a German literature course which really pushed me out of my comfort zone! Berlin is such a unique city to live and study in, and the AIFS team did a great job making sure we were making the most of our time. Nele, Julia, and Angelica always made sure to provide food, activity, and museum recommendations. The partnership with Humboldt is also a great program for students looking to improve their German skills, the professors were amazing! I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a more independent study, I enjoyed the freedom of being able to travel alone and make my own plans or attend the group events if I wanted.

I did the AIFS summer program in Berlin, Germany. I absolutely recommend it! Having an apartment all ready to go in a beautiful, quiet part of the city was absolutely wonderful. I felt very safe and there was a great support system. The most unexpected thing happened while I was there - I had to go to the doctor and get a small procedure done. I was helped every step of the way, the doctor was amazing, and the program insurance paid for it all. Besides that, every cultural activity was great and I learned so much. Don't miss out on the tour of the Olympic Stadium! That was a highlight for me. Having a cohort of students who were also getting used to the new city was comforting as well. I felt like I was always part of a bigger group. I highly recommend this program!

I had the best experience and would do it over again 1,000 times. I loved being able to meet new people and experience so many different cultures. I had the best opportunities and loved getting to hang out with the new friends I made. I would recommend this program to anyone!

I cannot write the full extent of how impactful my study abroad was in memories and experiences that shaped me into the person I am today. I was immersed into an unforgettable city, with a rich and diverse culture, amazing staff, and education unlike anything I’ve received at an American institution. This would not have been possible without Nele, who could never have executed the experience better. Her pure love of Berlin and her career was intoxicating to be around. Her optimism, friendly demeanor, and understanding attitude made arriving and settling into Berlin possible. I knew that if I did not get close to anyone else on my travels, Nele would be there for me in a heartbeat. I could not get enough of the city. Coming from a suburban town in Texas, I had no concept of public transportation and was aghast at how accessible Berlin was without a car. If I wanted to visit something, I could easily! The food is also amazing and can cater to any cuisine. I loved walking around historic Berlin in my free time, taking in the architecture and rich history of the city. As a history major, I cannot imagine a better place to visit. I still reminisce on my classes at Humboldt. My European Constitutional Law professor, Jakob, was a notable part of this experience. His class, along with the classmates from all over the world (from 5 continents), was something that fired up a part of me that had burned out while in college back home. I loved the content, along with the encouraging environment that simply wanted you to exceed. The people who studied abroad with me are some of my closest friends to this day. While it seems nerve wracking to not know anyone, every one else studying abroad with you is in the same boat. This made it easy to get to know each other and grow close quickly. I still keep in contact with multiple people from the program who made the experience so unique.

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Having the opportunity to do an internship abroad during the summer in Berlin, have opened up my ways of thinking into a new ideology of globalization. The idea is that students can experience in a lifetime an opportunity to expand their skills, acknowledge, and development in another country or city. This will help us to be more efficient in our work, develop unknown skills, as well as learn other things or tasks that you never thought of doing it. When someone studies abroad or does an internship, you emerge into another culture and learn other things besides the culture of your origin. When you do it, you are doing more than that. You are becoming a better part of yourself leaving your comfort zone and risking for a better future. I can encourage students to do it because this also helps out finding jobs and interviewers always ask about your experiences. Not only this, they see much more than that; they see people who are more independent, efficient, take risks, problem solving to any situation, etc. As an alumni, I can say it was the best experience I could asked for! This opened up doors that I never thought or found it impossible to reach.

Choosing the AIFS summer program in Berlin was the best decision I ever made! I was able to take courses in my field of study that aren't offered at my university without interfering with my regular class schedule. The AIFS staff was amazing throughout the whole experience and extremely helpful. I ended up getting sick while abroad and AIFS made it super easy to get healthcare. They take out an international health insurance on EVERY student, which makes it quick, easy, and cheap to get taken care of.

This program changed my life. There is no denying that. It was a four week program ini the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August of 2014. My class was called "Land in the City, Green in the City," and it explored all the innovative ways that Berlin incorporates plants, trees, and other greenery into the city. We spent maybe one day a week in the classroom, with the rest being excursions to the various roof top gardens, large parks in the city, installations of greenery on walls in various buildings (and on the sides of various buildings), and the use of forestry and landscaping in the city. In addition to the class we had a trip planned for every weekend except for one, but my director was able to help me plan a much needed trip to the beach. We went to Dresden, Potsdam, and to Prague in the Czech Republic. Overall, it is a trip that I will never forget (I still dream about the food), and as it turns out: I feel like I have a second home now, and I want to get back there as soon as I can.

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I was pretty afraid to go. Excited, but nervous deep down. When I finally arrived and started immersing myself in what the city had to offer I started feeling more confident in myself. Berlin is a vibrant city; there's always something going on, whatever you're interested in. I spent a lot of time in the museums and the parks by myself. Spending so much time by myself I started to become more independent which ended up being a highlight of my trip. Doing this with AIFS made the whole trip so much easier. They are with you every step of the way leading up to departure and during the whole trip. I really liked AIFS's Berlin program because of how the meals work. We were given a card, like a debit card, in which you could withdraw cash to pay for food or for whatever you needed to buy. If you were wise with your spending, there was hardly any reason you had to take out of pocket. If you're looking for a program in a cultured city with classes in urban planning, economics, or German history (among others) this program is the best. I highly recommend studying abroad with AIFS no matter where you want to go!

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