European Studies Study Abroad Programs in Berlin, 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!

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!

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

I chose AIFS Abroad because of the wide variety of activities and experiences offered within the program. Studying abroad in Berlin through AIFS was a very smooth and accessible process. The online application portal was easy to navigate, and the enrollment team was consistently responsive and supportive. My enrollment manager was always available by phone or email and replied quickly to any questions I had. They also had personal experience living in Berlin and familiarity with the program’s housing, which made our conversations especially helpful and tailored to my situation. During my time in Berlin, our on-site program manager was exceptionally welcoming, engaging, and enthusiastic. They organized local activities and group outings that introduced us to Berlin’s culture, history, and everyday life. Even after the program concluded, they followed up with a kind message encouraging me to apply for a post-AIFS internship opportunity — something I truly appreciated. My housing experience was excellent. I stayed in an AIFS-owned apartment in the heart of Charlottenburg, a vibrant and central neighborhood in Berlin. From my balcony on the 7th floor, I had an incredible view, and the location was surrounded by shops, restaurants, and cafes. AIFS also organized several group excursions in and around Berlin, providing deeper insight into the city’s rich history and cultural diversity. The included public transportation pass for the entire semester made exploring the city convenient and affordable. One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was the friendships I made. I met many of my closest friends during the first few days of AIFS activities, and we spent much of our time exploring Berlin and traveling together. We still keep in touch, and I’ve even had the chance to visit some of them at their home universities. It was inspiring to see how each of us experienced Berlin differently, blending our interests and passions to create a truly unique and memorable time abroad. Living in Berlin also allowed me to grow personally and academically. I joined local pickup soccer games, engaged in the city’s art and museum scene, improved my German language skills, and gained a deeper appreciation for international culture. I would highly recommend AIFS to anyone interested in stepping outside their comfort zone, immersing themselves in a new environment, and discovering more about themselves while exploring the world.

During my time in Berlin, I lived my best life. Getting dropped off in a foreign country no knowing a single person is very scary. But then I left knowing about 200 different people through random interactions and putting myself out there in local community. Being on your own and having to figure out most things by yourself, really builds you as a person. Through living on my own with not much support and traveling to other countries alone, I was really able to discover who I was. Studying abroad is much more then just going to a different university in a different location. You learn so much about other cultures, people, ways of life, and yourself. I 1000% recommend going abroad, it changed my life!

Studying abroad in Berlin is one of the best decisions I have made. I fell in love with the city of Berlin, seeing how it changes from winter to spring, the opportunities it offers, it's combination of liveliness and peacefulness, and the amount of distinct areas you can discover and appreciate.

I really enjoyed my semester abroad in Berlin with AIFS! My German language skills improved greatly, and I was able to make amazing friends and community connections through volunteering. I would love to come back to Germany after this experience; it was incredibly hard to leave.

The AIF Berlin European Studies program was an incredible experience that gave me a deeper understanding of European life and history while living in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Nele made everything run smoothly and created a welcoming environment where it was easy to thrive and feel supported. I’m really grateful for how much I got out of the program, and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and memorable semester abroad.

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Germany from my first German class in HS, however I was unsure if it would actually happen. After looking for several program and attending my schools abroad fair, i decided on the AIFS program in Berlin. It was hands down one of the best decesions of my life. I was able to immerse myself in the culture, learn basics of the langauge, and make friends that are gonna last a lifetime. AIFS had apartments that were super close to the city center in Charlottenburg, and super close to both the bus and the U-Bahn (subway). With this program we also traveled to several cities in Germany with AIFS and I chosse the option to travle to Prauge and Nuremberg with the FU-Best program, which is one of the programs that your courses are done through. The FU-Best course were good, especially the German courses. German courses were everyday Mon-Thurs. There are also elective course in which i took a german cinema class that covered films before 1945 and a Berlin Architecture class that covered from the 1920's to Modern day. The courses had some heavy workloads at time due to many of the grades being research papers. Overall the program was one of the best decesions of my life.

Studying abroad in Berlin was one of the best experiences of my life! Through my time there I switched my major to focus on international business in the hopes of coming back. Since, I have been working at my home schools study abroad and away office to help send more students away!

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.