As the capital of Germany, Berlin has gone through more changes in the past century than perhaps any other city in the world. A preeminent global power at the beginning of the 20th century, World War I would cripple Germany economically and pave way for the Nazis to force their way into power. After the tragedies of World War II, Berlin became divided between the communist East and democratic West, serving again as a nucleus of the Cold War until finally in 1989 the Berlin wall came down.

Over the past few decades Berlin has been constructing for itself a new identity in the 21st century. It is a very progressive global city in science, industry, politics, and the arts, and its influence only continues to grow. Walking the streets history is never that far behind; from the Brandenburg Gate to the Holocaust Memorial to the ruins of the Berlin Wall, Berlin embraces its tumultuous past as a constant motivation for brighter days ahead.

You should make a sincere effort to explore as much of the city as possible while studying abroad in Berlin. With world class museums, restaurants, concert venues, and an infamously thriving nightlife, there will never be a shortage of new things to do and try in this incredible city.