Environmental Studies Study Abroad Programs in Germany

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.

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.

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.

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!

I just studied abroad with SAS in spring of 2025. To say this experience changed my life would be an understatement. I cannot recommend this enough. The learning opportunities are amazing, the staff and faculty do everything they can to make this your home away from home, and the traveling experiences are ONCE IN A LIFETIME!

When I completed Semester At Sea in the fall of 2024, it was my first time traveling over seas. Growing up going on cruise’s I was super excited to start this new journey on the floating campus. Going in knowing no one else I was nervous but soon felt so welcomed, the community on the ship is amazing. Getting to travel the world with other college kids that have the same interest as you is such a wonderful experience. The professors and other staff members are there to make your learning come to life and it was magical to watch that happen, exploring your learning in each country was eye opening. Not only getting to explore a country but 10 countries allowed for a broad variety of cultures that we get to dive into and explore was so rewarding. I would 1000% go on Semester At Sea again and would recommend it to everyone if you’re deciding to study abroad.

I don’t even know where to begin! Semester at Sea was truly a life-changing experience. There’s no other program where you can see so many different places in a single semester. For example, I visited 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, experiencing diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Semester at Sea also gives you incredible freedom: while docked, you can join field programs or explore each country independently. Through this journey, I not only learned about the world but also about myself. I became more independent, more confident, and gained a global perspective that has completely changed the way I see the world.

My time with IES Abroad felt very well-organized and well-planned. There were no hidden aspects or questions that couldn't be answered with a quick call. My time in Berlin was rewarding and something I will cherish forever. I was able to participate in student life as the event planner and marketing executive of the IES Berlin Student Council, and I enjoyed participating in field trips to Sachsenhausen and Munich, where we got guided tours about the history and significance of the locations and sights we visited. As I'm not a city person, immersing myself in Berlin was tough at first. However, the staff at IES Abroad Berlin helped me adjust to these new emotions and the feeling of being out of place. I began solo-traveling to different countries and cities, exploring in ways I knew I would enjoy, and I am so grateful that Berlin was able to give me this new sense of independence. I never would have gained this independence by staying in my hometown. Living in a new country challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt quickly, and rely on myself in ways I hadn’t before. I learned a lot about who I am while in Berlin, which is why it was one of the most rewarding and transformative parts of my college years. While studying abroad in Berlin, I was one of the presidency, marketing, and student affairs interns for an international university, where I primarily focused on online presence, social media operations, organization, and analysis. This hands-on experience will help me gain an international position at a bilingual company after graduation. There are a lot of things that you can learn through a textbook or lecture hall, but nothing compares to first-hand experience. I have been learning German my whole life, but speaking it in a casual, daily conversation wasn't something I was used to before going abroad. Through studying abroad, I was able to immerse myself in Germany’s culture, hobbies, and customs, and that is something I wouldn't have learned in a classroom setting. I wish I had made more friends while I was abroad, because that is what I saw everyone else gain from their experiences, but what I gained was more personal. I gained freedom, independence, responsibility, and organization. These are skills I will be able to highlight and use in my personal life and future career, and I have IES Abroad to thank.

Semester at Sea was truly the most enriching and inspiring experience of my life. It was invaluable being exposed to so many beautiful cultures, connecting with students, faculty, and staff from around the world, and learning that the world is so vast and yet so interconnected. Because of SAS, I am a more empowered, empathetic, and curious person—and I will forever be grateful for my voyage.

Semester at Sea was by far the best experience I’ve ever decided to do in college! I got to travel to places that I never thought I would visit in my lifetime while also taking college courses. I also created so many lifelong friendships that I will cherish forever.

Studying abroad with Semester at Sea was hands down the best semester of my life. I had the chance to travel the world, meet amazing people, and experience so many different cultures (all of which helped me grow in ways I never expected). Every stop along the way challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow in ways a classroom never could. If you’re looking for a sign to just commit and do it, this is it. You won’t regret it!

Almost three years ago, I decided to apply for SAS and give this once far-fetched idea a try. As I covered logistics with my study abroad office, watched tons of videos about it, and read every handbook I could find, I thought I had it all figured out. But little did I know what would await. From newfound confidence in social situations, I learned many life skills, that have had a significant impact in personal growth. Today, whenever people ask me how my semester at sea was, I give them the biggest smile I can and attempt to summarize an experience that no words will ever do justice. I use adjectives like “amazing” and “life-changing” to describe something that was truly more than that. The thought of what this program was and what it did for me brings back so many memories, and I can’t even begin to describe them all in just 30 seconds. I instantly think of the daily bing bong announcements, Berlin story times, and never knowing what day of the week it was. Semester at Sea wasn’t just studying abroad, and traveling the world with some awesome friends. It was an experience built with challenges that translated to how I now view the world, and to me, that’s one of the greatest beauties of this program.

My experience with Semester at Sea was amazing and I would do it again if I could! Its such a unique study abroad program since you go to 10+ countries. I can confidently say it was the most transformative and impactful semester throughout my college experience.

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.