Psychology 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.

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!

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 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.

I really enjoyed my time with The FU best program through the AIFS office. the office provided many activities to do if you didn't have your own plans and the education at the FU best will without a doubt improve your German language skills. I hope not to soon forget this expiries as I hold many people there near and dear to my heart

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.

Semester at Sea was simply the best thing I have ever done. It's more than just a normal study abroad experience. With SAS, you get to travel the world while having a ship as your campus; I don't think anything can compare to that. They offer a wide variety of classes for any major, but they also have many classes that explore different aspects of the countries you are visiting to learn more about them. I took World Religions, World History, World Music, and everyone is required to take Global Studies. The professors are all so knowledgeable, and you can tell that they are all so passionate about what they teach. This program really exposes you to all sorts of different cultures and experiences that most people will never get to experience. The sailing aspect also allows you to connect with the other people in such a unique way. It's always so hard to describe it, but the people I met on this voyage will always hold such a special place in my heart, and I know we will still be in each others lives until the end of time. The whole experience really pushes you out of your comfort zone, and I know that I left such a better person than when I first got on. I recommend anyone who has the opportunity to go on one of these voyages, it is something you would never regret and would treasure for the rest of your life.

Of all the decisions I’ve made, choosing Semester at Sea as my study abroad program was by far the best. I knew I wanted to explore multiple countries rather than stay immersed in just one, and when I discovered SAS in my university’s offerings, I immediately knew it was the perfect fit. Over four unforgettable months, I traveled to 10+ countries across 3 continents, creating lifelong memories along the way. The shipboard community is truly one-of-a-kind—tight-knit, supportive, and full of energy. I made some of my closest friends while learning about new cultures in the most hands-on way possible. From visiting the Taj Mahal to riding camels in the Sahara Desert, each moment was unforgettable. I couldn’t have asked for a more enriching, exciting, or transformative experience. I’m forever grateful for Semester at Sea—and I hope you find a journey just as meaningful.

Semester at Sea changed my life in more ways than I thought possible. I had incredible travel experiences like visiting the Taj Mahal in India, spending a night under the stars in the Western Sahara Desert in Morocco, and seeing penguins at Boulders Beach in South Africa. But all of my travel memories were made so much more meaningful through the classes I took while on Semester at Sea. Learning about the diverse cultures of the countries we visited through lenses of literature, religion, social change, and global studies was an unmatched opportunity. Additionally, I took oceanography during a span where the ocean was truly my home. In addition to my travels and academics, Semester at Sea brought me lifelong friends from all around the globe. In 4 short months, the strangers I boarded the ship with became my family. If you are considering doing SAS, this is your sign!! I have 0 regrets and will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. I am already a year out and I still find a way to bring up SAS in conversation every single day.