CIEE Reinvents Study Abroad With Debut of Global Institute in Berlin

Today CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange welcomed 111 students from more than 80 U.S. colleges and universities to its new Global Institute in Berlin, Germany.

 

With an affordable tuition, a flexible Open Campus curriculum that meets the requirements of most U.S. colleges and universities, and 38 classes taught in English, CIEE’s Global Institute in Berlin makes study abroad more accessible than ever before. The launch comes as the United States continues to lag behind other nations in international academic exchange. According to Open Doors data, 886,000 foreign students came to the United States to study in 2012-2013, three times the 289,000 U.S. students studying abroad during the same time period.

“CIEE’s Global Institute academic model is designed to overcome the primary barriers that prevent too many American students from studying abroad – cost, curriculum, and culture – as it’s financially affordable, academically flexible, and provides students from all backgrounds a supportive learning community,” said James P. Pellow, Ed.D, president and chief executive officer of CIEE. “Berlin is known as the city of reinvention, so it’s the perfect location to introduce flexible, high-quality academic programs that will open doors for students from all socio-economic backgrounds and countless academic majors.”

The new Global Institute - Berlin is located at 27 Gneisenaustrasse in Kreuzberg, one of Berlin's most diverse neighborhoods.

Students enrolled in the inaugural semester have selected a diverse array of subjects to study that reflect the unique experiences one can have while living in Germany. Nearly one-third are studying German language, literature, and culture. More than one-quarter are taking advantage of studying in Europe’s critical global economy by enrolling in business classes. Still others are pursuing courses in communications, health sciences, and international relations. “The Open Campus program at the Global Institute – Berlin provides students with an unmatched opportunity to intensively study their favorite topics, while also engaging with German society and culture. Instructors work to make each classroom a dynamic learning environment, integrating course content with the full range of study tours, excursions, and cultural activities offered throughout the program,” said John Roper, Ph.D., academic coordinator and core faculty at the Global Institute – Berlin.

Academic credit will transfer to more than 80 different American schools including Arizona State University, Colorado College, Elon University, Gettysburg College, Howard University, Indiana University, Trinity College, University of Kentucky, University of Kansas, and Villanova University.

At the Global Institute, students live and learn in Kreuzberg, one of Berlin’s most culturally diverse and authentic neighborhoods, in an architecturally dynamic facility. CIEE partnered with the renowned New York City design and development group Macro Sea, who identified a former manufacturing factory to convert into CIEE’s first Global Institute. The complex was selected from a pool of 50 different options because of the neighborhood’s rich history in culture, art, and politics. The 100-year-old, five-story factory building was transformed into a modern, international campus with U.S.-style residences, administrative offices, faculty apartments, and a centerpiece courtyard that encourages community building. In fact, the Global Institute will house multiple programs that welcome local Berliners to intermingle with U.S. students. 

The Global Institute features U.S.-style residences for American and international students.

“There is a German colloquialism ‘aus der Reihe tanzen,' which literally translates to ‘dance outside the lines.’ There could be no more apt description for this Global Institute concept as we engage new generations of American students who may have dreamed about studying abroad but didn’t know how they could make it a reality,” said Maritheresa Frain, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs and interim executive vice president, Study Abroad.

Applications for the spring 2016 semester are available online now through November 1. The Global Institute – Berlin is the first of many and will be linked to other CIEE Global Institutes in London and Rome (2016).