Information for term Global Architecture + Design
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenThe Global Architecture + Design program invites design, architecture, or sustainability majors or minors to create model cities that address climate change by reducing the environmental footprint of buildings. All courses are taught in English, and students take the required Future Cities Design Studio; Design and Sustainability Seminar; and Science and Technology Workshop at the CIEE Global Institute - Berlin. Hands-on workshops with cutting-edge technology are led by experts from Berlin’s architecture and design community. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Unique Experiences
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EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BERLIN
with guided visits to experimental cooperative housing at Spreefeld and urban farming culture at Prinzessinengärten.
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DELVE INTO A RANGE OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
from the Bauhaus in Dessau to baroque palaces in Potsdam.
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PARTICIPATE IN A GROUND-BREAKING DESIGN
to improve city living.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
3 -
trees line the streets
400K -
miles of bike paths
390
Location & Culture
Click to OpenThe Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Visit landmarks by celebrated architects, such as the Reichstag Dome by Foster and Partners, and Potsdamer Platz buildings by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
- Explore innovative projects such as Spreefeld, an experimental sustainable housing cooperative; Prinzessinnengärten, an innovative urban community garden; or Tempelhofer Feld, a historic airfield now home to a major public park.
- Visit two cities celebrated for architecture on overnight trips to cities such as Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, or Prague.
- Get out of the classroom to investigate design in person, at the East Side Gallery section of the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate and more.
- Stop by the Community and Student Life Office to borrow recreational equipment, and get advice from CIEE staff and local student “Buddies” on local restaurants and stores, concerts, art exhibits, and more.
PROJECTS
- Collaborate on design projects in small groups with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Meet and learn from visiting faculty and professionals via lectures and critiques.
- Connect virtually with other CIEE students as they tackle the same design issues in other cities.
- Practice your language skills with weekly activities organized in the residence hall and around the neighborhood, including cooking events, film nights, board-game evenings, and other opportunities designed to help you perfect your German while hanging out with friends.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Residence Hall Most students reside in the Global Institute in doubles, triples, or quads. Lounges and a cafe in the residence hall allow students to mix and mingle over meals, cultural activities, study groups, and special events.
Homestay A limited number of homestays may be available for students, with preference given to those whose universities require living with a local family; this must be indicated when applying.
Apartments Students may also be housed in shared apartments.
Final housing assignments are solely at the discretion of CIEE.
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MEALS
Residence Hall Meals are not included for students in the residence halls, but students can prepare their own meals in fully-equipped kitchens.
Homestay Students in homestays receive two meals per day with their program fee.
Apartments Meals are not included for students in shared apartments.
Berlin, Germany Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE GLOBAL INSTITUTE – BERLIN (G27)
The center is located in the heart of the Kreuzberg district and offers students easy access to a large public market hall, restaurants, cafés, and a variety of shops.
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B
Getting Around
Berlin has excellent public transportation, and our Global Institute is steps from a neighborhood subway station with easy access to the rest of the city.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
CIEE designed this program to help students develop a language of technological design that links individual responsibility and the global environmental crisis through study of places, cities, and cultures. The program includes the Future Cities Design Studio, a seminar, and science, engineering, and technology workshop. Students have full access to cutting-edge facilities at the CIEE Global Institute - Berlin.
Courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty members who also facilitate collaborative projects with local professionals and peers.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Students must be either:
- Majors in architecture, environmental design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, sustainability studies, or urban design.
- Minors in one of the areas listed above, with 2-3 semesters of design studio or project-based courses in their major.
Program Requirements
- ARCH 3001 GGAD: Future Cities Design Studio
- ENVI 3102 BRGE: Design and Sustainability Seminar
- ARCH 3102 BRGE: Science and Technology Workshop – Computational Design Theory and Application
- 1-2 CIEE Electives
Program Credit
Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits
Technical Requirements for Required Courses
Hardware Requirements
Windows laptop with 64-bit OS (preferred) OR MacBook partitioned with Boot Camp (please set up Boot Camp prior to arriving in Berlin, as your university IT department may be able to help you with this)
Intel i5 or i7 processor or AMD equivalent
Open GL 2 video card or equivalent
8 GB of RAM minimum
100 GB memory (internal and/or external)
Multiple button mouse with scroll wheel
Software Requirements
Rhino 6 or latest version (64-bit for Windows; for macOS, use the Windows version with Boot Camp and not the native Mac version)
Grasshopper 3D, latest version with the following Add-ons:
Mesh Tools
MeshEdit
Geco
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- Design and Sustainability Seminar
- Science and Technology Workshop – Computational Design Theory and Application
- Electives
- CIEE language courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
- CIEE Future Cities and Design Studio: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits; 90 contact hours
Academic Culture
Students are encouraged to inquire, debate, collaborate, conduct experiments, and consider the role of today’s architects and designers. Students need open minds, a readiness to collaborate and exchange ideas, and self-motivation to thrive in an interdisciplinary learning environment.
Class Format
All courses are customized for and open only to CIEE students. Classes include a combination of lectures, group work, presentations, and discussions.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A–F is used. Students are graded on class participation, homework, individual project work, presentations, as well as mid-term and final exams.
Language of Instruction
English and/or German
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- Future Cities Design Studio spans the full semester.
- Design and Sustainability Seminar, Science and Technology Workshop, and all CIEE elective courses* operate on a block schedule. Courses are condensed into three intensive six-week blocks in partnership with the Open Campus Block program.
- Students may not take more than one CIEE elective in a single block.
Language Courses
- During course selection, students interested in a German language course will be instructed to take an online German language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
- Students not enrolled in three-credit language classes may add the non-credit “Survival German” course to their course load during the on-site orientation.
*Not all courses listed below may be available to Global Architecture + Design students as some electives may conflict with the meeting times for the core curriculum. Additional courses may be made available upon arrival depending on the final schedule.
Spring 2021 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAgriculture
Architecture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Health Professions and Related Programs
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Mathematics and Statistics
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2021 18 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Jan 4, 2021 | May 8, 2021 |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Lukas Kronawitter, M.Sc.
Global Programs Coordinator and Core Faculty
Lukas Kronawitter is an architect, planner, consultant, researcher and educator in multiple facets of sustainable urbanism.
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Michael LaFond, Ph.D.
Core Faculty
Michael is a professor of the International Urban Management Master’s Program at the Technical University Berlin and is the director of id22: Institute for Creative Sustainability in Berlin.
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Christian Tschersich, PhD
Core Faculty
Christian Tschersich trained as an architect at universities in Germany and the Netherlands. He graduated from KIT (Karslruhe Institute of...
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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