Information for term Global Architecture + Design
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenChallenge yourself to make the most of natural and built resources, reduce the environmental footprints of our buildings, and provide healthy environments in Berlin, a city pulsing with innovation and energy. Use design, programming, and social science in hands-on workshops to create promise for the future, with cutting-edge tools and expert instruction from the best of Berlin’s remarkable architecture and design community.
Unique Experiences
-
EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BERLIN
with guided visits to experimental cooperative housing at Spreefeld and urban farming culture at Prinzessinengärten.
-
DELVE INTO A RANGE OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
from the Bauhaus in Dessau to baroque palaces in Potsdam.
-
PARTICIPATE IN A GROUND-BREAKING DESIGN
to improve city living.
-
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
- Stay with German hosts for a weekend to experience family life and traditions in Berlin.
- 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.
- 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.
Daily Life
Click to Open-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
Like what you're seeing so far?
request more informationWhat you need to know
The program detailsCIEE designed this program with Maria Aiolova, award-winning educator, architect, urban designer, co-founder of Terreform ONE, and chair of the ONE Lab NY School for Design and Science. It is designed 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 workshops. Students have full access to cutting-edge facilities at the CIEE Global Institute - Berlin.
Courses are taught in English by CIEE-contracted faculty members, who also facilitate collaborative projects with local professionals and peers.
Academics
Click to OpenEligibility
-
OVERALL GPA
Students need to have a GPA of at least 2.5.
-
PROGRAM 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.
-
Curriculum
Program Credit
All students take a course load totaling 15–18 U.S. semester credits/22.5 – 27 quarter credits, comprised of:
Required Courses
- Future Cities Design Studio (6 credits; 90 contact hours)
- Design and Sustainability Seminar (3 credits; 45 contact hours)
- Science and Technology Workshop - Computational Design Theory and Application (3 credits; 45 contact hours)
Elective Courses
- 1 – 2 CIEE elective courses (3 credits each)
Please note that the Future Cities Design Studio will span the semester, while the Design and Sustainability Seminar and Science and Technology Workshop - Computational Design Theory and Application, along with elective courses will operate on a block schedule. As such, these courses are condensed into three intensive six-week blocks offered in partnership with the Global Sustainability + Environment and Open Campus programs.
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.
Spring 2019 Courses
Click to OpenNote: 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.
REQUIRED CIEE COURSES
- 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
CIEE ELECTIVE COURSES
Global Architecture + Design students benefit from the CIEE Open Campus model, which features a range of innovative courses offered in six-week academic blocks. Language courses include 60 contact hours, and area studies courses include 45 contact hours. All courses (except Survival German, which is optional and non-credit) are offered for a recommended 3 semester / 4.5 quarter credits. Students choose 1 - 2 CIEE elective courses.
Area Studies Courses
- (GI) COMM 3301 BRGE: Intercultural Communication and Leadership
- (GI) ENVI 2003 BRGE: Sustainable Development in the 21st Century
- (GI) ENVI 2004 BRGE: Nature and Culture in Transnational Perspective
- (GI) ENVI 3004 BRGE: Global Environmental Policy
- (GI) PUBH 3002 BRGE: Community and Public Health
- (GI) PUBH 3003 BRGE: Comparative Health Care Systems
- ECON 3001 BRGE / BUSI 3006 BRGE: Reinventing Berlin's Economy after the Fall of the Wall
- ENVI 3002 BRGE: Berlin and the Politics of Building Sustainable Cities
- FSCI 3001 BRGE: Food, Nutrition, and Culture
- HIST 3005 BRGE: Holocaust Studies
- HIST 3003 BRGE (ENG) / GEST 3001 BRGE (ENG): Berlin – The Capital of the 20th Century (in English)
- POLI 3001 BRGE: Politics of the European Union
GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES
During the course selection process, students interested in any German language course will be instructed to take an online German language assessment test to determine their proficiency level, which will be finalized on site. Beginning I students are exempt.
CIEE German courses are designed to help students improve their German language proficiency whether they are beginners or nearly fluent speakers. CIEE students at all levels will learn and practice in all areas vital to successful communication in German: speaking, comprehension, reading, writing, self-correction, sociocultural competence, and self-reflection. CIEE Berlin follows the standards set forth by the Goethe Institute curricula, which are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- GERM 1001 BRGE: German Language - Beginning I
- GERM 1002 BRGE: German Language - Beginning II
- GERM 2001 BRGE: German Language - Intermediate I
- GERM 2002 BRGE: German Language - Intermediate II
- GERM 3001 BRGE: German Language - Advanced I
- GERM 3002 BRGE: German Language - Advanced II
- NONCR GERM BRGE: Survival German
CEFR Equivalencies:
Beginning I (A1)
Beginning II (A2.1; A2.2)
Intermediate I (B1.1; B1.2)
Intermediate II (B2.1; B2.2)
Advanced I (C1.1; C1.2)
Advanced II (C2)
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 set this up)
- 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
Spring 2018 Courses
Click to OpenCIEE REQUIRED COURSES
- 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
Course Technical Requirements
Hardware requirements
- PC laptop (preferred)
- Macbook (partitioned with Boot Camp)
- Intel i5 or i7 processor or AMD equivalent
- OpenGL 2 video card or equivalent
- 8 GB of ram minimum
- 100 GB memory (internal and/or external)
Software requirements
- Windows 7 or 8 64 bit os is preferred
- MacBook Pro with Windows Boot Camp (please set up Boot Camp prior to arriving in Berlin as your university IT department can help you set this up)
- Rhino 5 64 bit on windows (*not* mac/osx, use bootcamp) or latest version
- Grasshopper 3d 09.0075 or latest version
- Mesh tools add-on
- Mesh edit add-on
- Gecko add-on
- Multiple button mouse with scroll wheel
CIEE ELECTIVE COURSES
Global Architecture + Design students benefit from the CIEE Open Campus model, which features a range of innovative courses offered in six-week academic blocks. Language courses include 60 contact hours, and area studies courses include 45 contact hours. All courses are offered for a recommended 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits.
- ARCH 3002 BRGE / URBS 3001 BRGE: German Architectural History and Theory
- ECON 3001 BRGE / BUSI 3006 BRGE: Reinventing Berlin's Economy after the Fall of the Wall
- ENVI 3002 BRGE: Berlin and the Politics of Building Sustainable Cities
GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES
Beginning I (A1)
Beginning II (A2.1; A2.2)
Intermediate I (B1.1; B1.2)
Intermediate II (B2.1; B2.2)
Advanced I (C1.1; C1.2)
Advanced II (C2)
Contact hours: 60; credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter credits
During the course selection process, students interested in any German language course will be instructed to take an online German language assessment test to determine their proficiency level, which will be finally determined on site. Beginners are exempt.
CIEE German courses are designed to help students rapidly improve their German whether they are beginners or nearly fluent speakers. CIEE students at all levels will learn and practice in all areas vital to successful communication in German: speaking, comprehension, reading, writing, self-correction, sociocultural competence, and self-reflection. CIEE Berlin follows the standards set forth by the Goethe-Institut curricula, which are, in turn, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- GERM 1001 BRGE: German Language – Beginning I
- GERM 1002 BRGE: German Language - Beginning II
- GERM 2001 BRGE: German Language - Intermediate I
- GERM 2002 BRGE: German Language - Intermediate II
- GERM 3001 BRGE: German Language - Advanced I
- GERM 3002 BRGE: German Language - Advanced II
- GERM 3003 BRGE: German Language - Advanced Composition and Conversation
- NONCR GERM BRGE: Survival German
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
Last year, we awarded more than 1,000 scholarships per term for a total of $5 million, helping more students get on planes and live their dreams in faraway places than any other organization.
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
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, Deadlines & Fees
Click to OpenDates, Deadlines & 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.
YOUR FEE INCLUDES:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
- Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
- Orientation – an introduction to German culture, your academic program, and the city, plus practical information about living in your host city
- Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
- Field trips and cultural activities
- Overnight excursions
- Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext
- 24/7 emergency on-site support
No Hidden Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2018 18 weeks | Aug 13, 2018 | Dec 15, 2018 |
$18,850
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $13,958 ** Housing = $4,425 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $18,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,600 † International Airfare = $1,200 †† Local Transportation = $400 Books & Supplies = $450 Visa Fees = $82 Personal expenses = $2,800 Total Estimated Costs = $7,532Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Students in the homestay option have two meals per day provided as part of the program fee. No meals are included in the on-campus residence hall option. † for students in on-campus residence hall; homestay students should budget $900 per semester for meals not included in fees †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
|
| Spring 2019 18 weeks | Nov 1, 2018 | Jan 7, 2019* | May 11, 2019* |
$19,450
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,558 ** Housing = $4,425 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $19,450Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,600 International Airfare = $1,200 Local Transportation = $400 Books & Supplies = $450 Visa Fees = $82 Personal expenses = $2,800 Total Estimated Costs = $7,532Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** Students in the homestay option have two meals per day provided as part of the program fee. No meals are included in the student apartment option. |
| Fall 2019 18 weeks | May 1, 2019 | TBD* | TBD* |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
-
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.
-
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.
-
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! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact an Advisor
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
You might also like
-
Business + Culture
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is an ideal place to study economics and the impact of global demands on business strategy.
-
Global Internship
Berlin, Germany
Take advantage of all this trendy city has to offer as you participate in a full-time internship in English.
-
January in Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Make Berlin your classroom this January as you explore Holocaust Studies.
-
Open Campus
Berlin, Germany
See why this innovative city is becoming the newest tech hotspot in the world as well as a global hub for business, science, and education.
-
Summer Global Internship
Berlin, Germany
-
Summer in Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Pack your bags and immerse yourself in the rich culture of one of Europe's most dynamic cities
