berlin germany plaza eating tables green plant
Berlin, Germany

January in Berlin

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your January in Berlin program lasts three weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in one CIEE course taught at CIEE Berlin. Enhance your experience with extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in German culture. Live and learn in Berlin!

Unique Experiences

Gain Insights into Germany's Past and Present

by exploring the nation's journey from a war-torn country to a prosperous hub of culture and innovation

Walk the Berlin Wall's East Side Gallery

showcasing the works of international artists on remnants of the Berlin Wall

Discover Zoologischer Garten

Europe's most visited zoo, and home to an array of 1,200 species

Experience
  • leipzig at dusk downtown germany
  • students germany restaurant wine barrels

Your Destination

Berlin is Germany's cosmopolitan city, celebrated for its mild winter climate and rich cultural heritage. January is the perfect time to experience the city's charm with fewer crowds while exploring iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island and enjoying traditional winter festivities like the Berlin Winter World. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Berlin is the perfect place to study abroad on winter break.

ciee excursion leizberg bach statue

Program Highlights

  • Academic Course: Take one CIEE course delivered in-person at the CIEE Center.
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
market excursion ciee germany students explore

Excursions & Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Berlin will open doors for you to explore Germany's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.      

Samples of past excursions and activities: 

  • Enjoy Berlin’s numerous cafés, street musicians, flea markets, pop up-stores, and galleries
  • Take in a performance at one of Berlin’s three major opera houses: the Deutsche Oper, the Berlin State Opera, and the Komische Oper
  • Sample your way through Berlin’s legendary street food – Döner Kebap, Currywurst, Market Hall IX, and much more

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.    

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Emerson Eller da Silva: "Berlin has stolen my heart!":

By CIEE Berlin at CIEE

"Berlin has stolen my heart!" – These words from Emerson Eller da Silva perfectly capture the magic of studying abroad in Germany’s vibrant capital. The first program of 2025 at... keep reading

From CIEE

Alyssiah Green: "I was the first one in my family to get a passport, and after this experience, I will always encourage people to find the opportunity to go abroad"

By CIEE Berlin at CIEE

Even though a few months have passed since the Alyssiah, student from J-Term studiend in Berlin, we wanted to share part of her experience with you all! Alyssiah Green is... keep reading

From CIEE

Izzy: “ Living with a host family is knowing that you always have support with the perspective of a local”

By CIEE Berlin at CIEE

Izzy Alexander is one of our students that participated on the program “January in Berlin 2024”. She is originally from North Carolina, and currently is studying English, German, and Linguistics... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "I enjoyed every part of the experience and will surely be back"

    Devon V., University of Wisconsin - Stout

  • "Expert teaching and awesome touring."

    Cecil A., Wofford College

Housing
Academics

Academics

CIEE Berlin: Study in the heart of Berlin's Kreuzberg district, in close proximity to a large public market hall, plenty of restaurants and cafés, and various shops. CIEE Berlin features classrooms, student lounges, a study space, a student life office, an academic advising office, an on-campus café, and a dedicated outdoor space.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

1 CIEE elective course

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE courses are taught at CIEE Berlin and are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions.

Class Format

Courses taught at CIEE Berlin are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Friday. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

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.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers 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:

  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & 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

Program January 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date

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.

Program Fees

CIEE 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 protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Eric Ginola

Interim Center Director & Director of Student Life

Having grown up in the Chicago area and completed his undergraduate degree at Macalester College, Eric went on to complete his graduate work at the University of Washington-Seattle, where he...

Greta Krumbholz

Academic Director

Greta Krumbholz has a Master’s degree in German and Slavic Studies and a Ph.D. in linguistics at the University of Hamburg. She has taught at the University of Hamburg, the...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

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 Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info