Berlin, Germany

January in Berlin

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Information for term January in Berlin

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

November 1, 2023
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Deadline: November 1, 2023
  • Dates: Jan 2 – 24, 2024
  • Credit: 3 semester hours / 4.5 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA

Overview

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Students of all majors are invited to discover firsthand how historical forces have shaped Germany's turbulent past and are building its vibrant future. Spend January immersing yourself in an intensive three-week course as you engage with the material in and out of the classroom.

Berlin's evocative landmarks, vibrant arts scene, and innovative startup flair make an ideal backdrop for your abroad experience. Courses are taught in English at CIEE Berlin and complemented by co-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding.

Unique Experiences

  • THROUGH HISTORICAL EXCURSIONS

    you’ll gain a deep understanding of a country once torn apart by war that is now united and prospering.

  • WALK ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING STRETCHES OF THE BERLIN WALL

    still in place at the East Side Gallery – the longest open-air art gallery in the world.

  • SPEND A DAY AT ZOOLOGISCHER GARTEN

    Founded in 1844, it is the most visited zoo in Europe.

  • theaters and stages

    44
  • ARTISTS PAINTED THE EAST SIDE GALLERY

    118
  • miles of bicycle paths

    385

Location & Culture

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Berlin is the dynamic and fascinating capital city of a country with a complex history. As a center of German cultural and intellectual life, the influence of Berlin reverberates around the world. It offers an incredibly wide range of cultural offerings and has a moderate cost of living, making it an attractive place for artists and young people. Berlin is a fast-paced city in which to work, live, or study. 

Berlin’s 24-hour public transportation system is extensive and connects the areas of the city accessibly and quickly. CIEE Berlin is steps from a neighborhood subway station with easy access to the rest of the city. Located in the heart of the Kreuzberg district, CIEE Berlin offers students easy access to a large public market hall, restaurants and cafés, and a variety of shops. 

Students may commute to classes or live on campus, where the classrooms, center staff, and social spaces are waiting to welcome you. Regardless of where you live, an introduction to the public transportation system is provided during orientation and students are responsible for securing their own public transportation pass. Program housing is convenient to public transportation.   

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Berlin.

The Culture

FEATURED EXCURSION

Join us on an exciting overnight excursion to Leipzig where you'll be able to literally walk in the footsteps of history – from Johann Sebastian Bach to the famous Monday Demonstrations that brought about the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Leipzig is a charming German city with a picturesque pedestrian zone Old Town that is sure to impress.  

OTHER EXCURSIONS & 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. 
  • Immerse yourself in the local customs by living with a host family. It’s the ideal environment for meaningful cultural exchange. 
  • Interpret the contrasting history of a divided Berlin through works of art. Take a guided tour along the East Side Gallery, the largest and longest-lasting open-air gallery in the world.  
  • Sample your way through Berlin’s legendary street food - Döner Kebap, Currywurst, Market Hall IX, and much more!  

Daily Life

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  • Housing

    Residence Hall: Most students live in an on-campus residence hall with a mix of CIEE students, local university students, and resident assistants. Students live in double, triple, or quad rooms with en suite bathrooms and shower facilities. Lounges and kitchens allow students to meet over meals, cultural activities, study groups, and special events. There are shared spaces, with students enjoying the benefits but also the responsibility of taking care of them. Larger common areas are on the ground floor and inner courtyards offer comfortable spaces to work and relax. 
     
    Homestay: A limited number of homestays are available, with preference given to those whose universities require living with a local family. Students can indicate their preferences in the pre-departure housing survey. Homestays can be located up to 45 minutes away from campus.  
     
    Apartments: In the event that there is not enough space in the Residence Hall, students may also be housed in shared apartments. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom. The apartments are easily reachable by public transportation (approximately 30 minutes away from CIEE Berlin). 
     
    Accepted students can indicate a housing preference, but final housing assignments are solely at the discretion of CIEE. 

  • MEALS

    Residence Hall or Apartments: Meals are not included in the program cost. In both housing styles, students can prepare their own meals within the kitchen facilities. CIEE provides basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. Students can also explore the myriad restaurants in our multicultural Kreuzberg neighborhood or throughout the city. 
     
    Homestay: Students who live with homestay families receive breakfast and dinner daily. 

Berlin, Germany

Where You'll Study

  • A

    Getting Around

    Berlin’s 24-hour public transportation system is extensive and connects the areas of the city accessibly and quickly.

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

Academics

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Academics

During the January in Berlin program, students spend three weeks focused on coursework complemented with co-curricular activities to immerse you in the culture and facilitate intercultural learning.

GPA

2.5

Language Prerequisites

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

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.

Program 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.

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.

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.

Courses

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Course Information

  

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.

Dates & Fees

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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

January 2024 Nov 1, 2023 Jan 2, 2024 Jan 24, 2024
$3,950
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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 insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $2,690 **

Housing = $880

Insurance = $80

Total Fees = $3,950

Estimated Costs

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

Meals not included in program fee = $312

International Airfare = $1,250 ††

Local Transportation = $100

Books & Supplies = $100

Personal expenses = $150

Total Estimated Costs = $1,912

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.

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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's 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

For Apartment/Residence Hall. Students in Homestays should budget $126 for the meals not provided at home.

†† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

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.

What's Included

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What's Included

Tuition
Housing
Meals
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 and a local liability insurance

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! 

    Apply Now
  • 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.