Information for term Open Campus Block
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenDo Berlin on your own terms by customizing your experience through the Open Campus program. Take one, two, or three six-week blocks, select your academic track from six options, then choose your courses from a wide range of subject areas. No matter how you build your program, you’ll surround yourself with the language, culture, and people of the vibrant, international Kreuzberg district – a hub for the arts, music, and digital technology.
Spring 2021 Note: Mobility will not be available. For regularly updated Covid-19 modifications and CIEE health and safety alerts, please visit our Health, Safety, and Security site.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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STAY IN BERLIN FOR THE DURATION
of your study abroad or add on blocks in other CIEE Open Campus locations in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, and Cape Town.
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EXPLORE BERLIN’S
architectural masterpieces and world-class arts scenes.
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SEE HOW GERMANY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
are addressing major healthcare challenges through courses and fieldwork.
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bridges in Berlin
1,700 -
artists painted the East Side Gallery
118 -
Berlin is parks, recreational areas, woods, and rivers
44%
Location & Culture
Click to Open
Your Destination
The thriving global city of Berlin is home to nearly 3.5 million people. Live among the locals and see for yourself why Berlin is ranked among the top for global urban quality-of-life – with excellent public transportation, you’ll have no problem exploring the city’s parks, orchestras, museums, festivals, and historical landmarks.
The Culture
STUDY TOUR
Embark on a two-night/three-day study tour included in your program. Explore Prague, the 5th most visited city in Europe with UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Prague Castle, Lesser Town and the Old Town. Or, immersion yourself in the city of Leipzip, the "new Berlin," with a unique atmosphere of marketplaces, trade fairs and entrepreneurship.
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Overnight excursions and study tours will be suspended for spring 2021 due to COVID – 19. Ample activities and day-trips will be offered to immerse you in Germany’s culture and historical heritage. Excursions can include:
- Each block includes two day trips. Past groups have enjoyed day trips to Potsdam, with its rich historical sites and palaces; the port city of Hamburg, which boasts of being “the gateway to the world”; and impressively rebuilt Dresden with its stunning Baroque architecture.
- Check out famous landmarks such as Checkpoint Charlie, the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Reichstag building, and the historic Mitte district.
- 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.
- Get an inside-look at Berlin's thriving start-up scene at a networking event or pitch night.
- Learn more about Germany’s difficult modern history at important memorials and sites, such as Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when revising itineraries is always to enhance your experience. Every activity is designed to provide you with a deep immersion in your topic, local culture and sights.
PROJECTS
- Volunteering. Give ive back and create a deeper connection to Berlin. Students have opportunities to volunteer at local organizations, youth centers, schools, and more. As long as the local health and safety regulations permit, in-person volunteering will be offered.
- Internships. Build new skills and intercultural competencies through the CIEE Academic Internship, and become an active member of the Berlin professional environment.
- Research. Pursue a research project of your own design incorporating independent, local field work.
- Service-learning projects. Combine course-based learning with practical, relevant project experience to meet a community-defined need.
Program Blogs
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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 single rooms with en-suite bathrooms and shower facilities. Lounges and kitchens allow students to meet over meals, cultural activities, study groups, and special events. They 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.
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Meals
Residence hall: Students can prepare their own meals in the full kitchens. CIEE provides basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. Students can also explore the myriad restaurants in our multicultural Kreuzberg neighborhood or throughout the city.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Stay in Berlin for the duration of this unique study abroad experience or add on blocks in other CIEE Open Campus Block program locations (Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Santiago, Shanghai, Sydney, and Yucatan) to experience more intercultural learning. Students may select one of six academic tracks: Business; Communications, Journalism, and New Media; Global and Community Health; International Relations and Political Science; Language, Literature, and Culture; or STEM and Society.
Global Institute - Berlin. The CIEE Global Institute is in the heart of Kreuzberg, known for its energetic and youthful, international population, food, colorful shops, street festivals, and lively cultural life. A subway trip gets you downtown, while a 10-minute bike ride takes you to Tempelhof, the former airport of Berlin Air-Lift fame and now a giant urban park.
Most courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty; German language classes are available at six different levels; advanced speakers (at least four semesters of college-level German or the equivalent) might have the option of enrolling in CIEE content courses taught in German, depending on availability.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Program Requirements
Students are required to enroll in two courses each block. Students attending the program for all three blocks in a semester may select one block in which to enroll in only one course.
Program Credit
- One block: 6 U.S semester/9 quarter credits
- Two blocks: 12 U.S. semester/18 quarter credits
- Three blocks: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- language courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
- CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
- CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
- CIEE Service-Learning Project: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 90 service hours
Academic Culture
Each six-week course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Berlin when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends in between blocks.
Class Format
Courses taught at the CIEE Global Institute are typically for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and meet either two, three, or four times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and mid-term and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
Language of Instruction
English and/or German
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Spring 2021 Term
Students may choose to study at only one Global Institute per semester. In Blocks I, II and III, students are onsite at a CIEE location. Health and safety conditions permitting, instruction will be live in the classroom for onsite students with some classes provided via online learning. Contingency plans are in place to allow for program completion in the event of any academic disruption.
Course Notes
- Courses are listed below by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
- Use the Course Comparison Tools to compare classes offered across all Open Campus Block programs for each block:
- Mobile students studying for three blocks who wish to complete a lab course (offered in London, Monteverde, and Yucatán) will be required to opt out of one course to remain within the program credit range.
Academic Projects
- For Spring 2021, Academic Projects will be offered onsite (either in-person or remotely) or remotely from another Open Campus location, dependent on availability and in compliance with local health and safety regulations.
- Academic Project placement will be designed based on the student’s project learning goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements in location or within the GI Network, either in-person or remotely. The process is highly individualized and goal oriented. Students enrolled in an Academic Project will receive additional academic support that informs and enhances the placement experience.
- Students applying for an Academic Project are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
- To qualify for participation, students must be enrolled for at least one block in advance of the Academic Project to prepare for and finalize the project and supervisor. As a result, students participate in an Academic Project in either Block II or III.
Language Classes
- During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory 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 may opt into the non-credit “Survival German” course in Block I during the on-site orientation.
Global Architecture and Design (GAD) Courses
- Eligible students may request to enroll in courses offered to the Global Architecture + Design program. All Global Architecture + Design courses have pre-requisites, which will be reviewed by Center Staff for final enrollment on site. These courses will not be on the course comparison tool.
- Typical Global Architecture + Design courses offered are ENVI 3102 BRGE: Design and Sustainability Seminar (Block I), and ARCH 3102 BRGE: Science and Technology Workshop – Computational Design Theory and Application (Block II). More information about these courses can be found on the CIEE Berlin Global Architecture + Design page.
Fall 2021 Courses and syllabi will be available here in January 2021.
Spring 2021 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenArt and Architecture Track
Business Track
Global and Community Health Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
Business Track
Global and Community Health Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
Business Track
Communications, Journalism, and New Media Track
Global and Community Health Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
Fall 2020 CIEE 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.
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
- McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- CIEE Flight Voucher
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.
In blocks I and II, courses and formal activities end on the last Thursday of the block, and in block III, on the last Friday. Students are free to use the time between blocks as they choose, either remaining in their location or using the time for their own travel pursuits. Students changing locations must check into their new Global Institute by the first Monday of the block for local orientation, with classes starting on the first Wednesday of each block. In all cases, students are provided with continuous accommodation, and should speak with CIEE staff for more details.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Block I 2021 6 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jan 4, 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 |
$5,950
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 = $4,533 ** Housing = $950 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $5,950Estimated 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 = $900 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $135 Books & Supplies = $100 Personal expenses = $950 Total Estimated Costs = $3,335Financial AidCIEE 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 *** 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 residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
| Spring Blocks I, II 2021 12 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jan 4, 2021 | Mar 27, 2021 |
$11,900
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 = $9,533 ** Housing = $1,900 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $11,900Estimated 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 = $1,800 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $270 Books & Supplies = $200 Personal expenses = $1,900 Total Estimated Costs = $5,420Financial AidCIEE 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 *** 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 residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
| Spring Blocks I, II, III 2021 18 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jan 4, 2021 | May 8, 2021 |
$17,850
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 = $14,533 ** Housing = $2,850 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $17,850Estimated 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 = $2,700 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $405 Books & Supplies = $300 Visa Fees = $80 ††† Personal expenses = $2,850 Total Estimated Costs = $7,585Financial AidCIEE 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 *** 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 residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† Due from all full-semester students in Berlin or students who complete their full semester in Berlin and do not have a visa or passport for the Schengen Treaty area. |
| Spring Block II 2021 6 weeks | Deadline Passed | Feb 15, 2021 | Mar 27, 2021 |
$5,950
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 = $4,533 ** Housing = $950 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $5,950Estimated 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 = $900 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $135 Books & Supplies = $100 Personal expenses = $950 Total Estimated Costs = $3,335Financial AidCIEE 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 *** 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 residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
| Spring Blocks II, III 2021 12 weeks | Deadline Passed | Feb 15, 2021 | May 8, 2021 |
$11,900
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 = $9,533 ** Housing = $1,900 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $11,900Estimated 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 = $1,800 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $270 Books & Supplies = $200 Personal expenses = $1,900 Total Estimated Costs = $5,420Financial AidCIEE 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 *** 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 residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
| Spring Block III 2021 6 weeks | Deadline Passed | Mar 29, 2021 | May 8, 2021 |
$5,950
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 = $4,533 ** Housing = $950 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $5,950Estimated 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 = $900 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $135 Books & Supplies = $100 Personal expenses = $950 Total Estimated Costs = $3,335Financial AidCIEE 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 *** 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 residence halls or shared apartments. Students in a homestay option have two meals per day as part of the program fee and should budget approximately $330 per block (or $1000 per semester) for additional meals †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
| Fall Block I 2021 6 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Sep 25, 2021 | |
| Fall Blocks I, II 2021 12 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Nov 6, 2021 | |
| Fall Blocks I, II, III 2021 18 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 | |
| Fall Block II 2021 6 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | Nov 6, 2021 | |
| Fall Blocks II, III 2021 12 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 | |
| Fall Block III 2021 6 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Nov 8, 2021 | Dec 18, 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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Dr. Ullrich Lohrmann
Director
Ullrich has been working in study abroad for over 25 years in Germany.
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John Roper, Ph.D.
Academic Director
Since summer 2014, John has taught courses at CIEE focusing on German cultural history, art, and architecture, as well as gender and sexuality in contemporary Germany.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Today
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.
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