Overview
Click to OpenPack your bags and immerse yourself in the rich culture of one of Europe's most dynamic cities this summer. Learn about the historical context of the Holocaust, explore the important role that monuments, memorials, and public spaces have played in Germany’s turbulent modern history, or discuss the functions and power distributions in the European Union. Courses are taught in English at CIEE Global Institute - Berlin and complemented with immersive co-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding.
Unique Experiences
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GO MOBILE!
Stay in Berlin for the duration of your study abroad or add on blocks in other Open Campus locations in London, Rome, Madrid, Copenhagen, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, and Paris.
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EXPLORE
Explore Berlin’s architectural masterpieces and world-class arts scene.
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LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE
Increase your language skills in a single summer.
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bridges
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artists painted the East Side Gallery
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Berlin's parks, recreational areas, woods, and rivers
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Location & Culture
Click to OpenThe Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Visit the famous Reichstag, Germany’s iconic parliament building.
- Walk along the East Side Gallery, the longest existing stretch of the Berlin Wall.
- Visit the headquarters of a German political party and talk about the future of the European Union.
- Go on an overnight trip to another German city, like Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dresden, or Munich.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Residence Halls: Students live in a residence hall in double, triple, or quad rooms with en-suite bathrooms and shower facilities. Students can prepare their own meals in the full kitchens. Lounges and kitchens in the residence hall allow students to mix and mingle over meals, cultural activities, study groups, and special events.
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MEALS
Residence hall: Meals are not included.
Berlin, Germany Where You'll Study
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CIEE GLOBAL INSTITUTE – BERLIN
Located in the heart of the Kreuzberg district, one of the most popular neighborhoods in Berlin, our campus contains the best of both worlds, with a U.S.-style residence life program within a local German neighborhood. The campus also offers easy access to a variety of shops, markets, restaurants, and cafes.
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Getting Around
Berlin Central Station. Modern train station on historic railway site, with long-distance, regional & U-Bahn services.
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Brandenburg Gate
Restored 18th-century gate & landmark with 12 Doric columns topped by a classical goddess statue.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Students choose one, two, or three 4-week sessions and explore German architecture, society, and culture. Students can also enroll in an optional Communicative German Language course taught in German (1 credit). In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
CIEE Global Institute – Berlin is located in the heart of the Kreuzberg district and offers students easy access to a large public market hall, restaurants and cafés, and a variety of shops.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain full-time student status while participating in the program and must have matriculated full-time at your home university at least three months prior to application.
Students should be prepared to obtain a signed letter from their home university confirming matriculation details.
Additional visa restrictions may apply and CIEE will advise students as part of the early application process.
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
All students must enroll in one 3-credit CIEE course per session
Program Credit
Total credit: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits per session
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours per session
- CIEE Communicative Language course: 1 U.S. semester/1.5 quarter credits; 15 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
Each four-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.
Class Format
Courses taught at the CIEE Global Institute are for CIEE students only. Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is quick and the workload demanding. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions.
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 midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
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
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- Students studying in Berlin for multiple sessions may only take Communicative German once.
- “(GI)” denotes courses that originated at CIEE’s Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple Global Institutes and CIEE Sites.
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 Global Institutes and CIEE Centers.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & 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:
- 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 & 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.
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:-
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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.