A Weekend in Berlin

Programs for this blog post

German Language & Culture

Authored By:

Jennifer Pigge

No travel was involved in students’ final program weekend. Instead, they truly had time to relax and enjoy Berlin and time with their host families, now that they’ve settled in and gained some footing here. On Friday evening, we kicked off the weekend with a tour of the Reichstag (the building that houses the German parliament), during which we learned about the German election and political systems, as well as the building’s turbulent history. We ended the tour on top of the Reichstag – inside the glass dome that sits directly over the parliament’s chamber, complete with a 360-degree view of the city.

Students spent Saturday and Sunday checking things off their Berlin bucket lists and spending time with their host families. Some highlights included:

  • Picking fresh strawberries and making homemade jam
  • Going to the movies
  • Flea market hopping
  • Relaxing at a nearby lake
  • Visiting the Gardens of the World
  • Attending a play
  • Taking part in a German birthday celebration
  • Singing outdoor karaoke at Berlin’s Mauerpark (to a crowd of hundreds!)