
German Language & Culture
The Take-Aways
Language Growth and Culture Competence
Come home with a higher level of German and a greater understanding of German culture. Use your STAMP 4S language proficiency pre- and post-test scores to demonstrate your language growth and help you earn a Seal of Biliteracy.
College Credits
Choose to earn 4 college credits toward your future college degree. Take advantage of the credits to stand out on your college applications or to satisfy college language requirements.
Lifelong Skills and Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S.
60
Hours of Instruction With A Native German Teacher
4
College Credits
1
Life-Changing Experience
The Destination
Welcome to Berlin, a forward-thinking metropolis filled with history and diversity.
Berlin has gone through major changes over the years and has become a thriving and lively urban center. As the capital of Germany, Berlin is buzzing with different cultures and subcultures. Its continuous reinvention attracts young people seeking to express their creativity, and there are open-air street parties and festivals year-round. For history buffs, renovated landmarks offer a deeper look into a complex past. The most famous landmark in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, stands today as a national symbol of peace and unity.
About one third of Berlin is filled with parks and green gardens, which contrasts with incredible architecture. Known as the “Federal Ribbon,” modern government buildings form bridges connecting East and West. On the Spree River is Museum Island, which has 5 museums, the largest museum ensemble in the world. While the cuisine of Berlin encompasses traditional German food, such as bouletten (meatballs) or kohlrouladen (stuffed cabbage), it’s also brimming with a wide variety of restaurants that represent the different ethnic groups that have made Berlin their home.
Cultural Awareness
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.
Program Blogs
Remembrance and Reflection at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
On Wednesday, students made the journey to the town of Oranienburg. This excursion was quite different from our others since the destination was the memorial center at the site of... keep reading
Spy Museum
On Friday, students were able to select their afternoon activity. Some of our students went to a computer game museum while others were finally able to watch the new Barbie... keep reading
Wochenende in Berlin
Over the weekend, German Language & Culture Program Participants enjoyed free time and time with their host families. Students and their host families got up to all kinds of fun... keep reading
Sample Activities

Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Search for the new Banksy and soak up some modern culture with a street art tour of the city. Learn about popular street artists and the styles they are known for.
- Take a trip to Potsdam to witness the beautiful Neues Palais (New Palace), Chinese Tea House, and Charlottenhof Palace. Discover why there’s always a potato on King Friedrich the Great’s grave!
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at the VIP boxes, locker rooms, and press areas of the Olympiastadion, setting of the 1936 Berlin Olympics and now the home of German soccer team Hertha BSC.
- Find microphones in shoes and cameras in lipstick cases at Das Spionage Museum (Spy Museum). Accept the challenge of making it all the way through a laser maze in two minutes!
- Raise your heart rate by playing sand volleyball and navigating the high ropes course at Mount Mitte.
- Explore the realities of World War II with a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Flughafen Tempelhof, a massive, decommissioned airport with a secret passageways and bunkers.
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.
Dates & Fees
Eligibility
- Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—of all German language proficiency levels.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page. For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Application Fee
$25
Optional College Credit Fee
$150
Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Program Summer Session I 2024 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,950 | |
Program Summer Session II 2024 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,950 |
What’s Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to Local Phone and WIFI
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Dr. Ullrich Lohrmann
Regional Director of Operations for Northern Europe
Ullrich has been working in study abroad for over 25 years in Germany.