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Berlin, Germany

German Language & Culture

Summer '25 Applications Open

Language & Culture

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$6,950

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$6,950

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Program Overview
Sharpen your German skills in the cool and multicultural city of Berlin.

Experience life as a Berliner and take your German to the next level during four weeks of language immersion. After language classes, head out into the community to converse with locals amid an eclectic mix of traditional, retro, and modern buildings. Take in the edgy and eye-catching street art that covers signs, walls, and bridges in a city shaped by its political past. Try your new language skills in shops, cafés, and cultural sites, like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Holocaust Memorial. Choose your favorite mural at the East Side Gallery and climb to the top of Berlin’s Teufelsberg, a former spy station, for 360° views.

At your homestay, get in sync with the rhythms of German life and customs. Enjoy weekend excursions to nearby historical cities, like Dresden, rebuilt after WWII, and picturesque Potsdam, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Transformed since the fall of the wall and German reunification, Berlin offers a chance to improve your German and gain a greater understanding of world-changing history.

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
  • berlin downtown river tower
  • berlin germany plaza eating tables green plant
  • train shot

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 its 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.

Daily Life

Daily Life

Monday–Friday 

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places. 

  • Breakfast at your homestay 
  • Engaging German classes with expert language instructors, all native-speakers  
  • Lunch in the community with your fellow Global Navigators 
  • Out and about for authentic conversations in the community and a cultural activity  
  • Dinner and evening discussions at your homestay 

Weekends  

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites 
  • Quality time with friends and everyone at your homestay 

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program. 

Housing

Carefully-screened homestay

24/7 Support

1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Museum für Naturkunde Excursion

By Eli Schauer at CIEE

Berlin Language & Culture students visited the Museum für Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung (Museum of Natural History – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science)... keep reading

From CIEE

Exploring the Reichstag Dome

By Eli Schauer at CIEE

On Monday, students from the Language and Culture program had the opportunity of visiting the iconic dome atop the Reichstag, the seat of Germany’s federal parliament (the Bundestag). As they... keep reading

From CIEE

Sachsenhausen Memorial Visit

By Lynette Johnston at CIEE

On Wednesday, students of the Language and Culture program visited the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Students were very interested in learning about the history of the camp and how it came... keep reading

Activities

Sample Activities

High School Summer Abroad_Berlin

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 Spionagemuseum (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 soccer in one of the many parks around Berlin. 
  • Explore the realities of World War II with a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp or Flughafen Tempelhof, a massive, decommissioned airport with 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. 

What Students Are Saying

  • “I learned more about the German language, including colloquialisms, and learned more about the culture of Berlin and Germany, and it was quite fascinating. I also had a lot of fun on the excursions and community activities.” 

    Aedan M., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

  • “I absolutely loved my trip here! I felt as though I was constantly learning about my environment while making memories exploring a new beautiful city. It was a month of realizing new things and interacting with people who have positive attitudes and are here to have fun and learn just like you.” 

    Hana A., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

  • "When I think about Germany, I think about my mom in Germany, my host mom. I think that to put an end to the bad things in our world, we have to think of people in other countries of the world as our friends and family, not strangers. I believe in the bonds that are made through foreign exchange.” 

    Jessica L., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

  • “This program has been a great experience and was really fun! I made a lot of friends in Berlin and improved my German speaking abilities greatly.” 

    Langston J., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • 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.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

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 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,950
Program Summer Session II 2025 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 WIFI

(Local Set up to Use U.S. Smartphone Abroad)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Our Staff

Our Staff

Andrea Adam Moore

Center Director

Andrea Adam Moore holds a Master in Business Administration. Andrea was previously the Director of the Indiana University Europe Gateway in Berlin.

Ready to change your life?

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