IES Abroad Berlin

Studying abroad in Berlin was incredible. Between having an excellent host-family, taking interesting classes, and exploring the city by myself or with friends I can confidently say my time was well spent. I learned about many aspects of the city, both in class and from first-hand experience, I met really wonderful people, traveled a to places such as Istanbul, St. Petersburg, and Copenhagen and I owe a good amount of that to IES for having such a great program. If you get a chance to go on this program I would absolutely take advantage of it. You'll learn about yourself, gain confidence in your abilities to live in a big city by yourself, and you'll make really wonderful friends as well.

I studied abroad in Berlin, Germany the Spring Semester of 2017. I had an amazing time. IES Abroad really did a great job of integrating me into the city. We learned about the culture of the city through a comprehensive orientation. The program introduced us to Berlin locals, further integrating us into the city. As a student I got to partake in European Union panels, an experience I would have otherwise not had without IES. The classes weren't that difficult, but furthered our appreciation of the city with many field trips. It was very involved.

I had dreamt of going abroad to Germany for many years, and had very high expectations, IES Berlin's Metropolitan program managed to beat them! I can proudly say that my experiences in Berlin and in many other cities and countries around Europe in large part do to IES staff help. The school's location was unbeatable, my host in the country truly became my friend, and I had experiences that I could never forget.

My favorite memories are related to being able to take part in diplomatic and other amazing events and trips around Germany, thanks to an amazing set of professors who I will never forget.

I got everything I could’ve hoped for from studying abroad with IES and then some. I arrived having done the minimum language requirement for the program and was worried about how that would translate to my courses. What I found was that the courses were challenging, but incredibly helpful in developing my German language skills both in an academic setting and while out and about in Berlin. Additionally, we went on field trips as part of courses throughout the city and we were able to visit and see things that I know I would not have known or been able to do otherwise. The structure of the courses also made it easy to be involved in extracurriculars, travel, or just explore the city. The staff would post on a bulletin board whenever a cultural event was coming up, in addition to any information about local community events. Personally, I didn’t use the board and instead went out and found things to do on my own, but I know people who did use it and had a great time at those events. The staff were also always willing to help and any questions I had (whether it about a course, housing, or travel) were answered quickly. My time abroad was one of, if not the most, amazing experiences of my life and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone I meet! So I hope that after reading this you are even more excited to study abroad because it will be such an incredible and rewarding experience if you choose to do it!

I had a fantastic time on the IES Abroad Summer Language and Culture Program in Berlin. The program staff were available to help me with any problems I had and even checked in with me before I left to see how I was feeling. Once there, all the staff were very accessible and available to answer any questions I had. The program has got safety down to a science, there are phone calls to check you can be contacted in case of an emergency and a special website that warns you of any threats present in Germany. Berlin itself is very safe, I never felt threatened or unsafe, just use common sense and you’ll be fine! The home stay experience was one of my favorite parts of the program. I was initially very worried about living with a German family, however my host mom was very friendly and helped me improve my German speaking skills greatly. My classes at the IES Center were also very good and interesting. The professors are very qualified, and also understand that you are there to experience the culture of Berlin. My classes were always interesting and tied to things I could experience right there in Berlin. I went on field trips around the city and saw things relevant to my classes, such as museums and even the buildings where historical events took place. Berlin is a beautiful city which is full of history, and I got to experience that first hand! The city of Berlin is a fantastic city on it’s own. It is full of green space, history, food of all kinds, outdoor markets and events going on everywhere. The public transportation is great, and IES provides you with a pass to get around the city. The center is right in the heart of Berlin and in a very safe area. The center itself is very well laid out and includes a lounge and an area to study in. Overall, I had an amazing time in Berlin with IES and would highly recommend this program!

I spent the summer of 2016 studying in Berlin through IES -- and I had probably the best summer of my life. Even before you leave for Berlin, the program guides you through pre-registration for classes, what to pack, and generally how to best prepare yourself for time abroad. Upon arrival, the program began with a few days of orientation, which were incredibly helpful in introducing us to the public transport system, the IES center and staff, things to do around Berlin, safety procedures, etc. IES really cares about their students: they make sure each student has a working phone while abroad so everyone is in contact should anything critically important arise. This orientation set IES apart from a summer program I did the summer before, and my time in Berlin started off on the right foot.

Classes are rigorous but not demanding; there is plenty of time outside of class to explore the city. Part of the program fee includes monthly public transportation passes, which you get on your first day of orientation (no having to figure out the system and buy them yourself!). These were INVALUABLE. You just hop on and hop off whatever tram, U-bahn, or S-bahn your heart desires. But make sure to have them on you! Officers will randomly check cars, and if you don't have yours, you have to go to the BVG (public transit) headquarters and pay 60 euros. It is a major bummer -- trust me.

You definitely have to put in effort if you want to spend time with the locals, since many of the student assistants are Americans who are living in Germany. That being said, your social life is sure to be amazing: there are SO many things to do in Berlin! IES plans a handful of events throughout your summer, including a free trip/tour to the very lovely Potsdam and a free bus tour around Berlin. There is also an optional but not free tour -- this summer it was to the Baltic Sea. It was a bit pricey for me, but my friends who attended enjoyed it. I also went to concerts, visited museums, toured historical sites, among other things. Notable places to visit in Berlin are the famous Mauerpark Flea Market (complete with karaoke!) and Tempelhof Airport, an airport no longer in use that makes a great park! I had one of my best nights in Berlin at Tempelhof: some friends and I packed picnic things and watched the sunset. I remember sitting in the grass, the wind blowing through my hair, and just feeling so alive.

IES stands apart in my mind because it works so incredibly hard to ensure its students are prepared for their time abroad. From the get go, I felt like I knew what I was getting into, and because I did not have to worry about figuring everything out on my own, it was all the easier to begin exploring the city! Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity to reconsider who you are and what kind of global citizen you want to be, and IES is a wonderful program that will help you do just that. I really felt at home in Berlin and at IES. And because I felt so comfortable, I really was able to make the most of my opportunity there and get to know my peers, my professors, my host family, and the city.

I really enjoyed my experience with IES Abroad. The courses were challenging, but not too overwhelming and there were a lot of opportunities to get involved with the local university. It's a bit hard to meet Germans, but I think that's true for most foreigners in Germany. Berlin is an amazing city and worth the trip. The only problem was my homestay. I asked to be "independent of host" and was placed with someone who was very clingy and wanted to be overly involved in my life. Other than that, everything was fine.

Like the majority of students studying abroad, I had numerous great experiences which contributed to my cultural understanding of Berlin as well as the German language. Nonetheless, I found my friendships and connections while in Berlin and the resources offered to me through the IES program the most worthwhile aspect. My courses were challenging and engaging, allowing students to learn a great deal and share their own perspectives on particular readings. Additionally, the program courses emphasized many "hands-on activities" (for instance, a self-guided walk around a part of the city or a tour of Bertolt Brecht's house). With regard to the program students, they are all highly motivated and certainly show a passion for the German language/culture and attending events, which creates a pleasant and inspiring learning environment. As far as the staff is concerned, I cannot thank each and every one for making the process significantly easier. Problems with housing, visa, courses, internships, etc. were all handled quickly and it became apparent that the IES staff prioritized each student's happiness while abroad. Many students typically must take specific courses in their field of study which are not offered by IES, but the IES staff helps facilitate taking courses at the local Berlin Universities (Humboldt Universität being the more common choice). This not only allowed students to finish course requirements, but also interact with the students at the nearby universities and establish friendships across the globe. Whether someone wishes to participate in sport related organizations, internships, or pursue other interests, many opportunities exist for program students and the IES program assists with each process. I would undoubtedly recommend the IES Berlin (Language and Area Studies Program) to anyone interested in participating. I guarantee the experience is both unique and rewarding!