Location
  • Germany
    • Berlin
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Short Term, Spring, Summer
General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Optional AIFS Abroad flight package at an additional cost.

Nov 21, 2024
Oct 03, 2024
2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

With AIFS Abroad, you can study, intern, or study and intern in Berlin, Germany. Set in the dynamic city of Berlin, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a variety of academic courses. Participate in cultural outings and activities that highlight Germany’s rich traditions and contemporary lifestyle. For those interested in gaining practical experience, our internship placements span diverse fields allowing you to apply your skills in real-world settings. Get the best of both worlds when you decide to study and intern in Germany! With AIFS Abroad’s attentive support throughout your experience, you’ll embark on an enriching journey in one of Europe’s most exciting countries! For more information as to how to maximize your study abroad experience, please see below.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.
At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.
Everyone’s experience is unique. We recognize the location you choose can have an impact on your sense of belonging. We encourage you to use the information below as you review your options to select the program and location that will be the best choice for you. If you do not hold the identities that are amplified here, this information is still a great resource for you as well. It will give you a better understanding of those who have this identity.

Impact

In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad is pleased to make Sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, AIFS Abroad has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2025. AIFS Abroad is proud to announce we have signed the CANIE Accord, becoming the first US provider to make this commitment.

Program Highlights

  • Cultural and Social Activities
  • On-Site Support to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program
  • Health & Safety 24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Green Initiative: Carbon offsetting for all participants’ flights to and from their program location

Popular Programs

Humboldt Forum, Berlin, Germany

Study abroad in the modern and trendsetting city of Berlin, Germany, with AIFS Abroad! Choose from a variety of course options offered at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the city’s oldest university. The University occupies a former royal place and was host to 29 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein.

Students enjoying lunch in Berlin, Germany

Study abroad in the dynamic and artistic city of Berlin, Germany, with AIFS Abroad! Study a variety of academic program options at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin). A leading research institution, FU Berlin attracts a student enrollment of almost 30,000. The campus is located in a charming, quiet section of the city that is conveniently close to Berlin’s lively downtown area.

Group of interns in Berlin, Germany

In recent years, Berlin’s economy and workforce has been booming. The city is a hub for the business, marketing, startup, technology, media, and logistics industries (and so much more!). An internship in Berlin is the perfect way to gain practical professional skills and work experience while enjoying the captivating spirit of Germany.

Students in Berlin, Germany

Berlin is not only the capital of Germany, it’s also the largest city in the country and the most populous city in the European Union. It’s renowned for its exceptional range of landmarks, vibrant cultural scene, wide variety of markets, and superabundant green space. About one-third of the city’s area is composed of forests, parks, rivers, and canals. Berlin is an excellent choice for those looking to study and intern, seeing as the city is a hub for many industries!

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 9 reviews
  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 11.11%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.1
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.55
  • Housing 4.9
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Well-rounded program

This is such a great program because you really get out what you put into it. As a student who was studying German, I was able to take rigorous courses and improve my German language and grammar skills. I really enjoyed the professors and classmates I had from Humboldt and can really see an improvement in my German comprehension. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a little less structure! I really appreciated the freedom to travel on my own and make my own plans, but also join in on the group events when I wanted to.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Something I wasn't expecting was just how multi-cultural Berlin is! I heard Russian, Arabic, English, Spanish, Turkish, and German just about every day on the metro. The food was amazing and there really is something for everyone.
Pros
  • Independent Living and public transportation
  • Freedom to solo-travel if desired
  • Great German language classes
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Abigail
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Opportunity

This was one of the best opportunities I have ever participated in. I was a bit nervous because it was my first time traveling abroad alone, but since I opted into AIFS booking my travel, the AIFS program did a super job coordinating everything. The orientation set up expectations and helped me get over my second anxiety, public transport. Getting around independently becomes a breeze once it is explained to you and they give you the resources.

The class I took while I was there was very engaging, and the teacher took a real interest in our interests and learning. She wanted to make sure we had the best opportunity in Berlin while getting the most out of our learning experience.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would look a little more into what I wanted to do while I was there ahead of time. I had a list of things I wanted to do, but I knocked most out in one weekend. I would make a list and tier it. Things I absolutely want to do, things I want to do, and things that if I have time would be cool, but I don' ABSOLUTELY need to see.
Pros
  • The residence are very nice
  • Public transport makes traveling around the city very convenient
Cons
  • In January is does rain quite a bit
  • It's harder to find gluten-free food if you have an allergy or celiac than other places I have traveled
54 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Julian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Berlin January 2024 Term

Berlin was great! I really enjoyed how welcoming the staff were and how engaging the classes were. I participated in two classes during my time at Humboldt Universität. I took a German language course and an Economic Urban Development course. The professors were very engaging and directions for completing in-class tasks/assignments were crystal clear. In addition, the excursions planned by AIFS were entertaining, engaging, and very informative! I would definitely recommend! One more thing, please check the restroom and shower to make sure everything is in good condition. My shower drain was clogged and it would result in water oozing towards the kitchen area. Nonetheless, AIFS fixed this problem and the rest of the program was great!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did during my time in Germany was actually having to speak German. This was very surprising because most people spoke German however after one of my courses, my classmates sat down in a classroom and the waiter spoke very little English. I'm very proud to say that with the German I learned and some Duolingo, I was able to effectively communicate to the waiter my order, asking for the check, and asking for directions.
Pros
  • Welcoming staff
  • Excursions were entertaining
Cons
  • Housekeeping issues - My room had a clogged drain and resulted in a flood that extended into the kitchen
46 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eleanor
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Berlin 2023

Berlin is a really wonderful city to be living in, there is lots to do and experience even if you don't speak German . The Program though AIFs offers very nice structured activities but also gives you plenty of time and space to do your own thing and travel around both Berlin and Europe. The AIFs staff was very supportive. I didn't particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes and few really awful ones, and if I was given the chance I would probably pick the Freie Universität program

64 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isabel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Cultural Experience of a Lifetime

Being a student who has been out of the country three times before turning the age of one, I have always had a passion to see what’s beyond The United States and gather insight into how people differ across various cultures. Upon entering Berlin, Germany for the Fall Semester, my greatest concern was window shopping for the right affiliate program to study with so I could have a rewarding three-and-a-half-month experience. After researching the various study abroad programs to choose from both at fairs and online, I confidently landed my decision with AIFS. I weighed my benefits based on price, included itineraries, housing options, and location. The program clearly matched my budget while including various social events, trips, and activities for us to engage in right in the heart of Europe.
AIFS provided our flight package with a 2-day layover in London, England where we connected with other AIFS members and got familiar with each other before beginning the semester. We were given time to explore the city with our new friends and participate with the program on a double deck bus tour to the London Eye, Big Ben, and Buckingham palace. The architecture was incredible, but don’t forget to bring your rain jacket! London was a great opportunity to ease the crazed emotions of culture shock upon entering a new country for the first time and familiarize ourselves with the transformation.
Upon entering Berlin, I chose to live with a homestay family as I had four years’ language experience and hoped to widen my perspective on the German culture even further. Through the duration of the semester, the homestay option was very challenging as I had expected. With every day came a new lesson learned as I practiced my German speaking with my 11-year-old homestay sister. She did not speak any English but was currently learning, and I had been very rusty with my German, so we began to teach each other. It is important to understand the cultural norms when entering a new country to not offend locals around you. In Germany, we would have breakfast at 7 A.M every morning which would consist of a baguette and an apple. Lunch was typically the largest meal of the day and dinner occurred later in the evening with soup or pasta and yogurt for dessert. AIFS did an excellent job in placing students in the right homestays, but if one goes abroad, they are expected to try new dishes and be open to a difference in cuisine.
Many students’ greatest concerns are the academic aspects of managing homework while traveling the world. With AIFS, we were enrolled in three classes with two of choice and one for learning the German language. These courses were difficult, but they assigned little homework and dedicated their time towards teaching you through valuable lessons and given paper assignments. I never felt that I was behind on my homework while traveling and I found these classes to be very interesting because they pertained to Germany. Although we were enrolled at an off-site campus of the main city campus, but we were still immersed into German culture through the variety of clubs and sports they offered during the semester.
With one of the most central locations in Europe, it’s easy and cheap to travel all around the continent. I was given the opportunity with AIFS to attend a two-week academic excursion to both Belgium and The Netherlands where accommodation and most meals were provided. We also traveled with them to smaller cities in Germany and to the Baltic Sea to learn about more of Germany’s history. When I wasn’t on a weekend academic trip, I was traveling with friends or solo to various countries surrounding Germany. I will never forget the döner kebab in Berlin, the white sausage in Münich, or the Glühwein in Dresden. These recipes are one’s that cannot be forgotten when visiting these hidden treasures, and AIFS makes sure of it.
Many students do not choose to go abroad or feel they aren’t given the opportunity to do so, but through AIFS, I experienced the academic trip of a lifetime. I feel much more knowledgeable in current news and connecting with European citizens. This was a chance to become independent and explore myself without the pressured guidance of friends back home. With the endless cuisine to sample, the multitude of museums to take in, the various ways of ordering a coffee, and an appreciation for the cultural norms that surround each city, I discovered a better version of myself and I want to spread that knowledge to others. There is limited free time to travel the world and a lifetime to work and regret a valuable opportunity. AIFS provided me with positive takeaways and after studying with them for a January term in both Ecuador and Spain as well, I can guarantee that this program is worth every dollar and will succeed in your ambitions to make this trip memorable.

What would you improve about this program?
The only thing I would change about this program is the cultural immersion with meeting other German students. Since we were placed at Freie Universitaet in Lankwitz instead of the main campus in Dahlem, we were not exposed to meeting other German students. Therefore, I only made American friends and I wish I had met more German students to better familiarize myself with the city.
106 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ekaterina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing experience!!!!

Last fall I had a fantastic opportunity to study abroad in Berlin, Germany with AIFS. The experience that I had with AIFS is incredible. The program that I was doing in Berlin had all-inclusive with several field trips and excursions. I was able to attend multiple soccer games in Olympiastadion Berlin and even visit the Baltic Sea. I would recommend studying abroad with AIFS. AIFS makes it easy for students to access a lot of resources inside the country.

112 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Darby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Unforgettable Experience with Amazing Staff!

I studied in Berlin with AIFS in January of 2016, and my experience there has stayed with me in the year since my return. From adjusting to living like a German local to taking classes at one of the city's best schools, I really felt as though I could balance acting like a tourist and behaving like someone who lives in the city full time. The staff I encountered both through AIFS and at Humboldt University were enthusiastic and consistently helpful, and although I often opted to travel independently based on my own schedule, I always felt as though I could ask for support if I needed it. I also appreciated AIFS's all-inclusive fee--paying one price upfront included perks such as a transportation pass and a meal plan, and for an additional fee the program would even plan your travel. Having that support while you're adjusting to spending time in a new country is something that was incredibly useful, and I appreciate AIFS's willingness to help you as much or as little as you'd like.

What would you improve about this program?
There were some less exciting aspects of the housing situation, such as the lack of Internet connection and the fact that one laundry room was being shared by so many people, which made washing clothes exceedingly difficult. I understand that changing the housing is likely very difficult, so I think instead AIFS could benefit from clarifying all aspects of the housing beforehand and giving students tips on preparation.
129 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Nicole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

There's a whole other world that I love.

This program was perfect for me. It was four weeks in the summer of 2014 when I went, and it was perfect because that didn't interfere with any of my classes during the year. The class that I took was called "Land in the City, Green in the City," and it explored all the ways that Berlin incorporates plants, trees and other greenery into the city. We spent maybe one day a week actually in class and the rest was spent exploring the various forests, parks, rooftop gardens, university greenhouses, and buildings with greenery inside or on the outside of the building. The rest of the time was spent exploring the city and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I wouldn't have had so many delicious meals if I hadn't pushed myself. We also had excursions planned for three of the four weekends. We went to Potsdam, Dresden, and Prague in the Czech Republic. Our director was also super helpful with planning any additional trips, or even just to find the best food around. Leaving Berlin was just as hard as leaving my hometown to go to Berlin. More than anything, I feel like I left a piece of my heart there and I want to go back and visit very soon.

145 people found this review helpful.

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