As part of the continuing series of cities that are great study abroad locations from which to base your faculty-led Custom Program, explore Berlin, Germany.
Why Berlin?
Berlin is a dynamic, multicultural city that boasts a rich and dramatic past, spanning many centuries. Students enjoy a spectacular diversity of cultural offerings, featuring countless museums and world-renowned orchestras, opera houses, and theaters. Your custom program in Berlin can easily take advantage of the city’s multicultural diversity, while also tapping into the capital’s compelling history. Because Berlin attracts a large number of students, the city is an affordable European destination for study abroad programs. Additionally, Berlin features a first-class public transportation network, plus convenient access to various destinations throughout Europe. From here, study abroad groups can easily travel to surrounding Germanic regions and countries such as France, Belgium, Austria, and more.
Academic Subjects
Let your Custom Program Manager and on-site staff arrange quality visits with local businesses, organizations, and sites of historical/cultural importance that are related to your program’s academic field. As one of the economic powerhouses of the European Union, Germany offers great programs for finance and business programs. Berlin’s rich history also presents many opportunities for liberal arts, history, conflict and security, politics, and international relations programs. The origins of modern day psychology are rooted in this region of Europe (Germany and Austria). Germany would also be a great location for programs focused on the sciences, with impressive achievements in the fields of physics, chemistry and mechanical engineering.
Cultural Activity Highlights
Germany has an impressive range of cultural sites and activities to explore. If you are developing your Custom Program in Berlin, take some of these activities into consideration as either part of your program’s cultural activities or suggest these for students to visit in their free time. Here are some of our recommended things to do in the city:
- An architectural marvel, the Reichstag Building is a must-see in Berlin. As the official meeting place for the German Parliament, the Reichstag is the second most visited attraction in Germany.
- Walk through Checkpoint Charlie from the former East to West Berlin. From 1961 until 1990, Checkpoint Charlie served as the single crossing point for foreigners and members of the Allied forces. Now it acts as an open air exhibit, allowing visitors to cross through this famous checkpoint. Tourists can also visit remnants of the Berlin Wall, another iconic border marking the former division between East and West Berlin.
- Marvel at the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most well-known landmarks in all of Germany.
- Spend a day at the free Museum Island, one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Berlin located in the middle of the Spree river. Museum Island is home to five of Germany’s most significant museums: the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum, and the Peramon Museum.
- Every Thursday, enjoy free performances from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in the Philharmonie Foyer.
- Bring a book and relax in the scenery of Tiergarten or the Potsdam Gardens on warm, sunny days.
- Try a local sampling of German beer on one of many beer tours offered throughout the city and surrounding countryside.
- Rent a kayak near Treptower Park to take in sights of Berlin from the Spree River.
What to Eat
Berlin offers some incredible traditional German cuisine. Be sure to sample wiener schnitzel (thinly fried veal), kebab, currywurst, senfeier (mustard eggs), Eisbein (steamed pork with sauerkraut and potatoes) and Königsberger Klops (meatballs). Indulge your sweet tooth with delectable Berliner Pfannkuchens (jelly-filled donut sans hole) or a slice of German-style cheesecake Quarkkuchen.
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