This English-taught program explores topics in Urban Studies, Architecture, and Environmental Studies in Berlin, a city that has both rebuilt and redesigned itself over the past century. Courses integrate field study to provide a first-hand look at Berlin’s architectural innovations, methods for integrating sustainable design, and various historical and political movements. Field study trips to important sites within Germany round out the program.
These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore Architecture, History, and Metropolitan Studies, and other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
Listed below are the course options for the IES Abroad Berlin Summer Metropolitan Studies & Architecture Program. You are required to take two courses (6 credits), but may enroll in a third course (9 credits) for an additional fee.
German language is not a required course and is offered at the beginning and intermediate levels.
This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.
Berlin is your classroom. IES Abroad courses allow you to experience the streets, neighborhoods, and museums of Berlin, and learn by interacting with the local environment. Acti by tvities vary by course and term. The program uses local resourcesaking you to relevant sites in Berlin, such as:
Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Berlin, it will feel like home.
IES Abroad Berlin housing gives you the unique opportunity to live in apartments with local residents throughout the city. Hosts may be single adults, single parents, families, or German university students.
Students usually prepare their own meals at home or dine in affordable student cafeterias or restaurants. Meals are not included in the program fee.
Part of making you feel at home in Berlin is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
You will spend your first few days in Berlin participating in the mandatory, comprehensive IES Abroad Berlin Summer program orientation. IES Abroad staff will guide you through the following activities during this time:
Additionally, CORE, IES Abroad's Comprehensive Orientation and Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focused on goal achievement, cultural adjustment, and preparing for the return home.
Field Trips The program includes a one-day field trip to Potdam, where you will take a walking tour of the city and tour the beautiful, Rococo-style Sanssouci Palace and its surrounding gardens.
You also have the option to visit Prague, Czech Republic for an additional fee.
Field Study Trips Outside of Berlin Exciting field study trips associated with courses allow you to learn first-hand about the innovative architectual, environmental, and artistic movements of each location. Locations vary by course and may include:
The IES Abroad Berlin Center is located in Mitte, the central district of Berlin, and is within easy walking distance of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Museum Island, and the Berliner Dom.
Features include:
The two IES Abroad programs at the Berlin Center (Language and Area Studies, and Metropolitan Studies) are conducted on separate floors of the same building.
Barbara GügoldDirector
Barbara Gügold has been the Director of IES Abroad Berlin since 1992. She is a member of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin faculty where she teaches the methodology of foreign language teaching. She received her doctorate from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle in English Literature, and obtained a master’s degree in English and Russian from Leipzig Universität. She has worked in Sweden, Poland, Belgium, and the U.S. as a frequent guest lecturer. In her spare time she takes full advantage of the wealth of cultural opportunities in Berlin.
IES Abroad Staff John SchulzeProgram Coordinator
Elzbieta (Ella) WinterStudent Services Coordinator
Faculty
Sabine BerkingCultural StudiesDoktor philosophiae Kolumnistin der Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung Projektleiterin, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin
Wolfgang BialasDoktor philosophiae, University of Leipzig Research Associate, Hannah-Arendt-Institute, Technical University Dresden
Ulrich BrücknerInternational Business Doktor philosophiae, Freie Universität Berlin Stanford University in Berlin
Dorothea LöbbermannLiterature, Film Studies Doktor philosophiae in American Literature, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin Adjunct Faculty, Humboldt Universtät zu Berlin
Andreas ButterArt History, Urban Studies Doktor philosophiae in Art History, Technische Universität Berlin
Burkart EnckeGerman Language
Birgit GlockUrban Studies, Sociology Doktor philosophiae in Sociology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Ondrej KotasGerman Language
Hannah Lotte LundCultural Studies Dr. philosophiae in History, Humboldt-University
Kerstin MahssasseGerman Language
Jan Otakar FischerUrban Studies, Sociology Masters in Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Martina Langermann-MarquardtGerman Language
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