- Berlin, Germany
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Berlin Winter Quarter - Business, Sustainability & Innovation
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
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 courses that explore Business, Sustainability, and Innovation through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our experienced faculty will facilitate a unique academic experience and provide you with new perspectives both in and out of class.
You will choose three or four classes and be enrolled in 9 to 12 semester credits for the quarter - all IES Abroad courses will be 3 semester credits per course.**
All courses in this program will be taught in English. The courses cover International Business topics such as Business Ethics, Marketing, and more. You can also supplement your Business studies with a course on German Pop Culture or Intercultural Communications.
**Note: Please contact your home university for the credit conversion from semester to quarter credits.**
Field Trips & Events
Munich
2 days and nights | Winter Quarter
Spend time in beautiful Munich, Germany's third largest city and the capital of Bavaria. Home to the world renowned Oktoberfest, Munich is also a global center of culture, science, technology and innovation. Our visit will include a guided city tour, dinner at a traditional Bavarian restaurant, and a tour of BMW's main plant.
Potsdam
1 day | Winter Quarter
Tour Potsdam, the former residence of Prussian kings and queens and its many stunningly beautiful castles, parks, gardens, and scenic waterfronts. Our visit will also include an introduction to the Albert Einstein Science Park, site of several distinguished research institutes.
Daily Life
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 and walking tours that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Berlin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Berlin. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
Following orientation, you divide your time between a series of lectures, tours, and trips related to the history, art, and culture of Berlin.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which 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 centrally located for you to reach the IES Abroad Berlin Center as well as public transport.
Apartments - Single apartments with shared bathroom; you will share a kitchen with other students on your floor.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Berlin through our business and cultural events, which may include:
- Walking tour of Berlin
- Cooking and enjoying a delicious, sustainable meal at a local restaurant
- Viewing films at the Berlin Film Festival
- Visiting the Jewish Museum
- Exploring the Tränenplast (Palace of Tears)
Get to Know Your New City
Relax in Parks & Green Space
Although the city is known for its vibrant arts and culture, Berlin has more than 2,500 parks and gardens to stroll, cycle, swim, picnic, or just unwind in.
Visit Neighborhoods
From the fantastic art and fabulous nightlight of Kreuzberg to the trendy shopping of Charlottenberg to the hub of sites, attractions, and cafes that make up Mitte, the city's neighborhoods give Berlin its unique character.
Explore Museums
Whether you are into art and design, ancient or modern history, or even currywurst, Berlin is a city full of excellent museums.
Observe the Architecture
Though it was nearly destroyed during World War II, Berlin has rebuilt, with restored historic buildings juxtaposed with some of the world's most breathtaking modern structures.
Check Out the East Side Gallery
The longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall is now an outdoor art exhibition, featuring the work of more than 100 artists.
Program Cost
The program cost will be $10,000 and includes tuition, housing, health insurance, and the field trips to Munich and Potsdam. More detailed information will be available in early 2020.
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
| Term | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Quarter | $6,000 | $3,835 | $165 |
$10,000 |
Scholarships & Aid
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Berlin, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Berlin staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Berlin experience.
The IES Berlin Center is located in Mitte, the historical center of Berlin with vibrant cafes, restaurants, and galleries. It is within short walking distance from Humboldt University, the world-famous Museum Island, the Bradenburg Gate, and the governmental district.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Catch up with friends in the student lounges
- Get work done in the library and study spaces
- Relax in the outdoor courtyard
Other features include WiFi and printer access.
Our Staff
Barbara Finke
Center Director
Barbara holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. degree in political science from the University of Mannheim in Germany. She also studied for a year at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore with a fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD. Barbara conducted her Ph.D. research on the legitimacy of non-governmental organizations in global governance with a case study on women’s NGOs in the United Nations system. She has taught and published on civil society in global and European politics and on international relations theory. From 2007 to 2017, Barbara headed curricular affairs and admissions at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, a distinguished international graduate school that focuses on public policy and international affairs.
IES Abroad Berlin Staff
| Dr. Barbara Finke | Center Director |
|
Dr. Sabine Berking |
Academic Program Coordinator |
| Sascha Heller | Internship and Special Programs Manager |
| Gosia Piechowiak |
Student Affairs Coordinator |
| John Schulze | Assistant Director |
| Rolf Staudt | Head of Administration |
| Britta Tonak | Head of Customized Programs and Student Affairs |
| Ella Winter | Student Affairs Coordinator |
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Summer 2020 & Fall 2020 Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes the development of our refund policy for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020, which allows you to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, your money will be fully refunded.
Don't put your dreams on hold just because the world is unknown.
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