Location
  • Germany
    • Berlin
Term
Academic Year, Spring
Subject Areas
American Studies Archaeology Art History Asian Studies Biology Business Chemistry Communications Computer Science Cultural Studies Earth Sciences Economics Education English Film Gender Studies Health Sciences History International Relations Jewish Studies Latin American Studies Liberal Arts Life Sciences Linguistics Literature Mathematics Medieval Studies Middle Eastern Studies Peace Studies Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Russian and Eastern European Studies +25

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
University
Free University of Berlin
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
German

Pricing

Starting Price
19905
Price Details
BCGS member students (U Chicago, Columbia U, Cornell U, Johns Hopkins U, U Pennsylvania, Princeton U, U Notre Dame, Vassar College) pay tuition and fees to their home institutions. Financial aid, with the exception of federal work study, may be applied to study overseas.

Visiting students pay tuition to Columbia University. Visiting students should consult with their home institutions to see whether their financial aid is transferable to the BCGS program.

BCGS member students: Home-school tuition rate
Visiting students: $19,905 per semester (Fall 2021/Spring 2022)
What's Included
Some Activities Classes Transportation
What's Not Included
Accommodation Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 10, 2021
Feb 26, 2021
11 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Berlin Consortium for German Studies (U Chicago, Columbia U, Cornell U, Johns Hopkins U, U Pennsylvania, Princeton U) is an academic-year or spring semester program dedicated to helping students improve their German language skills by providing intensive language training, encouraging them to function independently in the German university system, and offering a program that allows them to fully experience German life, customs, and culture.

Students enroll at the Freie Universität Berlin, which hosts a broad variety of departments. Students may also consider taking select courses at other universities in Berlin. Studying in Berlin for the full year opens the possibility of arranging full-time internships during the semester break in February and March.

The equivalent of at least two years of college-level German is required to apply to the program. The academic year program runs from September to July, while the spring semester program runs February to July.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • full immersion in German university culture and Berlin life
  • customizable to varying German proficiency levels and fields of study
  • elaborate academic and personal support system on site
  • internship and volunteer work opportunities

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 24 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.95
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.95
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 24 reviews
Default avatar
Robert
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Outstanding Academics, Life-changing Growth, Fun City to Live in!

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What was your funniest moment?
I personally find it funny when having a conversation I meant to say one thing in German but actually said something completely different! Rather than getting scared or embarrassed in situations like this, I usually just try to laugh and remember both the meaning of what I actually said and how to say what I wanted to say. It's learning extra vocabulary without even asking for it! German's a very fun language to speak, and if you don't laugh at it every once in a while it's easy to get frustrated that you don't speak it like a native! I guess just remember, universities are international communities, no one there (or even in a multicultural city like Berlin) really expects you to speak perfect German. Don't be scared to mess up, and just insist to keep speaking the language and you'll do great!
166 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Colin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Perfect Balance of Independence and Support for Study Abroad

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What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be prepared for a lot of work! Even though the primary product of a German semester is only the term papers at the end of the course, these are no joke. It takes significant time and research to create something decent, especially as a nonnative speaker.
168 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Paisley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BCGS was an unforgettable experience!

I really loved my time with BCGS. The program directors are so supportive, and I made lifelong friends not only through my cohort, but also in Berlin through my classes. My German language skill improved dramatically over my year abroad, as well as my confidence in speaking, reading, and writing the language. I was challenged academically, socially, and pushed to be more independent than I had ever been. It was definitely a challenging program, but I learned so much about myself, about German culture, and about Berlin through it all!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Whether that's in your language-learning process or just in general. I learned the most from the mistakes I made during my year abroad.
166 people found this review helpful.
Lorraine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing experience studying abroad

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If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would simply relax and cherish every opportunity to meet new people!
175 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Juchi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Well-run program with top-notch academics

It's not easy to fit a year abroad into an academic schedule, especially in a STEM field. However, the payoff is fully worth the challenge. Not only is grading and credit transfer from the Freie Universität favorable, but the semester break (only available if you do the full year!) affords you the opportunity of doing an internship abroad. Don't make the same mistake I did by passing up this chance!

I can only assume that Dr. Carmen Mueller is the same model of organizational efficiency and dry humor that she was when I studied in Berlin in 2014-15. BCGS does most of the heavy lifting, administratively, for the study abroad process, leaving you free to study at the three offered universities in Berlin, explore Europe, widen your horizons, push your comfort zone, and all the other things commonly associated with studying abroad (hint: aforementioned cliches lose their luster but they exist for a reason). Also, your German-speaking abilities will be miles better when you come home.

184 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Odis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An outstanding program and an invaluable experience abroad

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174 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Christopher
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Great Choice for Academic, Cultural and Professional Growth

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166 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommended!

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177 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers