European Studies Program at Freie Universität Berlin

Overall, I had a wonderful experience in Berlin and with FU-BEST. My first semester I very much so felt like a student that was studying abroad. While during my second semester, it felt I was living abroad and so happened to be studying. FU-BEST is a great program and if you can come for a semester (or two) I 10/10 recommend it.

Strengths:

1. German Classes
12 hours/week gives you a realistic shot at learning German. Went from B2 to C2 in a year--no way I could do that in the states.

2. Excursions
Ranging from day trips around the city to week-long excursions through Europe, the excursions were incredible. Not only do you learn A LOT, but you also collect great life experiences and the trips foster friendships.

3. FU-BEST team!!!!!

FU-BEST is very unlike most Study Abroad programs. Whereas many Americans may choose Spain, France, or the UK and expect their time to be somewhat of a smooth 4-month vacation, this certainly isn't that. FU-BEST is an academically intensive program with a serious course structure. Whereas the instructors are world class (my two instructors were former diplomats), and the homestay is the greatest decision I could've made, the program does not offer those desiring to learn the language an ability to focus their time on it. Enrolling in the Language Tandem Partner Program, living in a lively homestay, and taking the intensive language course track does help a lot, but if you are not on top of your game, you might second guess your commitment to learning the language. Some language instructors want you to learn and provide you with the tools to do so while others are very difficult and don't make it fun. It all depends on what you are looking to get from the program. After a full year on the program, I can honestly say that I'd do it again with FU-Best even though I felt defeated along the way. My host family was a dream come true, and not all the Americans you'll meet fit the stereotype (99% of students are American). Without positive experiences with my host family, I wouldn't have continued to pursue my interests in Berlin.

I like Berlin as a city but the FU BEST program made it very difficult to have a meaningful experience. I feel robbed of an incredible opportunity because the program is run so poorly. The (mostly) poorly taught courses require about 30-50 pages of reading per a week EACH, the campus isolates you from any German students, and all of the housing is very far from anywhere you would want to be. While I still enjoyed my time here overall, it was in spite of all the obstacles that the program created. Thank god there were cool people to hang out with or this program would have been a complete waste. I had been looking forward to my semester abroad for years, and I am very upset I chose to have this once in a lifetime experience with such a bad program.

This is a fantastic program from start to finish. Everything from the application process to the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff is excellent. The staff will help you in anything you may need. I had doctor visits, reimbursement questions, additional volunteering options, etc, and they helped me every step of the way. Without question the staff makes this an excellent program.

Academics
Here is where you can plan and think how you want your semester to look like. I would recommend to take only the classes you need and enroll in intensive German. Yes, perhaps you might be overwhelmed with the amount of new information, but trust me, before you know it you will be speaking enough German to go around! I took advantage of the intensive German courses and I would highly recommend it to enhance your cultural experience. Also, be sure to structure your academic schedule to give you enough space to engage in personal travel. I had enough time to do well in my courses and then travel during the weekend.

Housing
The major highlight of the program was housing. I highly recommend taking the homestay option. The program pairs you with a family that best suits your preferences. I was so blessed in my homestay family that I became very close friends with them. I got a deeper understanding and experience with a German family. Do not miss the opportunity to do homestay!

Overall
I wish I had stay longer. Now I am thinking of ways of coming back. My homestay family was perfect, the program staff are excellent and incredibly helpful, academics depend on what your needs are, and the German intensive course will become incredibly useful. I got to see so many countries in Europe because the program gives you a fantastic excursion to various countries and enough time to get to know the city and/or the continent. I had a great time and I wish it had been longer.

Employers always ask about my study abroad experience and I always brag about how excellent this program was. Do not miss it!

The FU-BEST program had a lot of surprising features in it. I didn’t expect the program to be so well planned out and inclusive, but it was. I really enjoyed the cultural events that the university organized for us. I saw my first soccer match and was able to enjoy more traditional German operatic pieces. The organizers seemed to have put a lot of effort into making the process (especially within the very bureaucratic entanglement that Germany). The team provided lots of support and even accommodated me when I needed special help.
One thing that I regret not taking advantage of more during the program would have to be the Stammtisch. Would have been a great opportunity to make more friends outside of my immediate class groups.
One of my favorite parts would have to be the walking tour at the beginning, it was a beautiful and educational way of introducing the citiy to us.

Unlike most people who study abroad(at least the ones I met), my decision to do so was quite late minute and out of desperation. I was very upset with the political climate back home in the United States and I decided to set out on an adventure to an unknown land. Although I had studied extensively on East Central Europe for my major in Political Science and History, I didn't have much expectations for modern Germany. I had also never been away from home, but I guess my lack of planning is what led to me submitting the application. To be fair, I did develop cold feet days before I took off, but I was persistent.
Best. Decision. Ever.
I arrived in Tegel Airport and took a cab to the University. Although I was tired, I was greeted by the program directors and student assistants with a big smile on their faces which felt very nice. My host family picked me up from the University and these are some of the nicest people I ever met. They made me feel at home immediately. The first week of classes were mostly excursions which felt quite tiring at the time but I came to appreciate it later on when we felt so familiar with this new city within such a short period of time. Classes were challenging, yet manageable which I greatly appreciated. The readings and books given to us ended up being so helpful that they are now a part of my reference list and I use all the time. The German language classes have such an innovative and spontaneous learning environment with a lot of excursions which made the language learning process (which could be quite frustrating), so exciting. I fell in love with Berlin so much that I decided to pursue my Masters here, in the same University. I met my wonderful boyfriend in Berlin. I feel like my host family became my second family and I still visit them every other weekend. The best part of this program - for me, is that it isn't too easy. I have friends who went to Italy and Paris and all they did was eat pasta and visit other countries. FU-BEST is challenging and thus very informative about German politics, culture, architecture etc. I feel like it is made in a way that falling in love with Germany and inevitably Berlin is inevitable. We get just the right amount of free time to visit all of Europe, but the academic part is definitely given as much priority. Literally everyone who was in the program with me are majorly jealous of my move here and still DM me all the time asking how they could do it too. There was not one person I met that didn't feel the same way I did. To any future participant who is reading this: do it! If you are really serious about learning a thing or two while still getting your adventure on, this is the BEST program for that.

I spent two semester (one full academic year) with FU-BEST in Berlin. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for an educational experience presented in a unique perspective (through a German/European lens) and excited to experience everything the city has to offer.
I had an amazing time with FU-BEST and in Germany in general but I know others may be more critical to certain aspects, such as not being on the main Freie University campus or the distant apartment housing (though everything in Berlin takes about an hour to get to, so the commute really not that bad)
The bottom line is this: FU-BEST is a program where YOU shape the experience. You can have an amazing time if you take advantage of the opportunities given and take the initiative to find interesting/entertaining people, places, & events.
Academically, the professors are highly knowledgeable in their subjects and are often former government, diplomatic, scholarship, or business leaders. This means expectations are moderately high; this is not a program where students can just skate by. Professors are passionate about their work and appreciate students who are there to learn and engage with the material.
Socially, the onus is on you to meet people and form relationships, especially with German students. There is a tandem partner program offered but not everyone receives one. If you do, keep up with meeting and practicing your language skills or ask them for advice of fun things to do in Berlin. My tandem partner was one of my closest friends throughout my abroad experience; she helped me with German, brought me to concerts, restaurants, festivals, and parks, and we remained in touch when I returned to the States. If you do not have a tandem partner, don't be afraid to meet the locals by joining a sports team or volunteering. My other close German friends were made out of chance as one of them found my student-ID and sent me a message. Then, through her, I met several other students from the main FU campus. Be open-minded, social, and excited :)
FU-BEST staff is amazing; there is a weekly Thursday get-together for all students which is hosted at different local bar every time. A newsletter is provided monthly with upcoming activities and events. Everyone is helpful, eager to answer any questions, and readily available. I got pink eye on a excursion to Brussels and, within an hour of notifying the program director, was assisted on what to do and where to find a prescription. A handbook is presented at the beginning of every semester filled with relevant information that is very helpful. The program assistants are fun and want to ensure participants are having an exciting, safe, and unique experience. 10/10 for the planning and execution of the overall program administration!
Housing is adequate; the apartments my year were small and cosy and included a single room which had a futon, desk, sink/hot plates, and side bathroom. I participated in a homestay my second semester and LOVED it; my family became an important part of my life and I urge everyone to take the opportunity to live with residents of the city, especially if you are looking to improve your language skills. As I mentioned earlier, transportation can be annoying due to the length of time but the U/S-bahns and busses run on time and are much more functional than other public transportation systems in the U.S. that I've experienced (particularly the DC-metro).
The excursions are fun and allow you to see more of the continent and I would suggest attending most if not all of the activities listed as they are usually fun, informative, and allow you a deeper insight in the countries. I went on the Amsterdam/Brussels and Hamburg/Copenhagen excursions and had a blast but the location options change every semester. This is also a time when you form close bonds with other students in the program so make friends with those in your hostel!
Berlin is a great city and, as a former mayor once famously stated, "poor but sexy". It's cheap for a European capital (much more so than Munich), filled with museums and memorials, has a sizable immigrant population (so lots of diversity), and often considered an anomaly within Germany. People usually love it or very much dislike it and it's definitely not everybody's cup of tea but if you are interested in history, culture, nightlife, politics, and often progressive causes, Berlin is the place for you.
I would return to Berlin and FU-BEST in a heartbeat.

Doing two semesters of FU-BEST in Berlin was one of the best decisions ever! During fall semester, I learned so much about Berlin through FU-BEST, and by spring semester I was able to navigate the city and take full advantage of field trips, excursions, and free time. Fall semester in Berlin included Oktoberfest and Christmas markets, and with the warm weather towards the end of spring, Berlin felt like a completely different city. The program newsletter gave great suggestions for activities throughout the year, provided interesting Friday field trips, and most of all, exciting excursions throughout Germany and surrounding countries. The staff was always so nice and helpful and knew everyone well enough to give personalized advice, help with any issue, or give recommendations. Classes also felt personalized since they were only about 15 students large, so it was easy to get to know the teachers and other students and get the most out of the subject. My favorite thing about the program was that it was small enough to feel personalized, but still large enough that it was always possible to meet someone new and never feel confined. The program has lots of resources that make it possible to meet other Berliners and practice your German. I'm so thankful for everything I learned in my classes and living in Berlin and I highly recommend this program to get the fullest experience of Berlin!