IES Abroad Berlin

As an international relations major, it was very important to me that the classes I took abroad actually would contribute to my major and not be wishy-washy. I was blown away by not just how fun the field trip and classes are, but how much learning I did in these classes. A lot of these teachers are experts in their field, so you're talking to someone who works in a think tank or archives rather than just an average college professor.
The support from the office is also amazing. I was at IES Berlin for 2 semesters and felt fully supported by the staff and teachers. I received therapy support and academic support in my German extensively, and help with recommendations for what to do in Berlin. While you are a student first, the staff knows you are also a college student who wants to travel and enjoy Berlin.

If you want to not only expand your German but take classes that advance yourself in European politics i highly recommend!!!

Because of study abroad, I have had the opportunity to learn about a place in class, through books, or from my parents, and then be able to see and experience it myself. I think this is an opportunity everyone should have, or at least consider for themselves.

Through studying abroad, you can learn things outside of the classroom. I had the benefit of knowing the language of my home city before even stepping off the plane, but others I’ve talked to learned language skills through their time abroad. Truly immersing yourself in the culture, language, and customs of a location is something you can't learn from a textbook.

My time abroad taught me a lot about myself. I never considered myself an independent person before living in Berlin, but after solo traveling and discovering towns in my free time, I have grown to do more things on my own, and it is very freeing and gives me a lot of new opportunities.

While studying abroad in Berlin, I was one of the presidency, marketing, and student affairs interns for an international university, where I primarily focused on online presence, social media operations, organization, and analysis. This hands-on experience will help me gain an international position at a bilingual company after graduation.

I was also a part of the student council while in Berlin, where I acted as a co-event planner and marketer, designing posters and graphics for the IES Abroad Berlin Instagram page and the education abroad center where classes were held. Throughout my time abroad, I acted as a social media correspondent for my study abroad program, IES Abroad, where I posted photos, stories, and videos throughout my time and travels abroad.

Studying abroad gave me a sense of independence I never would have gained by staying in my hometown. Living in a new country challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt quickly, and rely on myself in ways I hadn’t before. I learned a lot about who I am while in Berlin, which is why it was one of the most rewarding and transformative parts of my college years.

Berlin is an incredible city, so filled with history and culture! I felt at home very quickly at the start of my program, and I have to attribute much of that to the lovely staff at IES's Berlin Center. They welcomed us in with much care and support, and the faculty were really knowledgeable. My courses were striking and very relevant to my degree in International Affairs. I feel I've returned with a better understanding of the relationship between America and Europe, and how my identity fit as an American in Germany. The staff took us on day trips to Hamburg, Potsdam and Dresden, which were very enjoyable! They also provided opportunities to attend cultural events and visit local museums. Our pre-departure information meetings with the Center staff were very informative; learning about grocery stores and prepaid cellular providers beforehand saved me time during our first week of adjustment. The neighborhood our student apartments were in is a very cool area, and public transport across the city is great. I became really close with the other students in the program, and we bonded more because we lived in the same building. I'd highly recommend Berlin to anyone looking to visit Europe for the first time, and I'd advocate for any of IES's other programs in Germany as well!

Studying abroad on the IES Metropolitan Studies in Berlin was one of the best times in my life. My cohort was the first ones back since the pandemic so many things were different, so please take my review with a grain of salt. However, I had the most fun ever. The group that came was much smaller than a typically year so as a result we all got to know each other quite well. We all lived in the same apartment buildings so we frequently collaborated on meals and gatherings. This worked well for my program as it was nice to live in a community of others from the States and allowed for an easier transition into Germany. We had many planned trips through IES which were a lot of fun and the classes were incredibly interesting as they used the city of Berlin as a case study. Overall can't recommend enough, the staff were incredible as well and so friendly. You will truly be supported on this program if you decide to go.

Berlin is a fantastic city, and with the proper courage and support, most anyone can have an amazing experience there. IES Berlin did a great job providing this support and helping us students step out of their comfort zone to have the best experience that we could. IES made sure we had the basic familiarity with Berlin and German culture so that we could safely and productively explore. Regular trips and activities around the city and the country encouraging me to see important parts of the culture and history that I might have missed out on otherwise. (Mostly) excellent professors pushed our German language abilities so that I was able to interact more effectively with our surroundings and get the most value out of our time. The classes encouraged me to engage with Berlin, taking me on walking tours and making me interview Berliners. I had plenty of time to explore the things that attracted me once class got out too. Tinder, Facebook, and the like are alive and well for getting to know locals and finding out about events. The student assistants employed by the program were incredibly friendly and had tons of great recommendations and advice as we went out to find our own favorite bars, sports teams, and activities. Whenever I was in Berlin, I felt supported. Staff members were accessible around the clock, and we regularly received emails with notifications about events that might interest students feeling lost or isolated. The program also fostered a friendly environment around the center, so even if we were having trouble, there was someplace comfortable to go. I had to seek out the things I wanted to get out of my time abroad, but IES was there to help and support me the entire way.

My year abroad in Berlin has been one of the best experiences of my life. Studying abroad provided me with a chance to truly experience the German culture and language firsthand while also getting to learn a different side of myself. This experience has shaped me into a person who is willing to be adventurous, chase understanding, and explore new sides of myself and my surroundings. But not only have I gotten to know myself, but I have become a part of the language and culture around me. Being able to take classes both through IES and Humboldt University, I have been able to learn about the German educational culture while furthering my German language skills immensely. But while these aspects of my education have given me a greater understanding and appreciation of studying in Germany, they almost do not compare to the amount I have learned outside of the classroom. Living in Berlin has taught me more about Germany - in the past and the future - than I could have ever hoped to learn from afar. I have been able to live and be part of the history of Germany. My home-stay taught me about the German culture and past from the point of view of someone who lives it everyday. It is truly amazing to be able to discuss things like the Berlin Wall with someone who lived in Berlin from the time of the Wall's creation until the time of its destruction. There is nothing better than learning from those who saw it happen. These are the moments that made my experience abroad something that I will remember forever. Things like that can only happen on a study abroad like this, and this is just one small example of the amazing things I have been able to experience through this study abroad experience. Studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made. No matter what I do in the future, I know that this experience has helped shaped me into an independent, open, and ever-learning individual. I could not be more satisfied with my IES Abroad Berlin experience, and I highly recommend the opportunity to anyone and everyone.

I was fortunate enough to complete my dream of traveling to Europe, specifically Berlin, Germany. Coming here to study for a semester was the best decision I have made in my entire life. I went to this country alone, not knowing anyone, but came out with friendships that will last a lifetime. I was able to live in a homestay, which made this journey a lot more fun. I was fortunate enough to already know German before coming, and I was able to continue learning with a German class at IES. I got to travel to so many different places within Berlin and check out all the historical aspects, the wall, and many museums. There is so much to do in Berlin that there was never a day that I was bored. The city is so easy to navigate and public transportation can get you basically anywhere. I can't wait to come back someday and visit my old stomping grounds.

Berlin has a contemporary and relaxing atmosphere, but it also has important layers of history. Many of my classes here touched upon history through different lens. For example, in Metropolitan development class, we discussed how different political ideologies in East and West Berlin influenced urban planning and architectural designs. In Recycled City class, we talked about economic challenges after reunification and how neoliberal housing policy led to gentrification. The program here delves into underlying mechanism of how urban space is practiced and its physical manifestations. During my time in Berlin, I also got to meet new people from different cultural backgrounds. I attended dance classes in a contemporary dance studio and met a Korean girl who was studying theater in Sweden. While dining out, I got to learn stories of immigrants from China, Vietnam, and Turkey. Each individual carries his/her own bits of history and every conversation we share becomes a moment of cultural exchange. I really enjoy such moments.