Location
  • Germany
    • Berlin
Term
Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Architecture Communications Computer Science Creative Writing Cultural Studies Design Economics Entrepreneurship Finance Gender Studies History International Business International Relations Journalism Marketing Media Relations Music Photography Political Science Public Health Service Learning Social Sciences Sustainable Development +13
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE! Our high-quality programs include tuition, housing, on-site airport pick-up, field trips and cultural activities, 24/7 on-site professional staff, and automatic iNext insurance. There are no hidden charges or surprises when you arrive, and scholarships opportunities are available!
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Some Meals Travel Insurance
Jun 04, 2024
May 04, 2024
12 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Students are welcomed with open arms in Germany’s capital city, where the cost of living is reasonable, public transportation is excellent, green space is abundant, and businesses – from hip tech start-ups to international conglomerates – thrive.

The thriving global city of Berlin is home to nearly 3.5 million people. Live among the locals and see for yourself why Berlin is ranked among the top for global urban quality-of-life – with excellent public transportation, you’ll have no problem exploring the city’s parks, orchestras, museums, festivals, and historical landmarks.

Courses are available in English and German.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • CIEE Berlin is conveniently located in the Kreuzberg district – a hub for the arts, music, and digital technology
  • Explore Berlin’s city life along the Spree River, well known for its numerous cafés, street musicians, beach bars, flea markets, boutique shops and pop up stores.
  • Practice your language skills with weekly activities organized in the residence hall and around the neighborhood, including cooking events, film nights, board-game evenings, and other opportunities designed to help you perfect your German while hanging ou
  • Depending on their program of study and availability, students may be able to volunteer or participate in an internship.
  • Do Berlin on your own terms by customizing your experience through the Open Campus program. Take one, two, or three six-week blocks, select your academic track from six options, then choose your courses from a wide range of subject areas.

Popular Programs

CIEE Berlin Summer Programs

Pack your bags and immerse yourself in the rich culture of one of Europe's most dynamic cities this summer. Art, music, and history in a historic backdrop all add to your summer study abroad experience.

CIEE Berlin Semester Programs

Architectural laboratory. Industrial giant. Cultural capital. Germany is the perfect setting to explore your passion – whether it’s art and architecture, business and economics, or German language and culture – or gain professional international experience.

CIEE Berlin January Programs

Berlin is the dynamic and fascinating capital city of a country with a complex history. As a center of German cultural and intellectual life, the influence of Berlin reverberates around the world. It offers an incredibly wide range of cultural offerings and has a moderate cost of living, making it an attractive place for artists and young people.

Berlin-landmark

With CIEE's Open Campus Block Programs, you can design your very own study abroad program to include up to three different locations for 6, 12 or 18 weeks.

Stay in one city the entire time or spend other blocks at our other Open Campus Block locations in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, or Sydney.

CIEE First Year Abroad in Berlin

Embark on an epic adventure in Berlin, where history comes alive amidst cool street art, trendy neighborhoods, and iconic spots like the legendary Brandenburg Gate. Whether you're a history buff, art lover, or just eager to soak in the city's youthful energy, Berlin is the ultimate destination for students seeking an unforgettable mix of past and present.

Program Reviews

4.83 Rating
based on 40 reviews
  • 5 rating 82.5%
  • 4 rating 17.5%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.45
  • Safety 4.9
  • Housing 4.35
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 40 reviews
Default avatar
Lily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad Review

I had an amazing time during my study abroad program, I did classes through CIEE and through my home university in addition to doing a service learning project in block 2. The CIEE instructors for the academic classes were excellent and very well-qualified. I personally had an amazing placement for my service learning project, but I know some of my peers were not as happy because there were limited placement options and not everyone was matched well. Within the service learning project we were expected to complete 90 hours in 6 weeks which was difficult to obtain, but working with my supervisor made it possible.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
If you go to the street food market on Thursday nights there is an amazing array of street food from different countries to try, you're sure to find something you haven't tried yet.
Pros
  • Berlin's food culture
  • Being able to travel throughout Europe
  • Making connections within the community through volunteering
Cons
  • Trying to speak German without many learning opportunities outside of the CIEE class
  • In the freshman year program there aren't many classes you get to choose
26 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Charlotte
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Study Abroad Berlin Open Campus

Throughout my time spent in Berlin, I have encountered many new experiences, countries, friends, and relationships that have all strengthened my character and have directed me on the path toward personal growth. I completed my studies at the CIEE Berlin campus, however, it surely was not the only place I began to frequent while in Berlin. The recommendations from the campus staff and the hearty smiles from my professors were nothing short of kind and endearing. I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the program as well. With the 6 week blocks, I was able to collect more class credits than a typical American semester, while also completing the requirements for my writing minor.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was when one of my connecting trains back to Berlin was delayed and eventually canceled which threw off my solo travel plans set for the entire day. Considering I primarily only speak English, this travel situation was not ideal and very stressful. However, I tried to tackle it positively and it all worked out eventually, until my wallet was stolen that evening and was an entirely new challenge to overcome.
Pros
  • Friends
  • Travel
  • Confidence
Cons
  • No single living/private space
  • no meal plan/meal credits
  • no cleaners for building
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madeline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience

Couldn't recommend this program more. There was so much support on-site, the location is perfect and the excursions were so much fun. Felt like I was simultaneously experiencing the most freedom of my life and also on a four month long class field trip. The city itself is amazing and full of things to do, and we were told all the details of places that are and are not as safe for us so I was not doing blind safety-wise. The staff is amazing, however the security that does sound checks at night are very unfriendly which can lead to unpleasantness. However overall would absolutely recommend.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Taking the UBahn! Was terrified at first but now I can do it just fine with no map. You just have to do it, there's no way around it.
Pros
  • Fun
  • Historical
  • Safe
Cons
  • Dorm rooms
  • Academic Policies
  • Classes in general
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Annabelle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go Berlin!

Berlin is a place where I was able to truly experience independence and freedom for the first time. It is such a unique city with endless opportunities for self-discovery. It has been the perfect way for me to explore life outside my comfort zone, and it's great for any first-year student looking to get a feel for the beauty in finding yourself. Whether you spend your time exploring the city with friends, communicating with your loved ones from a distance, or simply window-shopping while listening to your favorite podcast, Berlin is the perfect place to admire the little things in life. My advice for anyone exploring the city would definitely be to have a picnic or two, try out as many cafés as your wallet will allow, and definitely get out for walks, because you will most likely stumble upon your new favorite coffee shop.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Definitely a Döner box, which turned out to be one of my favorite go-to street foods. It is a box with salad, chicken, small fries, and dressing. You definitely can't go wrong with this one. Plus, there are countless Döner booths on every block of Berlin's city streets, so they are a super easy fix for a craving!
Pros
  • Lots of cafés to try.
  • People are friendly and helpful.
  • Social atmosphere is very vibrant.
Cons
  • Somewhat difficult for traveling to other European countries.
  • Weather isn't the best during the spring.
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Carter
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great month, great first experience in Europe

I studied abroad for the J Term in Berlin. For me, one month was the perfect amount of time to experience Berlin. My favorite part of being in Berlin is the fact that it is so centralized and it makes it easy to travel to other places. For example, we traveled to Prague for a weekend and it was super easy because of Berlin's awesome train system.
CIEE staff also made the month very easy and very fun. Our professor assigned us an appropriate amount of work to be able to experience Europe while also gaining information about the class.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was something I had never heard of: a Doner Kebab. Let me tell you something; it will be the greatest thing you ever eat. There are multiple Doner stands all around the neighborhood so there are so many to try.
Pros
  • Food
  • Train system
  • Staff
Cons
  • Students never cleaned the kitchen so it was basically unusable
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying abroad in Berlin

I loved studying abroad in Berlin. While I would not say it's a place I would visit for a vacation, it is a place I would love to live in. The city has an incredibly welcoming and open-minded atmosphere. It is an area where I felt incredibly safe and comfortable incorporating myself into the culture. The program did a great job of offering excursions and day/overnight trips to other areas. This opportunity and experience has been unforgettable and something I would recommend to someone looking to study abroad without a second thought.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be a "yes man"! I made sure to take advantage of the opportunities that arose and was able to meet so many cool people, eat new foods and experience new cultures. It was a joy to be able to look at things with an open mind and excitement.
Pros
  • Travel
  • Meeting new people
  • Experiencing a different culture without much culture shock (compared to the US)
Cons
  • The strict school attendance policy
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time at CIEE Berlin

My experience with CIEE Berlin is something that I'll remember for the rest of my life. This city is amazing and Id easily call it my second home. Because of how diverse Berlin is I not only got to experience German culture but several others too. These cultural experiences have lead to personal growth that I'm already seeing the effects of. It's also a city that you will never get bored in. Just by walking down the street there is always a new restaurant, store, or activity to explore. This program is everything I hoped study abroad to be and more and would highly recommend anyone thinking of studying abroad to absolutely go for it and 100% look at Berlin!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Being abroad gave me the amazing opportunity of not just getting to explore my host country of Germany but also several other European countries. As grateful for this experience as I am, i'm leaving Berlin wishing I had spent more time in the city. It's such a vast place I feel like I've only brushed the surface.
Pros
  • affordable city
  • kind staff
  • strong campus community
Cons
  • 10 pm noise ordinance
46 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maja
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad in Berlin

Studying abroad in Berlin has been an incredible journey that has profoundly impacted my life. The experience has opened my eyes to various cultures, not just within Berlin but also in the surrounding areas. This immersion has been a source of immense joy and has enriched my understanding of the world in ways I can't fully express.

One of the most significant aspects of this journey has been the development of my independence and self-awareness. Being in a new environment has encouraged me to discover more about who I am as a person and how I can incorporate this growth into my future endeavors. The challenges and opportunities here have truly shaped me.

I am deeply grateful for the support and guidance provided by the staff in Berlin. Their assistance has not only made my academic pursuits smoother but has also fostered a sense of community that has been invaluable as a student abroad. Their presence has made every day here more meaningful.

Without a doubt, choosing to come to Berlin has been one of the best decisions of my life. This experience will forever alter the way I perceive the world, leaving an indelible mark on my perspective and future aspirations.

Thank You CIEE BERLIN!

50 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers