Experience.

I stayed at Studentdorf Schlactensse in Dahlem district of Berlin. It is an hour-long commute to the FU campus, but the transportation is far better in Berlin than in NYC. The housing was fine, the rooms small, showers clean, kitchen large. The FU campus is beautiful, the Winter program staff were extremely friendly and likable. The Professor was German-born American raised, highly knowledgable and interesting. Class excursions were amazing- it was worth the trip just for those.
The Menso food is cheap and delicious, but leaves you feeling like you haven't eaten. The students were from every continent and brought a huge amount of knowledge to the class - it was worth coming just for that as well. Overall amazing experience,
Tschüss !