Perfect Balance of Independence and Support for Study Abroad

The semester I spent studying with BCGS was a wonderful experience. Carmen and Niko were well-organized and really oriented the program to help us to get the most out of Berlin. Although we did have many program activities, especially in the beginning, what I liked most was the freedom afforded to participants. We had the option to live on campus or find a sublet elsewhere (admittedly very difficult), and could spend our time outside of class immersing however we chose.

In my individual pursuits, I felt supported along every step of the way -- Carmen especially took time to check in about these things. The academics were top-notch, and some of the students I spent the semester with have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in German Studies (or other fields) in fantastic programs. In general, the people I joined in BCGS were very brainy and a real pleasure to spend time with. The German instruction was great and the program's explicit focus on cultivating the ability to speak and write academic-level german was a huge benefit, even for those of us who never intend to use it.

I have actually found myself back in Berlin as I began a job here recently, and I must say, I constantly think about how thankful I am to the program for holding my hand (but not too tightly) when dealing with German bureaucracy for the first time. I now feel much more confident and capable, and have navigated all of my visa processes, health insurance, registrations, etc etc alone and without issue -- and I am incredibly thankful to BCGS for making these processes less intimidating for me the first time.