Why Berlin?
Berlin is a vibrant city with a wealth of interesting historical sites. The goal of the program is to structure cultural activities into our afternoons. Berlin is home to a world-class Philharmonic, and we integrate several philharmonic performances into our month, in addition to stage performances at historic venues like the National Opera House, The Berliner Ensemble, The Gorki. The group will partake of several guided tours, at the Historical Museum, the Topography of Terror, and the Museum of Musical Instruments. On the weekends they explore historically rich and important neighborhoods, like the historic Jewish District in Berlin Mitte and the neighborhoods along the Berlin Wall.
Students will also take one multi-day / overnight trip, and day-long excursions to Weimar, where we have the opportunity to visit several museums, including the Buchenwald museum /site, and attend a performance at the German National Theater.
Optional activities will include additional excursions throughout Berlin during the week, including concerts, theater performances and museum trips beyond the basic program activities, depending on student interest. One fully unstructured weekend will be left for the students for independent travel.
Academics
German-language classes at all levels are offered through Berlin's international language center, the Neue Schule. Students take a placement exam upon arrival to ensure they are enrolled in a level-appropriate course. Students move from level to level based on personal readiness, so each student has the opportunity to advance at his/her own pace.
Students will have the chance of a full immersion into the language and culture while living with a host family, attending language courses in German only, navigating the city, attending cultural events in the afternoons and on weekends. "Die Neue Schule" administers the language courses. Students will receive 20 hours of language instruction per week.
Clusters and Credits
Students enroll in either German 107, 157, or 207. All courses can be counted toward a humanities cluster in German, or toward the major or the minor in German. Students receive 4 credits (equivalent of one course). No graduate level offered.
Final journal entry is due within one week after the end of the program.
Prerequisites: One year of college German or equivalent, or permission of the program director.
Accommodations
Students have the benefit of a family homestay experience while in Berlin. They enjoy a private room in the home, but will be incorporated into daily family life. Families will provide students with one meal per day. Families are coordinated and vetted by Die Neue Schule.
Cost
$4,600 (does not include airfare and personal expenses). All students will automatically be considered for the Mildred Burton by creating their application in the Center for Education Abroad Portal. Both need-based and merit will be considered given funding availability. Awards will be determined in late January/early February.
Other scholarships
There are many scholarships and funding sources, both need and merit-based, for education abroad, and we encourage you to apply. Visit our Scholarships page for more information.
Contact
Professor Lisa Cerami, Assistant Professor of German, lcerami3@ur.rochester.edu
