Berlin, with its cultural and cosmopolitan kaleidoscope, provides a vibrant background for summer or January term study. Few European cities have undergone such continual redefinition and change. Berlin’s restored identity as the nation’s capital has been the driving force in both design and cultural diversity.

The political and cultural developments of the 19th and 20th centuries are visible throughout Berlin's cityscape, reflecting both the history of architecture and various approaches to dealing with the consequences of war and destruction. Home to the designated UNESCO World Heritage site of Museum Island, of the world-famous Brandenburg Gate and the superb architecture of the impressive Reichstag building, Berlin has a magical appeal for all visitors. With approximately 3.5 million inhabitants, Berlin is the largest city in Germany and is constantly reinventing itself.

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The University of Berlin was founded in 1810 and is Berlin’s oldest university. Its name was changed to Humboldt in 1949 in honor of the statesman Wilhelm von Humboldt and his brother the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. The University occupies a former royal palace and was host to Marx and Engels as well as 29 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein and the nuclear scientist Otto Hahn. AIFS students take courses at the various departments in the University.

Program at a glance

• 3-week January term Study Abroad in Berlin, Germany
• Open to college freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors
• Minimum GPA of 2.75 required (lower GPAs will be considered on a case by case basis)
• Program fee includes tuition, housing, a meal plan, excursions and cultural activities, and more. Optional AIFS flight package available.
• Earn 3 semester credits
• No previous German language study required
• Courses offered in German language, history, law, music, politics, religion and social science.
• The local AIFS Resident Director and staff organize cultural activities and housing, act as a liaison between students and the university, and are available 24/7 in case of emergencies
• Comprehensive Insurance and assistance package
• Transcripts issued by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Courses

• Culture/Music 305 (3 credits) | Success in Popular Music: The Music Industry in the Digital Age
• History/Politics/Social Science 312 (3 credits) | The Berlin Wall and Cold War Era
• History/Cultural Studies 315 (3 credits) | Cultural Memory - Museums in Berlin
• Law 313 (3 credits) | Introduction to International Economic Law
• Politics/Social Science 309 (3 credits) | Germany and the New World Order
• Religion/Culture 308 (3 credits) | Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Germany
• Social Science 311 (3 credits) | European City and Regional Development Planning - The Case of Berlin
• German 101/201 (3 credits) | German language - Berlin in the Winter