German Language & European Studies

Freie Universität Berlin
Berlin, Germany
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Program Overview

Program Overview

  • Popular Subject Areas

    German Language & European Studies

  • Location

    Berlin

  • Host University

    Freie Universität Berlin

    Founded in West Berlin during the early Cold War period, Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) was established when anti-communist students protested against having to attend Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, a university located in East Berlin and taught by the Soviet Military Administration in Germany. After many student protests, FUB was established as a university for the "Free World" in West Berlin. Just about 40 minutes outside of Berlin's city center, ISA students will study on the university's Lankwitz campus. You can enjoy picking courses from a wide range of offerings instructed in English or German, and will take classes alongside ISA and other visiting international students.

  • Term

    Summer 3 2025

  • Program Dates

    Jun 07, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025

  • Program Length

    Summer

  • Application Deadline

    Mar 10, 2025

  • Forms and Payment Deadline

    Mar 25, 2025

  • Credit

    180 Contact Hours

  • Eligibility

    2.50 Minimum GPA*

  • Cost

    $9,350

  • Apply Now

Study Abroad Program Description

The German Language & European Studies program at Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) offers a great variety of courses in German and European Studies. Popular subject areas include German Language, European Studies, History, Political Science, Sociology, and Art History. Courses are taught in English and German by local and visiting faculty at FUB with other international students.

You are not required to have a background in German language in order to participate in this program. You will be required to complete a language placement exam prior to departure if taking a German language course and have a background in German language.

*Eligibility

MINIMUM GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

For summer and j-term programs, you must have completed at least one year at a college or university at the time of participation.

What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Airport Reception*

Visa Support

Tuition at the Host University

Housing

Meals and Laundry Service*

Bridging Cultures Orientation

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site Offices

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

Excursions*

Cultural Activities

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Scholarship Opportunities

Academics

Credits

Contact Hours

180

ECTS Credits

14

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

9 - 12

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

13 - 18

Academic Information

Course Selection

  • This program has two tracks- Track A and Track B. You will select one course from each track for a total of two courses.
  • Track A offers German language and content courses. Track B offers content courses only.
  • Course availability is based on enrollment numbers. You should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last-minute class cancelations. 
  • Requests for sample syllabi can be made to the Germany Program Manager.

Course Availability

  • Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change. 
  • Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or prerequisites.   

Language Placement

  • Enrollment in Track A German language courses is determined by the results of a language placement exam administered online pre-program by Freie Universität Berlin. Please note that your performance on the placement exam may not reflect the number of semesters of language instruction you’ve already completed at your home university.  
  • If you are trying to place into any level of language beyond true beginning, it is recommended that you prepare for the language placement exam by reviewing previous coursework.

Course Credit

  • You are required to take 14 ECTS credits for the Summer 3 program.
  • All Semi-Intensive German language courses (Track A) are worth 7 ECTS credits / 108 contact hours, and all subject courses (Track A and Track B) are worth 7 ECTS credits / 72 contact hours.
  • ISA makes U.S. credit recommendations based off of the course contact hours, however, transfer credits earned will be decided entirely by your home university. It is important to be in touch with your university about course approvals and transfer credit pre-departure. 
  • According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, you must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by your home university.  

Course Level Recommendations

  • ISA offers course level recommendations for the courses listed below. Please note that the course level recommendations are based on the Freie Universität Berlin’s (FUB) course structure system. According to FUB’s administration, all subject courses are designed as upper division level undergraduate courses. For all language courses, ISA considers courses from Beginning to High Intermediate as lower division, and Advanced to High Advanced as upper division. These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisors and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.

Transcript Information

  • The transcript from Freie Universität Berlin will reflect ECTS Credits and Contact Hours. Please be in touch with your home university regarding credit transfer for this program.
  • The contact hour at Freie Universität Berlin is 45 minutes. The ISA Cover Letter that will accompany your transcript upon completion of your program will reflect the adjusted U.S. 50-minute contact hour. Please discuss credit transfer with your home university prior to departure.

Courses

Filter by Subject

select allclear all

Freie Universität Berlin
A-Track Language Courses
108 Contact Hours
7 ECTS Credits
108 Contact Hours
7 ECTS Credits
108 Contact Hours
7 ECTS Credits
108 Contact Hours
7 ECTS Credits
B-Track Subject Courses
Course Disclaimer
  • Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations

Support & Funding

ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.

SUPPORT TEAM

Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.

Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.

U.S. Team

Drew Beasley

Program Manager, Germany

Jessie Llerena

Region & Account Manager, Germany

BERLIN TEAM

Karen Montero

Resident Director, Germany

Identity Resources

Accessibility & Accommodations

With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.

Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.

Destination Information

Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.

Identity Blog

ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.

Funding

All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!

If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.

Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org

Housing

Living in ISA housing will give you the opportunity to experience aspects of the German lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor in Berlin. Uncovering the uniqueness of your Bezirke (district) and the surrounding areas will help you to feel right at home. No matter which type of housing you choose, you will commute to class as most Berliners do, via U-Bahn and S-Bahn. With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.

We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations; however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.

Homestay

Host families are the best option if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by the host university in Berlin in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays will provide daily breakfast and dinner. A typical homestay includes a private bedroom with linen, a desk, and a place for clothing and personal items. Homestays cannot be guaranteed over winter break for academic-year students.

Dorm

The dorm is best choice if you would like to be independent while living in a greener and quieter environment. The Student Village is located in the southwest of Berlin and is approximately 55 minutes from campus by public transportation. The dorm offers private rooms with a shared bathroom, kitchen, and communal area. All rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, bookshelf, and closet. There are shared bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens on each floor. The duvet, cushions, and bedding are provided. There is a communal room with a TV as well as credit card-operated laundry facilities on site. Free Wi-Fi is provided.

Independent Housing

You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.

You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.

Excursions

THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

ISA excursions allow you to explore the diverse, distinct, and gorgeous cities of Germany that you may not be able to visit on your own. The destinations shown below are a sample of some of the possibilities, which are finalized in the time leading up to the start of your program.

Beelitz-Heilstätten

The town of Beelitz is about an hour southwest of Berlin and is home to Beelitz-Heilstätten. In the early 1900s it served as a lung clinic and sanatorium with just 600 beds but quickly expanded to a 60-building facility. Like many hospitals in Europe, its halls have seen soldiers through the two World Wars and was appropriated by Soviet Army in 1945 to become the largest Soviet military hospital outside the Soviet Union. Since the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1994 the facility stood empty and has been popular with photographers and urban explorers. In 2015, the land has been developed to be more inviting to the public. When visiting students will be able to participate in a guided history tour and walk the treetop path that allows for visitors to look over the grounds and vast forest surrounding Beelitz-Heilstätten.

Potsdam * Optional

Potsdam is the capital of Brandenburg, located about 24 km south-west from Berlin's city center. The city used to be the home of Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until the end of the First World War. Because of this, you can admire stunning palaces with marvelous gardens like the Sanssouci and the Cecilienhof palaces. In 1990, the palaces and parks of Potsdam earned the city a spot on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Cultural Activities in Berlin

The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Berlin! The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Berlin special. These activities vary each term and are designed to further introduce you to your host city. Previous offerings have included walking tours of the city center, a street art tour, movie night in an artsy cinema, guided tour of the Stasi prison, and visits to the Dome of Reichstag and Berliner Dome, for example.

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