Select Your Program Option:
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Fall 2024
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Spring 2025
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Fall 2025
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Spring 2026
Overview
Spend a semester or academic year in the dynamic and artistic city of Berlin, Germany, with AIFS! Study a variety of academic program options at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin). A leading research institution, FU Berlin attracts a student enrollment of almost 30,000. The campus is located in a charming, quiet section of the city that is conveniently close to Berlin’s lively downtown area.
What’s Included
The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.
Review Our Policies-
Tuition
Up to 15 semester credits
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Courses
Wide variety of courses available; taught in English and German
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Housing
Homestay. Optional student apartment (supplemental fee)
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Meals
Homestay students receive breakfast and dinner daily.
Students in apartments receive a meal allowance.
All students receive a Mensa card which gives access to subsidized meals at Berlin-wide university cafeterias. -
Transportation
All students receive a travel pass for Berlin
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Excursions & Day Trips
Day trips to Potsdam and Erfurt (Fall only), one overnight trip in Poland, and a week-long excursion to destinations in Europe (like Dresden/Prague, or Cologne/Utrecht, tba shortly before the program starts). And trips in and around Berlin such as the former Nazi concentration camp Sachsenhausen.
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Cultural & Social Activities
A wide range of AIFS-organized cultural activities and social events to enrich your experience; all students receive a Museum Pass for the State Museums Berlin covering their entire stay. Volunteer Options are available
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On-Site Program Director
to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program
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Health & Safety
24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance, on-site wellness checks by mental health counselor
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Personal/Professional Development
Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network -
Green Initiative
Additional Options & Opportunities
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AIFS Flight Package
Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways
Airport transfers to and from campus
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Optional Excursions
Warsaw (3 days)
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Housing Supplement
Student apartment in residential neighborhood. Includes a meal stipend for lunches.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
BERLIN
Sierra, an AIFS Study Abroad Alumni Ambassador from Chatham University, took over our official AIFS Instagram story the other day! Check out the recap of what she shared about her study abroad in Berlin, Germany during the Spring 2018 semester.
Living Abroad
Housing
Homestay
Living with a homestay family is the best way to immerse yourself in the language and culture of Berlin and many students who choose this option consider it to be the most rewarding aspect of their time abroad. Homestays will be located in different parts of the city, and students should expect to travel on public transport to get to campus and downtown. Some homestays are families with kids, others are singles or couples.
- Single room
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Shared bathroom
- Access to kitchen
- Bed linens and towels provided
- Laundry
Optional Student Apartment (Supplemental Fee – $845)
Apartments are located in a residential neighborhood and students should expect to travel on public transport to get to campus and downtown. Kitchens are fully-functioning, so students can prepare meals at home, the rooms feature a double or queen-size bed, desk and chair, wardrobe and some have a balcony access.
- Single room
- Shared kitchen and bathroom
- Bed linens provided
- Laundry facilities on-site
Meals
- Homestay students receive breakfast and dinner daily.
- Students in apartments receive a meal allowance.
- All students receive a Mensa card which gives access to subsidized meals at Berlin-wide university cafeterias.
Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Berlin
City Facts
TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation makes it easy to get around Berlin, as it is well integrated, cheap, and efficient to use. Your daily commute will most likely be via the metro (U-Bahn), local train (S-Bahn), bus and/or on foot, so make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.
History
Berlin has been at the heart not just of European politics and culture but also world affairs for several centuries. As a city reunified in 1990 it combines a tremendous variety of experiences from fine historical museum to cutting edge modernism, to a vibrant club culture and sprawling parks.
Transportation
Public transportation makes it easy to get around Berlin, as it is well integrated and efficient to use. Your daily commute will most likely be via the metro (U-Bahn), local train (S-Bahn), bus and/or on foot.
Students receive a travel pass for use on Berlin’s excellent public transport system.
Site Staff
AIFS in Berlin Director, Academic Year and Semester Programs
Guten Tag und Herzlich Willkommen. I would like to extend a warm welcome! Originally from Hamburg, I studied in Berlin and Potsdam and spent time abroad in England and Spain. Berlin has been my home for 20 years now. I love it and am sure you will too! Whatever your interest, Berlin offers a niche for everyone, from the clubber to the historian, from opera to street art. On your program you will glimpse historic German towns, sample local specialties and experience Berlin like a native. It will be my pleasure to help you during your time abroad.
The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.
Cultural Activities
In addition to excursions a cultural calendar of weekly activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of Berlin life. Typical activities, tours and visits may include:
- Berlin city tour
- Boat trip
- German cooking class
- Visit to the museum “Topography of Terror”
- Visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Museum Island in Berlin
- Walking tours with various themes: Queer Berlin, Black History Berlin, experience of a refugee coming to Berlin
- Explore Berlin and its cuisine with group dinners at a variety of restaurants
- Visit to the Reichstag, the German Parliament
- Concert visit
- The site of the former Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen
- The former airport Tempelhof, site of the Berlin Air Lift during the Cold War
- Experience a German soccer game
- Picnics and social events
Students also receive a Museum Pass which grants entrance to the collections of the State Museums Berlin.
You may be asked to pay a small supplementary fee for some events.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the local community, learn new skills and build your confidence. More information on volunteer opportunities in Berlin will be available to you on-site.
Important Dates & Deadlines
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Program is closed
Dates & Deadlines
Details
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Early Application Deadline*
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Application DeadlineMarch 18, 2024
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Deposit DeadlineApril 1, 2024
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Scholarship DeadlineApril 15, 2024
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Visa Deadline****
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Optional Departure Flight from US***August 24, 2024
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Program BeginsAugust 25, 2024
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Program EndsDecember 14, 2024
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Optional Return Flight to US***December 14, 2024
- *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
- **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.
Optional Flight Package
Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.
Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional flight package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the flight package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.
Depature City
Fee
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Atlanta$2,040
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Boston$2,040
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Buffalo$2,040
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Charlotte$2,000
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Chicago$2,120
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Cincinnati$2,080
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Columbus$2,120
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Dallas$2,080
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Denver$2,200
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Des Moines$2,120
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Detroit$1,980
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Houston$2,120
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Los Angeles$2,220
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Miami$2,020
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Minneapolis$2,000
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New York$1,820
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Newark$1,400
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Orlando$2,120
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Philadelphia$1,920
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Phoenix$2,100
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Pittsburgh$2,040
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Raleigh/Durham$2,120
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San Francisco$2,220
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Seattle$2,220
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St. Louis$2,120
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Washington/Dulles$2,040
- View more
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Ready to Study Abroad in Berlin?
For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com
Social identity & access
One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.
Learn more