Meet 3 College Students Who Studied Abroad in Berlin, Germany

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Germany is known for its influential history, wide-reaching business and tech industries, and innovative art scene, including everything from avant-garde fashion to classical painting. AIFS Abroad offers multiple study abroad programs in Germany’s capital city of Berlin, during the summer, spring semester, fall semester, and January Term. A study abroad program in Berlin offers excellent opportunities to advance your degree while exploring German culture and traveling throughout Europe. Want to learn more about what it’s really like to study abroad in Germany? 

Hear from three college students who did a study abroad program in Germany with AIFS Abroad!

Kelly: Summer in Berlin

Kelly, a political science major from Santa Clara University, studied abroad in Berlin during the summer as a rising senior. Below, Kelly describes what the city is like: 

“Historical sites are mixed in with modern architecture, graffiti, and social scenes to create an awesome cityscape. I haven’t been to another place like it. Also, the people in Berlin are very welcoming of all backgrounds and lifestyles. It’s so lively and fun here. Good vibes!” 

Many cities in Europe are known for their superb public transportation systems, and Berlin is no exception. As someone with little experience using public transportation, Kelly explains that Berlin’s system was nonetheless easy to figure out (especially with a little help from AIFS Abroad!): 

“Most people in Berlin use public transportation to get around… The U-Bahn is Berlin’s underground subway line. It’s very easy to navigate and very reliable! … Public transportation in Berlin is extremely simple to use. I was pretty nervous about it coming from a suburb that doesn’t really have public transportation, but AIFS did teach us how to use it during our orientation. Once you figure out which stops you’re supposed to be getting off at, it is so easy I don’t even really think about it anymore… It’s also really safe… I love the public transportation here and a lot of my peers do too.” 

During her summer study abroad session in Berlin, Kelly took one class, Nazi Germany: Rise and Fall. She describes her academic experience at Humboldt University in more detail below: 

“It’s so interesting to learn about this topic from a German perspective. My professor at Humboldt University is very knowledgeable and makes the class interactive instead of just lecturing for three hours.” 

Below, Kelly explains that her AIFS Abroad housing in Berlin made it easy to spend time with other people in her program: 

“I share an apartment with two other girls, but we each get our own bedroom. Everyone else in the program lives in the same complex, so I can visit my friends almost any time!” 

Braxton: Spring Semester in Berlin 

Did you know that many underclassmen can study abroad? Braxton from Western Kentucky University is proof! He was a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in international business and business finance when he studied abroad in Berlin during spring semester. As he explains, a study abroad program in Germany was a perfect fit for him, since he could take European business classes and learn more about the German automotive industry: 

“I specifically chose Germany because I am seeking employment in the automotive industry, and Germany is home to many of the huge manufacturers that we all know of. I just wanted to [learn about] how European business works in Germany… I am taking all courses in correlation with my international business degree, and those are European politics and European business classes.” 

Not only is Berlin an awesome city to pursue a wide range of studies, but it’s also the perfect launching point to visit other German cities and European countries, which Braxton discusses below: 

“Regional travel from Berlin is super cheap. There’s actually a 50-euro ticket that allows you to travel within the country for a whole month. So, if you’re going to do some traveling, I highly suggest knocking all the cities out in a month so that you don’t have to spend any extra money. A lot of these places in Europe have super cheap travel. I believe there’s a round trip to London that’s anywhere from 50 to 100 euros. And then we’re actually going to Greece soon, and that is going to be about 200 euros round-trip. So, get your traveling done, definitely go see everything—you’re already here, so you might as well take advantage of it.” 

Want to know what Germans are really like? Hear Braxton explain his experience meeting and talking with the German people: 

 “Everybody that I’ve met here has been absolutely great. Most of the people here actually speak English, there’s a lot of culture here, and you’re going to see all kinds of people… if you actually have a conversation with people, they’re the nicest people you’ll ever meet.” 

Sadie: Fall Semester in Berlin 

Meet AIFS Abroad alum Sadie, an international business major and foreign languages minor from Champlain College who studied abroad in Berlin during the fall semester. 

For many students, finding LGBTQ+ friendly cities is very important. As Sadie explains, Berlin is accepting of all lifestyles: 

“Berlin is fantastic, Nele, [my Program Director in Berlin], texted me about a new bookshop that opened up that’s selling only female authors and authors who identify as queer, just to give them more of a platform—that gives you any idea of what this city’s like. There’s pride everywhere, and it’s like everyone can be who they want to be; it just feels really accepting to every type of person on the street.” 

Every AIFS Abroad program destination has awesome on-site staff who are there to support you. Hear Sadie describe her experience with Nele and Flora in Berlin: 

“When I was there, Nele [was my Program Director] and Flora was her assistant. Immediately, I knew that she was awesome. Nele is the best. I actually heard about her before I even got there. She’s super communicative, and one of them, Flora or Nele, was there at the cafeteria of the university every Monday to help us. So, I was always able to see them. Nele would organize events for us and shoot us a text if something cool was happening; we were all in a WhatsApp group together. I loved traveling with her on the AIFS excursions. She was like our Auntie Nele over there.” 

AIFS Abroad programs include trips and excursions that take you around your host country to learn more about its history and culture. Plus, as Sadie says, they’re a great opportunity to connect with other students in the program: 

“The excursions were great, and since they’re part of what you pay for, I went on all of them. We went to Potsdam, which is just half an hour away by train, and that’s where Nele [used to be] a tour guide, so we got her special tour for that. But I think my favorite one was earlier in the semester when it was still warm, and we went to the northern part of Germany to a town called Prora. It’s right on the beach and it’s fantastic. We all stayed in a hostel, had a barbecue dinner outside, swam, went and watched the sunrise, and had a morning dip. That was when we became close friends with everyone else in the program… It was just fantastic, and I still dream about going there.” 

Discover all Germany has to offer—study abroad in Berlin with AIFS Abroad like these college students did! 

AIFS Abroad offers a wide range of study abroad programs in Germany, each tailored to meet specific academic and personal preferences. Whether you’re interested in Berlin’s rich history, international business, or you want to immerse yourself in the city’s famous art scene, there’s a program in Germany for you! Study abroad in Berlin with AIFS Abroad and take advantage of our valuable program inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, trips and excursions, social and cultural activities, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, and the support of our trusted on-site staff.