27
As a world hub for tradition, historical past, and artwork within the coronary heart of Europe, it’s no marvel so many faculty college students dream of learning overseas in Germany. Get an inside take a look at a spring semester in Berlin as we meet up with Linus—a historical past main from Clark College who did a research overseas program with AIFS Overseas.
Uncover how Linus’s expertise with AIFS Overseas helped him discover Europe and enhance his German language fluency!
Selecting a Examine Overseas Program Vacation spot
Deciding the place to check overseas typically comes right down to a wide range of elements, together with private pursuits, educational necessities, and out there packages. Some college students like to decide on a program vacation spot that’s tied to their household heritage, as Linus did:
“I went to Berlin because it was a long-term objective of mine. Residing in Germany has been my dream since I used to be a child, significantly as a result of I grew up with a German mom, spoke the language at dwelling, and visited household when it was financially doable.”
As for who else he thinks would take pleasure in learning overseas in Berlin, Linus added:
“I like to recommend [this program to any] pupil who’s prepared to have interaction with the sophisticated and distinctive historical past of Berlin. College students additionally fascinated by artwork, meals, and different cultural phenomena would love Berlin.”
When to check overseas is one other necessary consideration that’s completely different for everyone. Your educational observe, extracurriculars (reminiscent of athletic obligations), and local weather preferences can all consider. Linus appreciated that his spring semester in Berlin allowed him to expertise town because it transitioned from winter into spring; plus, he had the possibility to journey all through Europe throughout the next summer time:
“I selected to check within the spring because it allowed me to expertise Berlin because it bought hotter. I additionally wished to discover extra of Europe in the summertime, and the spring semester allowed me to take action… It additionally let me see Berlin in full bloom, watching town awake from the winter.”
Lecturers Overseas
For Linus, the Freie Universität Berlin European Research (FU BEST) program was an excellent match. This system combines largely English-taught lessons with immersive cultural experiences throughout town. As a historical past main on a European historical past observe, he had no scarcity of related programs to select from, all of which transferred again to his dwelling college:
“I beloved my expertise in school, commuting each morning by way of public transportation.My German language class was intense, but enjoyable and versatile. My topic programs allowed me to earn credit, which transferred instantly again to my dwelling college, permitting me to remain on observe for commencement.”
Linus took three lessons in Berlin: Intensive German Language, Historical past of Germany: 1800 – Nineteen Nineties, and Historical past of German Movie. He significantly loved the immersive side of his programs, which took him and his classmates on subject journeys into town:
“In my language course, we did bi-weekly subject journeys on Wednesdays, making the category stand out. We visited museums, parks, and historic websites, and engaged with Berlin’s tradition. We additionally visited Freie Universität’s major campus in my historical past class, going over the wealthy and intertwined historical past the College has within the metropolis.”
By taking the German language course in Berlin, Linus noticed his German proficiency enhance considerably. And regardless of some small variations in how programs have been scheduled, he tailored simply:
“My language course was way more wealthy in content material than these I had taken within the U.S. Programs have been additionally taught in 2.5 – 3-hour classes, as soon as per week, versus shorter however extra frequent lessons again dwelling. General, it was straightforward to adapt to the FU BEST type of education, because it didn’t considerably differ from the tradition, expectations, and construction again dwelling.”
Language Studying
Many AIFS Overseas packages don’t have any overseas language necessities; as Linus explains, it’s straightforward to get round in Berlin with simply English:
“You didn’t have to know German earlier than making use of to FU BEST or going to Berlin. FU BEST’s program caters to English-speaking college students, as all programs (in addition to German language programs) are taught in English. My language course was intense, however I discovered a lot in such a brief time period. In Berlin, there’s a excessive degree of English proficiency, and a few folks even favor to talk English fairly than German (particularly worldwide residents).”
Housing
AIFS Overseas’s award-winning housing is included in all of our packages, so there’s no want to determine the place you’re going to remain throughout your program. Linus’s shared house in Berlin even got here with a view!
“I stayed in an AIFS house, which consisted of three bedrooms, one rest room, a kitchen, a lounge space, and a balcony. The house was very clear and got here with the necessities, like pans, plates, silverware, bedding, and many others. I beloved the balcony particularly, which had an insane view throughout all hours of the day. The house, situated in Charlottenburg, was very quiet and had households and different college students dwelling there.”
Making Mates Overseas
Learning overseas has a approach of fast-tracking friendships. There’s one thing about navigating a brand new place with friends that catalyzes bonds, a lot of which are inclined to final properly past the tip of this system:
“I made an excellent group of pals, a few of whom I nonetheless speak to ceaselessly. We did plenty of group journeys and travels and likewise hosted get-togethers or dinners at our flats.”
AIFS Overseas Occasions
A method AIFS Overseas makes it simpler to fulfill different college students throughout your program is by providing group excursions and social occasions. Along with assembly fellow college students, these occasions are a wonderful technique to be taught extra in regards to the native tradition from the on-site workers:
“Considered one of my favourite AIFS occasions I attended was a gaggle dinner in a Russian tea home. Nele, our Program Director, was very aware of the menu and made private suggestions whereas explaining the tradition behind the meals, drinks, and environment. Nele additionally allowed us to prepare our personal occasion, giving us the funds to have a ‘seashore volleyball’ day within the coronary heart of Berlin. We invited all AIFS members to come back to the seashore volleyball courts and performed for two hours with our group!”
Weekend Journeys
Along with attending AIFS Overseas journeys and excursions that take you round your host nation (and generally, past!), you’re welcome to journey throughout your free time. Linus found that flights to close by European international locations have been surprisingly inexpensive, making his weekend journeys from Berlin even simpler:
“Considered one of my favourite locations was Copenhagen, Denmark. We have been capable of finding low cost flights on to Copenhagen from Berlin and even bought a pupil low cost by Scandinavian Airways. We bought to discover town for 2 full days. It was so lovely, peaceable, and clear. Though town was fairly dear at occasions, it was at all times of the very best quality and hospitality.
One other wonderful weekend journey was to Prague, which was solely a 4.5-hour bus journey away. Town was extremely lovely, and its tradition was palpable.”
AIFS Overseas Help
AIFS Overseas gives all of the assets you must go overseas with confidence. We’ll enable you to apply to packages and put together for departure, and when you’re overseas, our trusted on-site workers will probably be there to help you. Hear Linus describe his expertise with the AIFS Overseas group—right here within the U.S. and in Berlin:
“Earlier than going overseas, my program advisor was very useful and responsive. She was reachable by way of e mail, telephone, or by the AIFS portal at virtually all hours of the day and bought again rapidly if not [right away].
Throughout my keep in Berlin, our program director was a lot enjoyable to hang around with! She shared her tales and experiences in Berlin and with AIFS, whereas additionally nonetheless interested in our private {and professional} lives. She additionally paid consideration to element, remembering small details and pursuits of ours, making conversations very pleasurable! I additionally discovered quite a bit about Berlin and Hamburg (the place she grew up), whereas sharing my very own experiences in Germany rising up.”
If you happen to’re getting ready to check overseas, take Linus’s phrase when he mentioned: “Don’t be afraid to achieve out to your program advisor for recommendation, assist, or concepts!”
Are you able to take the leap and research overseas like Linus did in Berlin? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students research overseas. Our packages characteristic tons of beneficial inclusions, which make planning a breeze. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have assist all through your total expertise overseas.
