berlin, germany

Berlin: Culture and Society

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Program Description

Experience the pulse of Europe in the vibrant heart of Berlin while fulfilling academic credit. From its rich history and iconic landmarks to its thriving arts scene and dynamic nightlife, Berlin offers an unforgettable blend of old and new. While exploring the creative scene of Berlin, learning its history,  and mastering the language, delve into the fascinating world of international authors who live(d) and wrote/write in the German capital. Whether you're a literature enthusiast, language learner, or knowledge seeker, Berlin promises thought-provoking discussions, exciting excursions, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. 

The Introduction to World Literature course is a General Education (IFP) course. It is a variable topics course focusing on perennial aspects of human experience through the comparative study of world literature. The focus will be on the themes of "home" and "abroad" through the works of authors who have made Berlin their home and other writers in exile/abroad. There will be flexibility for cross listing this course to accommodate the needs of the individual student. 

German Language & Culture offers students with little to no prior knowledge of German an introductory German course emphasizing communication competence in German while developing an understanding of contemporary German culture.

Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term Year Application Deadline
(or as space permits)
Start Date/Check-in End Date/Check-out
Summer 2024 February 7, 2024 May 17, 2024 June 12, 2024


Program fee payment deadline: See details below in program cost section. Program fees cannot be deferred. Plan accordingly. 

Information Sheet

Open to All academic disciplines
Language of Instruction English
Level of Study Undergraduate and Graduate
Credit Offered FAU credits
Program Primary Subject Languages, Linguistics, and Comparative Learning
Sponsoring College Arts & Letters

 

Program Course Offerings:

  • LIT 2100 Introduction to World Literature (3 credits) *required 
    • This is an approved IFP (general education) course
  • GER 2952 German Language and Culture Study (4 credits) *required
  • GEW 4957 German Literature Study Abroad (3 credits) - optional course if you have alreday taken LIT 2100 and would like another literature course. 

Course Eligibility & Requirements:

Students participating in the program are required to take the LIT 2100 and GER 2952 offerings listed for a total of 7 credits. If a student has already taken LIT 2100, they may be permitted to take GER 4957 instead. 

Program Eligibility & Requirements

  • Must have a 2.5 overall GPA for undergraduate students at the time of application
  • Must be in good academic standing at the time of application
  • Must be eligible to take FAU courses during the study abroad program term
  • See Policies & Procedures page for more information

 

On-site Program Faculty Leaders: 
Department of Languages, Linguistics, and Comparative Literature

Education Abroad Advisor: 

Primary Program Leader: Dr. Dorothea Trotter, Instructor 
Phone number: 561-297-3830
Email: dtrotte2@fau.edu

Dr. Evelyn Trotter, etrotter@fau.edu

Alex Baker, Coordinator
Phone number: 561-297-1039
Email: bakera@fau.edu 

 

Travel Documentation

Important notice! Passport processing times have changed. Review up-to-date details HERE.

Routine processing times can take 10-13 weeks, and expedited applications in 7-9 weeks. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time. 

A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you are traveling anywhere abroad, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the Travel.State.Gov website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit U.S. Embassy.gov.

Location

Berlin, the city and capital of Germany, is renowned for its exceptional landmarks, cultural scene and unique lifestyle. Berlin offers a view of what historical Germany used to look like mixed with new, exciting architecture. 

Housing

Single room with private bathroom for all participants. Shared, fulled equipped kitchen available. 

left
 bigben                      london

 

Program Cost and Funding

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information 

  • Students participating on FAU Faculty-led Programs may use eligible financial aid
  • Program participants may be eligible to apply for the FAU Education Abroad Scholarship
  • See additional scholarship and funding information here.

 

Program Cost

$ 3,994.00 + tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)

Program fee payment deadlines: 
1ST PAYMENT:       $2,000.00 Due Tuesday, February 13, 2024
2ND PAYMENT:      $1,994.00 Due Sunday, February 25, 2024

Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email prior to deadlines. 

Program Fee Includes:

  • Accommodations for programs dates in Berlin
  • Metro pass for local public transportation
  • 2 group meals
  • Walking tours including tour of Berlin and German Parliament
  • 3 day Berlin Museum Pass
  • Theatre tickets
  • International Medical Insurance

Program Fee Does Not Include :

  • $200 administrative fee due at time of application
  • International flight
  • Tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
  • Personal spending money including most meals

Health, Safety and Travel Documentation

All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program. 

1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips. 
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leaders. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview. 

International Health and Travel Insurance

All FAU students participating on an FAU Faculty-led Program will be registered in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. This is included in the program cost.

Resources

  1. Reduced risk of denied entry if a country requires vaccination for entry
  2. Reduced risk of having to get vaccinated abroad if it becomes mandatory in the country of study
  3. Reduced risk of denied acceptance to one of our foreign universities
  4. Reduced risk of denied acceptance into campus housing or host accommodations abroad
  5. Reduced risk of spreading COVID-19 and its variants to other parts of the world, including the communities where we have programs
  6. Reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 while abroad, which could lead to missed classes and excursions, mandatory quarantine or isolation, and other disruptions to the program
  7. Increases student access to local events, services, and travel while abroad
  8. Provides more flexibility in planning study abroad extracurricular activities, including excursions
  9. The WHO and U.S. CDC agree that the vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19
  10. Alongside our other prevention measures, the vaccine significantly increases protection for FAU faculty, staff, students, and international partners

Regarding increased access because of being vaccinated, please be aware that businesses and services may legally restrict access to exclude unvaccinated individuals. Local ordinances may allow the same. In such cases, FAU won’t be able to intervene or advocate on your behalf.