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, dive into the fascinating world of international
authors who live(d) and wrote/write in the German capital. Regardless of your background, Berlin promises thought-provoking discussions, exciting excursions, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.


APPLY NOW! FACULTY-LED APPLICATION

Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term Year Application Deadline
(or as space permits)		 Start Date/Check-in End Date/Check-out
Summer 2025 Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Monday, May 19, 2025 Sunday, June 8, 2025


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

Information Sheet

Open to Open to all Undergraduate and Graduate Students 
Language of Instruction English and German
Level of Study Undergraduate and Graduate
Credit Offered FAU credits
Program Primary Subject Linguistics, Language, and Culture

 

Program Course Offerings:

  • LIT 2100: Introduction to World Literature (3 credits) - required course for undergrad students if not already completed
    • This is a general education course. Study abroad program participants are required to take this course but if they have already completed LIT 2100, they will enroll in GEW 4957 instead. This course focuses on perennial aspects of human experience through the comparative study of world literature. 
  • GER 2953: German Language and Culture (4 credits) - required course
    • For students with little or no prior knowledge of German, an intro German course emphasizing communicative Competence in German, while developing an understanding of contemporary German culture.
  • GEW 4957: German Literature Study Abroad (3 credits)
    • For students who have already taken LIT 2100 or graduate students, they can take this German literature-in-translation credit to learn more about the
      vibrant literary tapestry of Berlin literature through a deeper exploration of its history, society, and authors.

Course Eligibility & Requirements:

  • Students participating on the program must enroll in both required course (or GEW 4957 instead of LIT 2100) offerings for a total of 7 credits to participate. 
  • Students will register via their FAU student account and pay FAU tuition for the credits. Education Abroad will provide an update once course registration opens for the program.
  • Program course credit can apply towards students FAU summer credit requirement.

Program Eligibility & Requirement

  • Must have a 2.5 overall GPA for undergraduate students and 3.0 overall GPA for graduate students. 
  • Must be in good academic standing 
  • Must be eligible to take FAU courses during the study abroad program term
  • See Policies & Procedures page for more information

 

Program Faculty Leader
FAU faculty who will be abroad with the group and teach the course offerings.

Education Abroad Contact: Madison McShane
Contact for application and program fee information. 

(Primary Leader) Dr. Dorothea Trotter, dtrotte2@fau.edu Director, Education Abroad

(Co-leader) Dr. Evelyn Trotter, etrotter@fau.edu

Phone: 561-297-1208, Email: mmcshane@fau.edu 

 

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

Students will stay in a centrally located hotel in studios with 2 single beds and private bathroom; free internet access, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, linen available, beds made on arrival, weekly cleaning, fitness area, laundry facilities (usage at extra cost to student).

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Program Cost and Funding

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information 

 

Program Cost

$3,800.00 + tuition for the required program summer course(s). FAU in-state or out-of-state rates apply. 

Program fee payment deadlines: 
1ST PAYMENT:       $500 due 30 days from application acceptance or by February 7, 2025 (whichever comes first)
2ND PAYMENT:      $1,650 due by February 27, 2025 
3RD PAYMENT:      $1,650 final balance due by March 20, 2025

Program fees cannot be deferred. Plan accordingly. Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email closer to the deadlines. 

Program Fee Includes:

  • Pre-departure and on-site orientation
  • Accommodations from check-in through check-out date
  • Local public transportation passes for your stay in Berlin (zones AB and zone C additionally for the Potsdam excursion)
  • Group welcome dinner in Berlin
  • Guided walking tour of Berlin to learn how the city has developed over time. While seeing sites such as the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie, you will learn about the city’s transition during World War II, the Cold War, until the Reunification in 1990.
  • Guided tour of the German Parliament (Bundestag). During a tour, you will learn about the architecture of the building and the political system of Germany. The Reichstag building is the center of Germany’s political life and hosts the Bundestag, the supreme democratic structure within the government.
  • Excursion to Potsdam with entry into a palace
  • 3-day Berlin Museum Pass 
  • Cultural visits
  • International medical insurance
  • And more!

Activities and excursions are subject to change by faculty leader or program provider/vendor if needed. Replacement activity or excursion would be provided.

Program Fee Does Not Include :

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


Travel Documentation, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Passport and Travel Documentation

  • A valid passport is required for all international travel. 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.
  • Review up-to-date details HERE. Routine processing times can take 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications in 2-3 weeks. Processing times does not include the time it takes for shipping. 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.
  • 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.
  • Non-U.S. Citizens may need additional travel documentation. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should research the study abroad program destination and your home country to determine if a visa or additional travel documentation is required.

International Health 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. The 2025 Coverage plan will be available in January 2025. Participants can review the current 2024 plan HERE for reference.

Health and Safety Resources to Explore Prior to Traveling Abroad

Pre-deparature Orientation and Meetings

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 leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.