Featured Programs
Experiential Learning Opportunities
German Language & Cultural Studies
Berlin, Germany
About the Program
Spend a summer immersed in German language and culture in intriguing, influential Berlin. Designed for students at a high-beginning and above language level, you’ll delve into local culture while honing your spoken and written German. Attend class with other international students from around the globe as you refine and cultivate your language skills. Cultural visits and field trips in and around Berlin enhance the lessons learned in class, enhancing your understanding of German language and culture.
Requirements
Overview
Berlin
6/15/19 - 7/13/19
$5,195
4
Deadlines
Closed
4/1/19
Requirements
Eligibility
Students must have completed at least one semester of language at the college level.
High School Graduate
High Beginner And Above
2.5
Where You'll Study
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
World-renowned Humboldt Universität zu Berlin is the oldest of Berlin’s major universities. The university was founded in 1810 with the goal of providing a well-rounded, humanist educati...
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
World-renowned Humboldt Universität zu Berlin is the oldest of Berlin’s major universities. The university was founded in 1810 with the goal of providing a well-rounded, humanist education. Prince Heinrich of Prussia donated his former palace, built from 1748 to 1766, and this historic setting still serves as the university’s main building. Located in Berlin’s most famous street, Under den Linden, between Brandenburg Gate and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz, the university ended up in the Soviet sector of the divided city after World War II.
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin boasts 29 Nobel Prize winners, with prominent alumni that include Albert Einstein, Heinrich Heine, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels. The university’s enrollment of 32,000 includes more than 5,300 international students.
With a special emphasis on the humanities, the university offers a total of 190 courses of study, ranging from biophysics and hungarology to law and medicine. The Berlin-Adlershof scientific campus opens up unique opportunities for science majors to work with scientific research institutions, preparing them for careers with modern high-tech companies.
Many of Berlin’s theaters, cinemas, museums and galleries—including the five museums on the Berlin Museumsinsel (Museum Island)—are just a short walk from the Humboldt campus.
The international club, Orbis Humboldtianus, is the hub of many international activities at the university. Here you’ll meet fellow international and German students at “Country Evenings,” the “International Coffee Hour,” and other events.
Accreditation
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin is accredited by the German Ministry of Education as a degree-granting institution of higher learning.
Grading
All final course grades will be reported in the form of a number grade. The German grading system is based on a scale of 6, as compared to 100 in the U.S. system. Keep in mind that grading varies from subject to subject; for example, in mathematics, a student may receive a 1 for completing all the problems correctly, whereas in the humanities, a 2–2.9 on an essay is an acceptable grade.
Professors include evaluations of written tests and assignments as part of their final grade compilation. You may add or drop a course at the beginning of the program, but after this deadline, you must adhere to the course schedule selected. Interpretation of the German grading scale is as follows:
|
German Grade |
Grade Description |
U.S. Grade Equivalent |
|
1-1.5 |
Sehr Gut (Very Good) |
A |
|
1.6-2.5 |
Gut (Good) |
A |
|
2.6-3.5 |
Befriedigend (Satisfactory) |
B |
|
3.6-4.0 |
Ausreichend (Sufficient) |
C |
|
4.1-4.3 |
- |
D |
|
4-4.6 |
Nicht Ausreichend (Insufficient) |
F |
Grades in the 4.1 to 4.3 range may sometimes be considered passing in individual subjects.
Please note that this grading scale is recommended, but final credit and grade evaluation is ultimately determined by a student's home university.Classroom and Information
- Faculty from Humboldt Universität zu Berlin teach language and culture courses
- Courses are taught in English and German and are open to international students.
- Periodic exams, homework assignments, and final exams will be administered.
- Attendance in all classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor.
- Teaching styles in Germany may differ from those in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
- Class size ranges from 12 to 15 students for language courses and 12 and 40 students for culture courses.
- You will attend class with international students from the U.S., Europe, Canada, and around the world. You will not attend class with host national students, but you will have many opportunities to interact with them during cultural activities, excursions, and at the international club.
Amenities
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Student Lounge
Study Area
Travel Books & Resources
Printing Services
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Academic Advising
Language Learning Services
Cultural Engagement
4
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
You'll take 1 language course at your German language ability level, and 1 culture course. Language courses meet for 80 contact hours/3 credits, and culture courses meet for 20 contact hours/1 credit. You'll earn 4 credits (up to 100 contact hours) over the term.
Language courses meet daily, Monday-Friday; culture courses meet twice a week.
You’ll take a language placement test after you arrive in Berlin. Course registration will then be finalized on-site, based on the results of your language placement test. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home university pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Germany. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines
Language courses meet daily, Monday-Friday; culture courses meet twice a week.
You’ll take a language placement test after you arrive in Berlin. Course registration will then be finalized on-site, based on the results of your language placement test. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home university pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Germany. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines
High Beginner And Above Course Structure
Courses
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| German Culture: Summer In Berlin * | 200, 300 | De | 20 | 1 |
| Nanu, die Deutschen! | 300 | De | 20 | 1 |
| Zoom in on Berlin | 200, 300 | De | 20 | 1 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Level German A | 300 | De | 80 | 3 |
| Advanced Level German B | 300 | De | 80 | 3 |
| Intermediate Level German A and B | 200 | De | 80 | 3 |
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Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
|
June 15
|
Arrival/Program Begins
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing. |
|
June 16
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA Orientation will be held. |
|
June 17
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at Humboldt University on this day. |
|
July 12
|
Classes End
This is the last day of classes at Humboldt University. |
|
July 12
|
Final Exams
Final exams will be held. |
|
July 13
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. |
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.