Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.75 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- 4 semesters of college-level German language or equivalent
- Enrolled in a German course within the year prior to the program start date
Program Description
Specially designed to improve your German language skills, this program draws upon Berlin’s rich culture and traditions to connect your coursework with the living history of the city. IES Abroad courses are taught in German by local faculty, and a variety of academic options are available at local universities.
You can also add international work experience to your résumé while earning credit by taking an academic internship seminar during the semester and staying on after the semester to work at your internship placement.
Berlin will be your classroom. Imagine learning about German politics and policy making in class and then taking a quick walk to visit the German Parliament. Or discussing multiculturalism in Berlin and then touring one of the city’s bustling Turkish neighborhoods. Wherever possible, our courses take advantage of the city’s many historical, artistic, and cultural sites, and several courses include course-related trips.
To enrich your academic experience, you can participate in field trips to destinations like Prague and Dresden, Hamburg and Lübeck, and Munich and Nuremberg.
Dates
Academic Year: early September - late June
Fall: early September - mid December
Spring: early March - late June
These dates are for students who only take IES Abroad courses. Students who also take courses at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin or complete an internship will have a later end date. Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
The minute you step off the plane in Berlin, you’ll feel its energy. It’s a place of new ideas, where sustainable technology and modern design are a way of life, and art galleries can be found on nearly every corner. But don’t forget, this dynamic city is also a center of modern European history—it has no equal for leaving its imprint on the political, social, and cultural history of the 20th century. We invite you to study in Berlin and to explore one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.