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
Program Description
Using Berlin as a case study, this English-taught program examines issues relevant to major cities today. Through comparative and interdisciplinary courses, you study topics such as cultural identity, multiculturalism, popular culture, and urban studies to better understand the development of the city and its culture.
Berlin will be your classroom. Imagine touring Berlin’s neighborhoods and exploring the city’s architecture as you learn about metropolitan development and urban planning, or attending and then discussing a local theater event as part of your pop culture class. Wherever possible, our courses take advantage of the city’s many historical, artistic, and cultural sites, and several courses include a hands-on, practical component.
In addition, your learning is enhanced by an extended program-related trip to destinations like Warsaw, Poland, or Paris, France, which provides a comparative context for your studies. On this trip, you tour neighborhoods, visit museums, attend lectures, and meet with local university professors to discuss the topics you’re learning about.
Dates
Academic Year: early September - mid May
Fall: early September - mid December
Spring: early February - mid May
Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
Stroll through the streets of Berlin, and you’ll see soaring modern buildings that incorporate cutting-edge sustainable technology. Around the next corner, you’ll find art galleries, cafés, and shops lining old cobblestone streets. As a city that has been built and rebuilt over the past century, Berlin remains a city of contrasts—and of innovation. Come and study abroad in Berlin, and experience the energy and excitement of this amazing metropolis.
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.