Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Online
  • Germany
    • Berlin
Term
J-Term, Short Term, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Architecture Art History Arts Business Communications Cultural Studies Economics European Studies Global Studies History Humanities International Business International Relations Journalism Law Liberal Arts Literature Media Relations Museum Studies Music Performing Arts Philosophy Political Science Public Policy Social Sciences Sociology Sustainable Development +17

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
$1,290 USD
Price Details
Minimum costs include program fee and course tuition. In the on-site program, accommodation, excursions and insurance are optional. The on-site program fee includes the official FUBiS transcript, a guided tour through the Reichstag Building and the Federal Parliament, River Boat Tour through Downtown Berlin (in Summer only), Student ID, access to libraries and computing and printing facilities on campus, welcome and farewell buffet. The tuition fee includes, in addition to the class, the course-related field work and the course reading material. An overview of all costs can be found on our website.
What's Included
Classes
What's Not Included
Accommodation Activities Airfare Airport Transfers Meals SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance Visa
Aug 25, 2021
Aug 14, 2020

About Program

FUBiS is a summer and winter university program offered at renowned University of Excellence Freie Universität Berlin. Our goal is to provide a stimulating and rewarding experience - academically, culturally, and personally.

The FUBiS German language, culture classes and English-taught subject courses make use of the vast historic, cultural, and political resources Berlin offers. Field trips to museums, memorials, and political & cultural institutions are integral parts of the curriculum, as are their online equivalents.

FUBiS arranges appropriate off-campus accommodation for the duration of the on-site program as an optional service at the student's request. The on-site program also offers extracurricular activities such as weekend trips to other German cities and guided tours within Berlin.

Program dates 2022:
Term I: January 3 - January 26 (on-site and online)
Term II: June 4 - July 16 (on-site)
Term III: July 23 - August 20 (on-site)

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • On-site excursions and trips to various locations in Germany
  • Free digital lecture series on the FUBiS YouTube channel to get an impression of FUBiS courses
  • Free online and live event series Berlin Talks
  • Expert guest speakers and other online class advantages
  • Access to all online resources of the excellent Freie Universität Berlin libraries

Related Programs

Program Reviews

9 Rating
based on 9 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 55.56%
  • 7-8 rating 44.44%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Academics 8.6
  • Support 9.1
  • Fun 8.4
  • Housing 7.4
  • Safety 9.7
Showing 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
Default avatar
Colin
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Online German Philosophy

This course had only 5 participants but was very actively supported by every student and the Professor was highly experienced, academically most competent, encouraging and committed. The workload was heavier than expected and the twice weekly 4 hours sessions were a bit arduous at times and occasionally hard to work into a personal schedule ( e.g. 548pm on Fridays)
Since Go Overseas needs 500 words I could add that Berlin is a historically unique city with a very vibrant nightlife even though none of us actually went there this year to experience it for ourselves. There was a virtual museum tour in the first week with excellent audio clips which went some way to compensate

What would you improve about this program?
Drawing on the overall critique I would balance the timing slots and reading load to mvoid bottlenecks in students' programs.
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jae Geun
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Great memories through FUBiS

There are about 150 students in each FUBiS program. They are from various countries such as South Korea, Mexico, United States, Chile and so on. While hanging out with them, you would make wonderful memories. There are various lectures. You can select what you want. All professors and staffs are very kind. Therefore, you are able to adapt to the new environment easily. Berlin is versatile city. Music, Sports, Wars, Culture and so on. You can make various memories in here. I will give you an advice. Most people would feel shy at first. It does not mean that they do not like me. Therefore, if you are in the new program, do not be shy. If you break the wall, you would make a lot of things.

What was your funniest moment?
On the first week, FUBiS will prepare for a party at Karaoke. You can meet and make new friends at the party.
22 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Karla
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Making Berlin my home away from home

You start to explore Berlin since the very first time you have contact with the FUBiS team. They were there for every question since the very first day and I cannot be more grateful.
Have the opportunity to make Berlin your home for three weeks is amazing. FUBiS offer suggestions to make your experience unforgettable.
I think the most important is sharing this with people from different countries. Living in the same residence made everything easier. We at the end became a little family. Everyone shared a little bit of their culture, specially food. I won't forget the international dinners or the never ending parties.
Also we explored together Berlin and all the history and culture it has to offer. We visited together museums and historical places and FUBiS gave us a first approach to the city with a video bus tour and then a small trip to Postdam. Moments I won't forget.
The classes were very interesting, I took: More than just game - Football as a sociological, anthropological and philosophical subject. The professor gave us a bigger look about football beyond all the common knowledge we had before taking the course. We had different field trips that approached us to the essence of football, and, we had the opportunity to watch different movies about football and all the phenomenons the surround this sport.
It was easy to take classes as we explore a big city as Berlin is at the same time.
I would repeat this experience, no doubts.

What would you improve about this program?
I'd add more days to the winter semester and weekend trips
19 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Christina
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent Courses - Housing and Extras Expensive

Having participated in five other study abroad programs, I thought FUBiS did not have as much value for my money as other programs. Specifically, I think a lot of tuition fees are allocated to the student interns working in the office. However, these interns were not very involved in creating a fun social scene for the program. They planned a few movie nights and posted weekly "What's on in Berlin" bulletins, but they were far less involved than facilitators I've seen in other programs.

I stayed with a host family, which was fantastic. However, the regular student dorms were subpar. Six people per mini apartment, each with their own locked single room, but no common living room space: only a kitchen. The private apartment housing option was much nicer.

However, academics were spot on: excellent teachers, great resources, and interesting weekly field trips.

18 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Francesca
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

I took the European Studies class and it was great, we talked about different topics concerning the European Union and we also visited many places where we could see and talk with people involved. I really learned and enjoyed a lot in this class.

The program also has activities where you can bond with other students so you make friends really quick, they also take you on tours so you can discover more of the city.

What would you improve about this program?
I would make it last longer.
18 people found this review helpful.
Sophie
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Finding Myself in Berlin

This was such an incredible program! I participated in the FuBIS summer terms A and B in 2017. It was my first time away from home and from the moment I arrived at my apartment complex from the airport, there was a FuBIS advisor there to greet me, give me my room keys, and answer any of my questions. The advisor even accompanied all the students on public transportation to reach the Freie Universitat Campus the first few days. The students were from all different types of countries, and we all were interested in getting to know more about Berlin and Germany’s culture, and to get to know each other more. There was an excellent social atmosphere on campus, because all of us were excited and nervous to dive into Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene. We had an excellent support system with all the staff, as they helped us navigate the city, offering up the coolest spots for us to explore. I took a German language course and a history course on Nazi Germany, and my teachers were both incredibly proficient in their teaching topics, passionate about the subjects, and extremely helpful. It was such a unique, valuable experience to be able to learn about Germany’s dark past and how the country’s culture has been shaped by it, as well as learning modern German language and culture, at the same time as just being a young adult living in a modern city alongside other young Germans as well as many refugees. I learned more about the city than I would have just being a tourist. I also learned more about myself as I was pushed out of my comfort zone in a foreign country. As a result, I am now more confident in myself and more open to new experiences. I also recognize the value of cultural immersion in a country and learning it’s history to better understand the people, rather than just exploring on superficial terms. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone I knew. It was absolutely life-changing.

What would you improve about this program?
My housing situation could have been improved as the landlord of the apartment complex was a bit difficult to get into contact with.
18 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Simon
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience.

I stayed at Studentdorf Schlactensse in Dahlem district of Berlin. It is an hour-long commute to the FU campus, but the transportation is far better in Berlin than in NYC. The housing was fine, the rooms small, showers clean, kitchen large. The FU campus is beautiful, the Winter program staff were extremely friendly and likable. The Professor was German-born American raised, highly knowledgable and interesting. Class excursions were amazing- it was worth the trip just for those.
The Menso food is cheap and delicious, but leaves you feeling like you haven't eaten. The students were from every continent and brought a huge amount of knowledge to the class - it was worth coming just for that as well. Overall amazing experience,
Tschüss !

What would you improve about this program?
By having more group class, like a lecture to all the participants, or by having an activity that brings people into discussion about issuing being studied. Or by meeting real German in professional or academics fields to get a feel for the culture. Just suggestions.
21 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Guilherme
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent Experience

It was incredible! It was possible to learn a lot about the subject as also from other students who were from different countries. My professor was really good. She encouraged the students to participate and share backgrounds which was important to my learning. Therefore, we visited one prison and we could see the German reality about prisons. Also, we had an excellent support from staff's people. They were really nice and helpful.
I loved Berlin because it has good public transport (a little bit expansive, though) and all the city transpire history. Although my apartment was far from Berlin's downtown, it was close to the university.

What would you improve about this program?
In my opinion, although we had people from different countries, it would be better if there were more diversity. I really think that different backgrounds can improve more the classes and the process of learning.
20 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers