You can study on the Maryland-in-Berlin program for the fall semester. Students who would like to study abroad for the full year can participate on the Maryland-in-Berlin program for the fall and then remain at FU-BEST for the spring semester. The fall semester extends from late August to mid-December.
2. Do I need to be able to speak German in order to go to Berlin?
No! There is no German pre-requisite for this program. You will take German while you are in Berlin, but you can enroll in the beginner level. Additionally, English is widely spoken throughout Germany, especially in Berlin. After learning a few key phrases you will be able to get by without a problem!
While you are in Berlin, you will take a capstone course (GERM389G) with the Resident Director that focuses on cross-cultural understanding between Germany and the United States.
You will also enroll in 12 credits through the FU-BEST program. • Nine of your FU-BEST courses are pre-determined o 6 credits of German language o GERM439G, a course taught by the Maryland Resident Director that is open to all students on the FU-BEST program. • In addition, you have the choice to take one or two electives (taught in English). Electives have been pre-approved to count towards the following departments at Maryland: GVPT, CMLT, ARTH, ARCH and GERM.
4. Will I have a chance to explore Berlin while I’m there?
Yes! In fact, your schedule will be arranged so that you do not have to attend lectures on Fridays. Instead, the program organizes monthly day-trips and excursions around Berlin on Friday afternoons. During the semester, you will visit locations such as the Bundestag (Congress), the headquarters of the former East German secret police, a concentration camp and Potsdam. The program also arranges a cultural program. You are able to attend up to 4 cultural activities during the semester. Offerings include opera tickets, concert tickets, soccer games and much more! All excursions and cultural outings are included in your program fee.
While you are in Berlin, you will be taking classes with other American students from across the United States! The only course that is limited to Maryland students is the Resident Director’s capstone course, so you will have ample opportunity to meet other FU-BEST participants from many other U.S. institutions.
Yes! There are a number of opportunities for students to interact with German and other international students in Berlin. You can elect to participate in the Language Partners program, where you will be matched with a German student who will help you with your German in exchange for helping them with their English. You are also given access to join intramural sports teams or the International Club at the university. In addition, the FU-BEST staff arranges weekly social events in Berlin that are always attended by local students as well as FU-BEST participants.
7. Does the program organize any longer excursions?
Yes, the program arranges one week-long excursion in October. During the Fall 2008 semester, you will be traveling to Munich and Vienna. All expenses are included in the program fee.
The German department sends a faculty member to Berlin every fall semester, so you will benefit from having a Resident Director on site. The Resident Director teaches two courses and also organizes occasional Maryland-specific events. He or she will also serve as your emergency contact and your academic advisor during the program.
You will have the option to either live in a homestay or in a private studio apartment during your time in Berlin. All housing chosen by the program is located very near public transportation, so you can commute easily to the FU-BEST campus. Berlin is a very large city, so students do not live on a campus. Rather, you will live right in Berlin, so that you can take advantage of everything that the city has to offer!
If you choose a homestay, you will be given a private room in a local house or apartment. You may live with a family, with a couple or with a single person. In all homestays, you will have full access to the shared portions of the home and will be provided with two full meals a day. Past students have really appreciated the local expertise that their homestay families provided during their semester in Berlin. Families have taken students to soccer games, to local attractions and even away for the weekend! You will also, of course, have plenty of opportunity to practice your German outside of class when living in a German home.
If you would prefer not to live in a homestay, you can choose to live in one of FU-BEST’s beautiful private studio apartments. The FU-BEST apartments are all located in one apartment building, approximately 30 minutes from campus. Apartments are fully furnished with all basic utilities included, although phone lines and internet are not available unless you choose to arrange for its installation yourself.
12. Is the cost of my housing included in the program fee?
Yes, all of your housing is included in your program fee. Homestay students also have two meals per day included in the fee. Students in apartments should budget for food as an additional expense.
The program fee covers nearly all of your expenses for your time abroad: tuition, fees, housing, meals (for homestay students), course materials, monthly transportation pass and all excursions and outings. You will be expected to pay for your personal expenses and your airfare to and from Berlin.
14. Do I pay tuition for the semester when I’m abroad?
You do not pay regular tuition while a student on the Berlin program. Instead, you are charged the program fee as published in program materials. This fee is charged directly to your student account at Maryland, so you can pay your bill in the same way that you normally pay for tuition.
15. Can I use financial aid to fund my time in Berlin?
Yes! You can use all of your federal, state and university aid for the Berlin program. You can also use TERP payment plan and tuition remission. Your financial aid paperwork will be processed automatically by the Study Abroad Office.
