Activities and Opportunities
Student Life
Students are met upon arrival and receive one-week of orientation. Students are placed with English speaking families who live in the west central or southwest areas of Berlin. Morning and evening meals are eaten with the family. Berlin offers an unimaginably large number of cultural and athletic opportunities, and students frequently participate in host family or neighborhood activities. Students with a special interest in history or the arts find Berlin and the surrounding area the ideal place to deepen their understanding of European life.
Alumni Feedback
"Best choice I have made in my life, no doubt. Enriched my understanding of the world, to put it very simply. Cultural exchange of art, architecture, music, history, and pretty much anything you know from home or elsewhere, it has a counterpart in Berlin. In addition to all this, just as our own homes have unique things to offer, so does Berlin. The only problem is, you might not want to come back..."
Jack McKee, Brookdale Community College (Fall 2007)
"I entered this program with a variety of X-factors. I wasn't a student at Nazareth College. I was already in Europe for a few months before the program commenced, and had lived in Berlin for the first ten years of my life. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I had googled for 'studying in Berlin', and this is the first program that came up, so I went with it!
Having already known the city as a child, I was going into last fall with a combination of reassurance and uncertainty. While I am fluent in the language, I have lived in a tiny Midwestern town for the past decade, and it has left its marks.
I was first off appreciative that there was such an emphasis on getting to know the city. This was accomplished through class field trips, course-related outings and a strong emphasis on 'getting out there' on one's own. This is also how I got to see more of Berlin's surrounding area; not necessarily something I would have done on my own.
The classes of SFB were overall some of the more interesting ones I've had. The professors were knowledgeable in their areas, and the fact that each of them had lived their subjects in various ways (German music, business in the EU, history) made them more credible. The three-hour class times were a bit wearying at first, but I got used to it by the end.
One of the best and most challenging opportunities I had through SFB was my internship at the German State Opera. I'm a voice major, but had been thinking about pursuing other things after graduation this year. The internship not only enabled me to get an inside perspective on the field, but also reaffirmed that this is something I would like to do with my life. It was quite a gift.
One thing I do want to mention, though, is that it is a bit more difficult for people with minimal German skills to find their way in a professional situation. A lot of the friends I made highlighted this fact, though saying that it wouldn't have changed their decision to come. I guess what I'm trying to say is...don't expect your time in Berlin to reflect a similar program in an English-speaking country. Which doesn't mean that you shouldn't try it!
I'll just say one more thing: the experiences I've had with people, initially strangers, were some of the most rewarding ones of my life. While I can't guarantee that all groups will look the same, my advice would be to just go for it, if there is any question. You never know what's going to happen, and even if it doesn't live up to your expectations, you can still gain a bunch from it. In my case, it was better."
Sara Thogersen, Goshen College (Fall, 2007)
"Studienforum Berlin is one of the best study abroad programs one can experience. There are a few reasons why this program is so much better than the other study abroad programs out there:
-The program includes trips to different cities in Germany and even different countries.
- One has a chance to experience living with an English-speaking German family, which helps to get a feel of German family's life. The families are great and really make one feel as a family member. It's a great way of making new connections that will last a lifetime.
- The program directors and coordinators make you feel like a family member. I love you all!
- It is so easy to commute in Berlin due to great public transportation.
- Berlin is a beautiful city one has to see. It's hard to describe it in just few words. Simply - full of history, interesting people, museums, stores and great nightlife.
- All the interesting people I have met while studying abroad, whom I can visit if I want to go back.
- The classes are small permitting a one-on-one interaction with the professors, which really makes a difference.
I had a great experience during my internship, and some of the students even got offered positions after they are done with their studies!
Julia, our graduate student coordinator really did go out of her way to make our stay the best ever by taking us to the most interesting and worthwhile places that there are. Thank you again Julia!"
Ewelina Klusek, Rowan University (Fall 2006)
"This program is perfect, even for those who are not yet German speakers. Students get a vast amount of personal attention from the professors, peer mentors, and the heads of the program. They hold the program together and will do pretty much anything within reason to make your study abroad experience fantastic. Berlin is a wonderful city for people who want a cosmopolitan feel but really enjoy beautiful outdoors areas and a less hectic atmosphere than some of the other large European cities."
Clare Henrie, Nazareth College (Fall 2005)
