Duke in Berlin
SEMESTER & YEARLONG PROGRAMS
Study a mix of subjects at German universities
Apply NowNo prior knowledge of German required
Duke in Berlin was founded at the Free University of West Berlin in 1988 before the fall of the Berlin Wall. All Duke in Berlin sessions—Fall, Spring, and Academic Year—are designed to accommodate all students, regardless of their prior study or knowledge of German. No prior knowledge of German is required to attend.
Since 1990 the fall semester has taken place at Humboldt University in former East Berlin while the spring-summer semester continues to be based at the Free University. Students attend Duke University courses taught by German faculty and by the program’s resident director. Students with sufficient German may take courses at the Berlin universities. Qualified engineering students may take courses at the Technical University in Berlin. The program helps students advance their language skills, deepens their understanding of German culture, and broadens their grasp of the social sciences, humanities, and technology in a German and European context.
The City
Berlin is the capital of Germany. One of the major metropolitan centers of the world, Berlin offers a wealth of opportunities for the student. The biggest city in the biggest country in Western Europe, Berlin boasts three opera houses, two symphonies, scores of theaters and music venues, and virtually innumerable museums. Berlin is also a city of learning with four universities and nearly 150,000 students. Student life is extraordinary, diverse, and diffuse. The possibilities waiting to be explored are unlimited.
The Universities
The program offers courses at three universities: the fall program is based at the Humboldt University in former East Berlin and spring-summer at the Free University in former West Berlin. Engineering courses may be taken at the Technical University in the spring. Humboldt was founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin. After World War II, it fell under Soviet administration in the divided city. Numerous students and faculty members left the east for the freedom of West Berlin, where they founded the Free University in 1948. The Free University is today regarded as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the world. It has a student body of 45,000. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the German government moved quickly to transform Humboldt University, which has again become a magnet for students and researchers. More than 30,000 students are now enrolled there. The Technical University traces its origin back to the late 18th century and is today the largest technical university of Germany with a very high percentage of foreign students. It has a student body of 28,000.
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: Berlin, Germany
Term: Fall, Spring, or Academic Year
Dates: August 21–December 18, 2019 (Fall); February 5–July 31, 2020 (Spring); January 3–July 31, 2020 (Spring Engineering/Beginner Track)
Application Deadline: March 1 (Fall and Academic Year); October 1 (Spring)
Academic Theme(s): German Language and Culture
Credit Type: Duke Credit or Hybrid Credit
Eligibility: Applicants must be in good academic standing with a B average. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Department of Germanic Languages & Literature
Housing: Host families
GEO Advisor: Alayne Wood
-
Students at the Berlin Wall
-
The Berlin Cathedral
-
Students at the Berlin Cathedral
-
Potsdamer Platz
-
Students at Reichstag
-
Duke in Berlin
ACADEMICS
German Major and Minor: Most students who participate in a Duke in Berlin semester program are eligible to pursue a German major or minor. The German major requires 10 courses in German at or above the 200-level. The German minor requires five courses at or above the 200-level. All courses offered through Duke in Berlin count toward the major and minor.
- FALL
- SPRING
- ENGINEERING
FALL
The fall program for students with beginning through advanced German offers a two-credit language and culture class taught in German (GERMAN 111, GERMAN 212A, or GERMAN 312AS). Additionally, students choose two courses from among an art history class, an economics class, or an environmental policy class. Instruction in these courses begins in English and switches gradually to German. Students earn a full semester of Duke University academic credit.
Prerequisites
Applicants must be in good academic standing with a B average. A letter of recommendation from a professor of German (if applicant has taken German) and a second recommendation from any faculty member, a transcript, and a statement of purpose are required.
Special note to students with no prior German: For those students applying to the Fall program without any prior German (or without any German courses at Duke), the required letters of recommendation may come from any instructors.
Courses & Credits
GERMAN 111A
Intensive First-Year German
2.0 credits
Students will be exposed to the fields of reading, writing, listening, and speaking and will be trained so that they can take full advantage of being in the target country. After a short period, students will be able to communicate with native German speakers on a basic level.
GERMAN 212A
Intensive Intermediate German
(CZ, FL) 2.0 credits
Intensive grammar review and practice of spoken and written German. The course covers the work of second-year college German. Taught by the resident director and program faculty.
GERMAN 312AS
Advanced Intensive German Language and Culture
(ALP, CCI, CZ, FL, W) 2.0 credits
Development of advanced proficiency with particular emphasis on speaking and writing. Analysis of literary and non-literary texts, excursions, museums, films, theater performances. Advanced grammar review, vocabulary building, oral presentation, written assignments. The course covers the work of third and/or fourth year college German. Taught by the Resident Director.
ARTHIST 296A / GERMAN 322A
Berlin: Architecture, Art, and the City, 1871 to the Present
(ALP, CCI, CZ) 1.0 credit
Development of urban Berlin, from the Gründerzeit (the Boom Years) of the 1870s to the present. Architecture of Imperial Berlin, the Weimar and Nazi periods, post-World War II and the reconstruction as a unified city, from late Historicism to Postmodernism. Taught by German faculty.
ECON 260A / GERMAN 321A
Economics of a United Europe
(CCI, SS) 1.0 credit
Implications of a common monetary policy, common welfare standards, unemployment, and migration in the European Union. Taught by a German economist.
POLSCI 295A / PUBPOL 201A / GERMAN 320A
Environmental Policy in Europe
(CCI, SS) 1.0 credit
Economic concepts and environmental policies with their application to selected environmental issues in Western and Eastern Europe, transboundary pollution problems, and the role of the European Community. Taught by a leading German expert.
Special Winter Course
Mid October - Mid February
Students who have completed two years of college-level German and plan to attend the full academic year, may enroll in a fifth course at Humboldt University or at the Technical University (T.U.B.) from mid-October to mid-February with a short Christmas break. They will earn transfer credit for this course and pay an additional fee for accommodations. For Humboldt courses, check www.hu-berlin.de. For T.U.B. courses check www.tu-berlin.de.
SPRING
The Spring semester offers students at all levels of German language (beginners to advanced) the opportunity to study in Berlin.
Spring students are required to take 4 courses but may take up to 6 courses, combining Duke courses with direct enrollment courses/transfer credit courses at the German universities. This is possible because of the extended length of the German university semester.
Students with no previous knowledge of German attend the Spring semester program and take intensive introductory language courses from January to March and follow those with language and culture courses at the intermediate level based at the Free University from April to July.
Those students who already have knowledge of German before starting the program take GERMAN 319AS and GERMAN 352AS and they choose another course from the Duke in Berlin program offerings. They must select a fourth course from the offerings of the Free University (FU) or the Technical University (TU) and may, in addition, take an elective fifth course at one of the two universities.
For Free University courses, check www.fu-berlin.de/.
For Technical University courses, check www.tu-berlin.de/.
Students enroll in four, five, or even six courses and earn a full semester of academic credit.
To secure transfer credits for the FU or TU courses (mid-April to July), Duke students will have to observe transfer credit policies.
Many courses at the FU or TU have also been pre-approved by Duke University and recorded in the GEO Approved Course Database. Courses listed in the database do not have to be re-approved by a departmental DUS.
Application Materials
The selection of students for the program is based on a transcript review, a letter of recommendation from a professor of German (if applicant has studied German), a second letter of recommendation from any faculty member, and a statement of purpose. Students with no previous German language instruction can provide recommendation letters from any two faculty members. A review of the student's application and consultation with the Academic Director and Resident Director will determine language course placement in Berlin.
Courses & Credits
GERMAN 111A
Introduction to the German Language
(FL) 1.0 credit
Students will be exposed to the fields of reading, writing, listening, and speaking and will be trained so that they can take full advantage of being in the target country. After a short period, students will be able to communicate with native German speakers on a basic level.
GERMAN 319AS
Advanced Intensive German
(CCI, CZ, FL) 1.0 credit
Advanced language work in comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Includes discussion of current events from various media. Prepares students for the German language exam required of all foreign students enrolling in German universities. Taught by program faculty from February until March or early April when the university administers the language exam.
GERMAN 352AS
Berlin in Literature and Culture
(ALP, CCI, FL) 1.0 credit
Looks at the works of modern German writers with special focus on Berlin and the political-cultural heritage of its divided years. Emphasis on the art and architecture of the city. Part 1 prepares participants for the excursion to classical Weimar and environs by reading relevant texts. Part II has a strong emphasis on theater productions in Berlin, corresponding literature and its “Zeitgeist”. Taught by the resident director, from February to mid-July.
GERMAN 354SA
Contemporary Art in Berlin
(ALP, CCI, FL) 1.0 credit
Overview of the main locations, events, and protagonists of the contemporary Berlin art scene. Examination of art in its omnipresence in the urban environment; includes explorations of street art, art in public spaces, museums, private collections, galleries, studios, and art academies. Taught only in the Duke-in-Berlin study abroad program. Instructor: TBA
ENGINEERING
Spring/Summer Engineering Track
Only one semester of college level German is required to participate in the Spring/Summer Engineering Track.
This special spring/summer track is designed to give students in all engineering majors (biomedical, civil and environmental, electrical, and mechanical) an opportunity to develop advanced proficiency in German through intensive language study in January through March and to take engineering courses in their major at the Technical University in Berlin (TU) from April through July.
STEM students may also be interested in researching options on the Duke in Berlin program. They should consult the German Department and/or GEO about this opportunity.
The January course is a 4-week, 1 credit course, entitled GERMAN 213A (CZ, FL) Intensive Intermediate German for Engineers. It is taught in Berlin by faculty from the Technical University. (Students with advanced language preparation are encouraged to join the January cohort and may take a level-appropriate tutorial that will acquaint them with engineering terminology.) Students live with German families, attend cultural outings, and participate in excursions to technical museums, power plants, automobile design and manufacturing sites, and environmental institutions.
Following this course, students will feed into the advanced language course (GERMAN 319AS Advanced Intensive German, see 'Spring' tab) that begins the regular Duke in Berlin spring semester program. This course, which runs until the beginning of the regular German university semester in mid-April, enables students to develop advanced proficiency in German. Engineering students who have had Intensive Intermediate German for Engineers, as well as the Advanced Intensive German course, will be well qualified to take up to two engineering courses in their field at the Technical University.
Courses at the Technical University run from mid-April until late July, so students who begin in January will have had three months of intensive language study plus total immersion in the German language and culture before beginning the content courses. Students who participate in the January course and continue on through July can, as a result of the extended semester, earn up to 6 course credits.
To secure transfer credits for the FU or TU courses (mid-April to July), Duke students will have to observe transfer credit policies.
Some courses at the TU have also been pre-approved by Duke University and recorded in the GEO Approved Course Database. Courses listed in the database do not have to be re-approved by a departmental DUS.
Students participating in the program would also be eligible for the International Honors Program in Engineering.
Activities
Cultural Events
During the fall and spring-summer programs, students are invited to attend a series of cultural events such as concerts, theaters, and operas at no additional charge. Usually the group attends up to six such events, including one or two operas per semester.
Excursions
One of the most popular aspects of Duke in Berlin is the series of excursions arranged each semester. These trips combine sightseeing and recreation with observations for program courses. In the fall, students travel to Dresden and Prague, with their rich architectural heritages and art museums, and discuss political and economic issues with government officials. In spring-summer, students travel to visit a selection of beautiful, historic locations, which may include Erfurt, various sites from the Classical Period in Weimar, the University of Jena, and also the Buchenwald concentration camp. They then have three days for individual sightseeing. Included at no extra cost on the excursions are transportation by bus or train, guided tours, concert or opera visits, accommodation, and a meal stipend to cover related expenses.
Extracurricular Activities
Access to a wide array of activities such as athletics, music, choir, orchestra, swimming, dance courses, basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc. is guaranteed to participating students at little or no extra cost. Also, students are invited to several social events such as receptions at universities or dinners as well as informal gatherings like “Stammtisch” to promote cultural understanding.
Language Partner Program
“Tandem,” a German language partner program, assists students in finding one or more people with whom they can meet and practice their conversational German at no additional cost. Students find that such activities have a positive and influential impact on their language acquisition skills and provide a venue for meeting and getting to know Germans.
NON-ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPS
Berlin is quickly becoming a commercial and cultural hub of central Europe, and young, dynamic individuals are in high demand. A number of non-academic internship opportunities are available for those students with greater German proficiency and an interest in augmenting their academic work with practical professional experience. With the permission of the program administration, some positions exist for students with limited German exposure, but in good academic standing.
Internships are primarily an option during the semester program from January through July. Early application and consultations are important to assist students in the process. Students interested in an internship will need to begin planning (translating and sending resumés, conducting phone interviews, etc.) before their departure.
These are non-academic internships. The program administration plays a strictly facilitative role.
In past semesters students have accepted positions with the following organizations:
American Academy in Berlin: The Academy provides a unique bridge between the US and Germany through the scholarship and creativity of distinguished transatlanticists. The Academy requires that interns work full-time for a minimum of three months.
Berlin's House of Representatives (Abgeordnetenhaus von Berlin):In the German Federal System, states retain significant political and administrative competencies. Berlin's House of Representatives serves as the State Parliament of Berlin, electing the mayor, overseeing the city's senate, and acting as the primary municipal lawmaker.
Deutsche Bank Group: Deutsche Bank is a leading international investment bank with a substantial private clients franchise. Since its founding in 1870, the bank has become a global financial force, employing nearly 75,000 employees in 75 countries.
Distributed Campus: Distributed Campus supports international students preparing to study abroad at the Freie Universität Berlin by offering a multimedia online portal. This internship is ideal for students studying in Berlin during the spring semester who will have the chance to experience the FU first hand.
German Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen): In the last two and a half decades, the German Greens have shed their status as a protest party and have entered the political mainstream. The Party politicized and popularized topics such as environmental conservation, sustainable development, and gender equality. Although the party is not currently a member of the ruling coalition, it remains confident that die Zukunft ist Grün.
German Historical Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum): Housed in the heart of Berlin, the Museum contains an exhaustive exhibition of German history from the 9th Century to the Present. Through its compelling display of historical documents and models, the Museum's curators hope to both “enlighten” and “communicate” with visitors as they wander through the 10,000 square meters of exhibition space.
German Institute for Economic Research (Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung):An independent, non-profit academic institution involved in economic research and policy advice. The DIW has an outstanding reputation amongst international economists and policy makers.
German Marshall Fund: A nonpartisan American public policy and grant-writing institution dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between the United States and Europe.
German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag): The German Bundestag stands at the centre of the country's political life and is its supreme democratic organ. Internships are available in the Bundestag administration as well as with individual parties or representatives (see below).
German Resistance Memorial Center (Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand): The German Resistance Memorial Center serves as both a site of remembrance and a center of historical research. The Center displays and documents the work of groups and individuals who took action against the National Socialist Dictatorship.
House of the Wannsee Conference (Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz): High-ranking civil servants of the National Socialist Dictatorship met at this villa in 1942 to organize and implement the “Final Solution” to the “Jewish Question.” The House now serves as a memorial for the victims of the Third Reich and an educational center for citizens.
Lufthansa Cargo: Lufthansa offers a range of internship opportunities to students at all stages of their studies. Lufthansa Cargo–one of the many corporate divisions that accepts interns–delivers nearly 2 million tons of freight and mail to over 500 destinations worldwide.
Siemens: With headquarters in Berlin and Munich, Siemens is one of the world's largest electrical engineering and electronics companies. Founded more than 150 years ago, the company specializes in the fields of Information and Communications, Automation and Control, Power, Transportation, Medical, and Lighting.
Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)): One of the two major Volksparteien, the SPD is Germany's oldest and (in terms of membership) largest political party. Though the party contains a diversity of political views, it is often classified as center-left. Although it lost control of the Chancellery in the 2005 election, it remains the junior partner in Germany's governing Grand Coalition.
State Parliament of Thuringia (Thüringer Landtag): The state parliament is the political center of Thuringia, which in turn is located in the geographical center of present day Germany.
Please do not feel limited by this list; internship opportunities exist in nearly every sector of Berlin's economy. We encourage you to explore alternatives, and we are always willing to assist in finding and arranging an appropriate internship.
For students interested in service learning, a number of volunteer opportunities are available with local non-profit and educational organizations. In past years, students have volunteered at a local Gymnasium, the Robert-Koch-Oberschule, to assist in English lessons and mentor students.
NOTE: Many of the internships listed above are unpaid and, thus, technically volunteer.
Housing and Meals
Students participating in the fall/winter and spring/summer programs live with families during their stay in Berlin. The homestay experience is frequently cited as the absolute highlight of students’ Berlin experience. Over the past twenty years, the Resident Director, Jochen Wohlfeil, has worked to carefully select families and place students such that the interests and needs of both are well-aligned.
In the application, students are asked to specify the degree to which they would like to be integrated into a host family. The Resident Director works with this information to find each student an accommodating living situation. If, for any reason, a student feels uncomfortable or finds that the match is not quite right, the director will work to facilitate communication, mediate, and, if necessary, re-locate the student.
Duke in Berlin students are encouraged to think of themselves not as tourists, but as residents. To improve both their cultural and linguistic fluency, students are asked to immerse themselves in city life. Host families are not only an instance of this immersion, they also help students to navigate and appreciate Berlin’s changing physical and human geography.
Students with further questions or concerns should contact the Resident Director, Professor Jochen Wohlfeil, who can provide more detail regarding the home stays or put students in contact with program alumni.
DATES
Note about the German Academic Calendar: The calendars for the two Duke in Berlin semesters are distinctly different due to the German academic calendar. Please note the start and end dates carefully, and make sure you are particularly aware of the length of the Spring semester when considering this program.
- FALL 2019
- SPRING 2020
FALL 2019
Fall 2019 Schedule
| Aug 21 | Arrival and Check-In at the Hotel Augusta* 6PM welcome dinner |
| Aug 22 | Orientation, all-day |
| Aug 23 | Orientation / Bicycle Tour / Reception at 6 PM / Transfer to Host Families |
| Aug 26 | Classes begin |
| Oct 3 | German Unity Day - Holiday |
| Oct 7-11 | Mid-terms |
| Oct 13-16 | Excursion |
| Oct 18-27 | Fall Break |
| Oct 28 | Classes Resume |
| Nov 27-Dec 1 | Thanksgiving Break |
| Dec 2 | Classes Resume |
| Dec 6-8 | Reading Period |
| Dec 9-12 | Finals Week |
| Dec 13 | Farewell Reception |
| Dec 18 | Last Day of Residence |
*Upon arrival to Berlin check-in to:
Hotel Augusta
Fasanenstrasse 22
10719 Berlin
Phone: 49 30 883 50 28
Fax: 49 30 882 47 79
Email: info@hotel-augusta.de
Website: http://www.hotel-augusta.de/hotel/
SPRING 2020
Spring 2020: Engineering Program / Erasmus for Beginners
| January 3 | Arrival Thursday, check in Hotel Augusta,* joint dinner 6 pm |
|---|---|
| January 4 | Friday Orientation – move into home stay |
| January 6 | German 213 instruction begins; ends Feb 2/Ger 111 Erasmus track beginners instruction begins; ends March 17 |
| January 6 | Component on 213, ,,Berlin Heute“ |
Spring 2020 Schedule
| February 5 | Arrival in Berlin, check in at Hotel Augusta.* Meet at 6 pm – program begins |
|---|---|
| February 6-7 | Orientation |
| February 7 | Reception – move into home stays |
| February 10 | Language Instruction German 319.1 / 319.2 begin; Engineers join 319 |
| February 10 | German Studies course - 352 begins; GER 354 – Contemporary Art (begin tbd) |
| March 20 | GER 319 / 111 end |
| March 22-25 | Excursion week: Thuringia |
| March 26-April 5 | Spring Break |
| April 6-10 | Registration for FU / TU courses–Orientation days for International Students tbc. |
| April 14 | Freie Universität / Technische Universität Semester direct enrollment begins GER 352 ctd. |
| April 10-13 | Easter Weekend class free |
| May 1 | Labour Day class free |
| May 21 | Ascension Day - holiday |
| June 1 | Pentecost – holiday |
| July 18 | FU / TU/ Duke classes end |
| July 31 | Last Day of Residence |
Dates subject to change. City excursions, art cluster, concerts, opera visits, lectures, and special events, etc. will be announced at the beginning and during the program.
FU/TU Exams are not likely to be scheduled until late July – when making travel arrangements, do not schedule return flight before July 31.
*Upon arrival to Berlin check-in to:
Hotel Augusta
Fasanenstrasse 22
10719 Berlin
Phone: 49 30 883 50 28
Fax: 49 30 882 47 79
Email: info@hotel-augusta.de
Website: www.hotel-augusta.de/en/
ESTIMATED COSTS
Fall 2019 or Spring 2020
Estimates are based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change. Spring Engineering/Erasmus Beginner program costs are in parenthesis.
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $27,940 ($34,820) | $27,940 ($34,820) |
| Program Fee | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $40 |
| Other Costs | ||
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $36,470 – $37,720 ($46,050) | $36,510 – $37,760 ($46,090) |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations with host family
- Breakfast
- International SOS coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
- Public transportation pass
What is not included?
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
- Airfare
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- Local transportation
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Internet usage
- Mobile phone
- Laundry
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this program. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need a visa. Please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa, including any required travel to a consulate or embassy.
If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Within 3 weeks of acceptance to the program, confirm your enrollment by submitting the non-refundable $1,000 deposit. Deposits are payable by check or Student Account E-Check. If you receive Duke financial aid, submit the Deposit Waiver Form in lieu of the deposit. Log in to MyGlobalEd for remittance instructions or waiver form.
NOTE: If you withdraw after committing to the program, there may be financial consequences.
Step 2: Complete all post-acceptance items listed on your MyGlobalEd application, including the Participation Agreement, Pre-Departure Orientation, International Travel Registry, and any program-specific forms.
Step 3: Semester invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. All financial arrangements involving Duke University must be completed prior to departure for the program.
Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving institutional need-based grant aid are eligible for aid for this program; work-study funds are converted to grants. Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
No visa is required of U.S. citizens to participate in this program. Non-U.S. citizens should pay special attention to the visa requirements for their specific citizenship by contacting the country embassy to find out if any visa restrictions are in effect.
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is optional. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student ID, endorsed by UNESCO. If purchased in the U.S., the card also carries with it a supplemental insurance policy, which can prove to be very helpful in the event of serious injury. You may purchase this card through www.myisic.com. Processing of the card takes between 4-15 days.
PROGRAM FACULTY & STAFF
In Berlin
The resident director, Jochen Wohlfeil, has been with the program since 1988. He is a native German and a German studies specialist who studied in the United States. He and his Berlin based staff assist participants in all academic and personal matters and place students in homestays.
At Duke
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: March 1 (Fall semester); October 1 (Spring semester)
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority will be given to juniors and seniors having an overall GPA of 3.0. Priority is also given to applicants who apply early.
Minimum GPA: The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for Duke students wishing to study away during the semester is 2.7 (3.0 for Pratt students) on a scale of 4.0.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, one page minimum, explaining why you would like to participate on this program
- Two academic letters of recommendation (one from German instructor)*
- Home university approval form (non-Duke students)
- Passport copy
*For those students applying to the Fall or Spring programs without any prior German (or without any German courses at Duke), the required letters of recommendation may come from any instructors.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
The best way to learn about our program is to hear what former Duke-in-Berlin participants have to say about it. Their stories give us a taste of the variety of cultural, academic, and social experiences that are open to students who participate in our programs.
Devyn Gortner (Trinity '16)
"One the biggest reasons I came to Duke for my undergraduate education was due to the wonderful reputation of the Duke in Berlin program. Berlin was where I found my niche—the people I met and the other students I shared the experience with became some of my greatest friends. However cliched it may sound, there is truly something for everyone in Berlin. The city has a pulse—an indescribable energy unlike anywhere else I have ever traveled. There is ALWAYS something to do, and every interest is accounted for (even if you don't like to drink, although the beer there is pretty wonderful). There is incredible art, history, music, nature, and food right at your fingertips. As someone who has never wanted to live in a city, I still would firmly support the notion that Berlin is for everyone.
Duke in Berlin changed my life in many ways; but, most importantly, it allowed me to step back from my life at Duke and back home in the States and see the bigger picture of where I was in life and where I want to go. If you're on the fence about going abroad, I urge you to do it. Discover for yourself what it means to step outside of your bubble. And if you're not sure if Berlin is the right place for you, all I can say is: Yes it is. Go. Go and take me back with you."
Eileen Lin (Trinity '16)
"I was part of the Duke in Berlin Fall semester program last year. It was one of the best decisions I made during my Duke career. Berlin is a vibrant city that has a rich culinary culture as well as a hipster art and music scene. My footsteps across the city accumulated moments of fond and precious memories, from Warschauer Straße to Prenzlauer Allee, from Zehlendorf to Stadt Mitte. I was most fascinated by the city's tangible history, given that we can still witness the transition between destruction and renovation. I loved it so much that I went back to Berlin for a summer museum research project. If you are thinking about doing the program, I sincerely recommend it!"
Liaowang (Zoey) Zou (Trinity '17)
"I did Duke in Berlin Spring program in my sophomore spring. Berlin is an amazing city. It is not like any other city in Germany. It's a blend of the old and the young, of politic and art, of profundity and vibrancy. I am so glad that I could spend 7 months in Berlin. Every bit of it was absolutely amazing. As a language beginner, I never expected myself to pick up German so fast. I stayed with a host family and had German bread and cheese for breakfast with the 7-year-old and 12-year-old "Gastgeschwister" (guest siblings) at home every morning. The program took us to numerous concerts, football games, and theater performances and even parliamentary session in German Bundestag. People in our program were really close as a group. At the same time, we also mingled with local students. We attended classes with German students at local university. I also joined a Pop and Jazz choir group. Sometimes we just need a change of perspective, to interact with people with different culture, different backgrounds and different ways of thinking."
Read Q+A interview with Zoey Zou
Andrew Rohm (Pratt '12)
"I'm an Electrical and Computer Engineering and German double-major. I thoroughly enjoyed the Spring semester engineering program in Berlin. As part of the semester, we enjoyed the continued hospitality of host families and numerous opportunities for cultural immersion. Between the experience of watching alongside millions of Germans as Germany advanced further and further into the World Cup and exploring the thriving metropolis that is Berlin, the Duke-in-Berlin program presents the chance for all this enjoyment and more, not to mention the challenge and reward of learning alongside German classmates."
STUDENT STORIES
Meet with a GEO Advisor
Not sure where to start? Prefer to talk to someone? Schedule an appointment with a GEO advisor to get personalized recommendations and answers to your questions.