Duke in Berlin
A 6-WEEK GERMAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
Study and experience Germany's capital city of Berlin in the summer
Apply NowNo prior knowledge of German required
The Program
This six-week, two course interdisciplinary program is based in Berlin, Germany’s capital and the economic powerhouse of Europe. Directed by Dr. Tin Wegel, the Duke in Berlin summer program offers three courses taught in English, of which students choose one, as well as language courses at all levels that allow students to fully immerse themselves in German life and culture. Students may choose to enroll in a German language course appropriate for their level of German or they may opt to take two courses taught in English. All students must enroll in two 1-course credits in this summer program.
Student do not need to know any German to attend.
Graduate students in all departments are welcome to apply and may enroll in all courses. They are advised to apply for funding from their own department or from other sources.
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: Berlin, Germany
Term: Summer I
Dates: May 16, 2025 - June 27, 2025
Application Deadline: February 1st
Academic Theme(s): German language, Art and Architecture, Visual and Media Studies, Political Science
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: Open to all majors. Open to all graduate students. You need not have taken German courses to participate except as noted for specific courses. Language students will be placed in courses prior to departure. Must be in good academic standing. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program.
Duke Affiliation: Department of German Studies
Housing: Efficiency Apartments
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Students Studying
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Berlin Cathedral
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Charlottenburg Palace
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Duke in Berlin
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Students Studying Photography
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Students at Salzburg
ACADEMICS
Students enroll in two Duke faculty-led courses for two Duke course credits. Courses will be offered in elementary, intermediate, and advanced German, as well as Art and Architecture, Visual and Media Studies, and Political Science.
Neither the pass/fail option nor auditing is permitted in any course.
- German Courses
- Courses Taught in English
German Courses
Courses Taught in German
The following courses have been offered recently and are proposed for the upcoming summer:
GERMAN 101A
First Year German I
(FL) 1.0 Credit
Introduction to German language and culture. Four skills (understanding, speaking, reading, writing) and communicative approach to the language of everyday life in German-speaking countries, the language of their histories and societies, their arts and letters.
GERMAN 102A
First Year German II
(FL) 1.0 Credit
Second semester of introductory language course. Practice in spoken and written German, vocabulary building, building cultural awareness. Focus on topics of everyday life in German-speaking countries through stories, poetry, music, video, internet, as well as grounding in basic structures of the German language.
GERMAN 203A
Intermediate German I
(CZ, FL) 1.0 Credit
Each of these courses builds language proficiency through a topic-oriented syllabus focusing on contemporary German-speaking cultures and societies (family, leisure, work, education, environment, current events).
GERMAN 204A
Intermediate German II
(CZ, FL) 1.0 Credit
(See description of GERMAN 203 above.) Increased focus on reading, speaking, essay writing. Extensive reading includes one full-length play by a contemporary German, Swiss, or Austrian writer.
GERMAN 303AS
Advanced German in Berlin
(ALP, CCI, CZ, FL) 1.0 Credit
Prerequisite: GERMAN 204 or equivalent. May substitute for 305S or 306S to fulfill major requirement.
Reading and discussion of advanced material centered largely on contemporary Berlin. Development of written and oral proficiency in German, as well as insight into the cultural and historical aspects of the capital.
Courses Taught in English
GERMAN 365A / ARTHIST 297A
Art & Architecture of Berlin: 15th to 20th Century
(CCI, ALP, CZ) 1.0 credit
Introduction to the visual arts of Germany from the fifteenth to the twentieth century through lectures conducted in Berlin's museums and cultural institutions. German Old Masters, German Romantic and Realist artists, Modernist art movements, such as Expressionism and New Objectivity, considered in relation to upheavals in modern German history.
GERMAN 376SA
Berlin Film City: Movies in the Metropolis
(ALP, CCI) 1.0 Credit
A course about Berlin's rich and unparalleled cinema history. Screenings, readings, and visits to historical studios and cinemas, film museums, archives, and film academies. The course is structured around a series of iconic films about Berlin. Units on Weimar cinema, Nazi film, DEFA (East Germany's production studio), the New German Cinema of the 1970s and 80s, post-wall film, and the twenty-first century Berlin School. Students will engage in close analysis of films in their historical context and discuss how cinema engages with issues of national, political, religious, ethnic, gender and sexual identities.
GERMAN 270SA / POLSCI 271SA
Politics of the European Union
(CCI, CZ) 1.0 Credit
Detailed overview of the European Union (EU), focusing on its evolution from post-World War II integration efforts to its current status as a major global actor. Students will explore the history, structure, and function of EU institutions, including the Council, Commission, Parliament, and the Court of Justice. The course delves into both economic and non-economic policies, addressing key areas such as the Single Market, the Euro, external trade, and newer challenges like immigration, security, and climate change policies.
ACTIVITIES
Past program activities have included:
- A visit to the Parliament (Bundestag)
- Guided tours of historical and cultural sites within Berlin
- Museum Visits
- Weekend excursion to another city
- Casual meetups during the week
HOUSING & MEALS
Students will be housed in efficiency rooms in a centrally located extended stay hotel where they will be able to cook their own meals. Therefore, students are responsible for most meals. The program hosts a welcome and farewell event and meals during program-led excursions.
COSTS
These costs are estimated based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2025
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,940 | $5,940 |
| Program Fee | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
| Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $16,640 | $16,760 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- International SOS Coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
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 host site
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Mobile phone
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
- Meals
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: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyGlobalEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer 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. 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.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival: May 16, 2025
- Departure: June 27, 2025
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyGlobalEd to update your travel registry.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
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 visas may be required for participation.
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 Travel.State.Gov website.
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 online 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.isic.org to carry on your phone to receive student discounts at different companies.
PROGRAM FACULTY & STAFF
The Duke in Berlin program director can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the Global Education Office.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: February 1st. This program has rolling admission. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early and meet the prerequisites.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
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.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
APPLY
Please 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.
To apply to this program, please submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- 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, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate
STUDENT STORIES
The congregation of modernism, ‘ratchetness,’ and thousands of historical museums and cultural events shower me with the agedness of its history, the youthfulness of its open spirits, and the fresh air of its optimism.”
Students live in apartments in the alternative neighborhood of Kreuzberg and in that way you really feel that you are a part of the city. Berlin is very international, or "Multi-Kulti" as the Germans say, and has something for everyone.”
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.