Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or Above
Location: Europe, Germany
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

Note: GEO's Summer Session I is NOT open to UO students as program dates overlap with the UO Spring Term.

This program is focused on German language skill development. You will directly enroll in the Freie Universität of Berlin (FUBiS) summer program. FUBiS offers semi-intensive and intensive German language at five proficiency levels (A1 to C1), allowing you to improve your German skills considerably. Field trips to historic, cultural and political institutions are integral components of all classes. In addition, you will develop your intercultural communication skills as part of an international community of students from more than 50 countries studying in Berlin. You have the option to live with a local family in a homestay and further your language skills.

Dates and Deadlines

 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer I 2025 2/1/2025 6/7/25 7/19/25
Summer II 2025 2/1/2025 7/26/25 8/23/25

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Note: GEO's Summer I corresponds to FUBiS term II and GEO's Summer II corresponds to FUBis term III.  GEO's Summer I session is not available to UO students because program dates overlap with Spring Term.

Summer courses in Berlin can fill quickly, and you are encouraged to complete and submit all application materials as early as possible.

You will enroll in the intensive German language course of 180 contact hours for Summer I (six weeks) or 120 contact hours during Summer II (four weeks). Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

You can view the courses, syllabi and class schedule on FUBiS's website under FUBiS Term III. For this program, you will choose one course from the C-Track Language Courses. 

Intensive German language classes meet every weekday and allow you to focus on and improve your German language skills. Courses are kept small; the number of participants remains below 15 students per class. The FUBiS staff are a dedicated team, motivated to organize this summer program for international students. FUBiS carefully selects its teaching faculty, and instructors must have demonstrated outstanding competence and experience in their particular discipline. Therefore the FUBiS faculty are an exceptional group made up of individual professors from many regions around the world.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Housing Description

In this program, you can choose to live with a host family, stay in a shared apartment, or stay in the Student Hotel. Each of these options are different prices. FUBiS encourages students to enroll in housing early as space fills up quickly. 

There are two locations for student dorms and they are about a 30-45 minute commute from the university. The student dorms include a shared kitchen and shared bathroom spaces. These are the least expensive housing option.

The homestays vary from relatively small, centrally located apartments to larger private homes outside of central Berlin. Host families are carefully screened and provide good, affordable accommodation offering you the opportunity to develop your independence and language proficiency by participating in family, community, cultural and recreational activities. Homestays include daily breakfast and one additional meal per day. Many cherish their homestay experience as one of the most rewarding aspects of the Berlin program and remain lifelong friends with their host family.

The Student Hotel is centrally located in the middle of Berlin and includes a private room and bathroom. This is the most expensive option of the three.