German Language and Culture in Berlin | Global Education Oregon

German Language and Culture in Berlin

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 because program dates overlap with the UO Spring Term.

In this program, you will be immersed in German language and culture. You will directly enroll in the Freie Universität of Berlin (FUBiS) summer program. Develop your intercultural communication skills by joining the international community of students from more than 50 countries that attends FUBiS every year. You have the option to live with a local family in a homestay and further your language skills.

You will take one content course in English along with a German language course. Field trips to museums, memorials and cultural and political institutions are integral components of all classes. In some courses, you have the unique opportunity to attend specially organized and exclusive round-table discussions with decision makers, diplomats, and experts in their field of study.

Dates and Deadlines


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

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 currently not available to UO students because program dates overlap with the UO Spring Term.

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

Enroll with German and other international students in the FUBiS summer program, in either the four-week or six-week term. Every year, FUBiS offers more than 45 courses, including both content and German language classes. You will enroll in a semi-intensive German language course as well as one subject course taught in English or German. Content classes are kept small, with the number remaining below 18 students. Language courses will not exceed 15 students.

GEO Summer I (six weeks) course contact hours are 108 hours of semi-intensive German plus a 72 hour subject course.

GEO Summer II (four weeks) course contact hours are 48 hours of semi-intensive German plus 48 hours of one subject course. 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 A-Track Language Course and one B-Track Subject Course.

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 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.

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.