main content Germany: Berlin

Academics

Requirements Fulfilled:

General Education - This program fulfills the Global Perspectives general education requirement for students who successfully complete 8 or more semester credits. Contemporary German History fulfills the Historical Perspectives general education requirement. Contemporary Germany: Berlin fulfills the Culture, Power and Identity general education requirement. Music and Art after Modernism fulfills the Creative Arts general education requirement.

Major Requirements: CHEM 330 may be applied to the CHEM, BCMB, or BIO major.

Credits: 16 credits (4 courses)

Curriculum:

All courses are taught in English. 

IS 206 Contemporary Germany: Berlin: (4 credits)

This course is an interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary Germany with a focus on key moments of transformation in the country’s political, cultural and socio-economic development. Starting with the division of the country during the Cold War, the course will cover the 1989 “peaceful revolution”, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and its impact on today’s societal and political dynamics. The course will delve into the revolutionary 1960’s which laid the foundation for female emancipation, green movements, and gender inclusivity. Berlin’s neighborhoods will serve as a learning lab where students explore the city’s diverse food scene, showcasing both traditional German culture and the influences of multiethnic traditions shaped by migration and globalization in recent decades. The students will also discover the development of the “Erinnerungskultur” (memory culture), explore Jewish life in Germany today, and learn basic German language phrases to survive their first conversations in Berlin.

IS 207 Contemporary German History: (4 credits)

This course provides an historical overview from the founding of the Kingdom of Prussia to the end of World War II. Students will learn about the rise of Prussia and delve into the eventful and tumultuous decades of German history after the founding of the federal monarchy in 1871. In the 20th century Berlin was the stage upon which a turbulent drama played out. In the 1920’s, the metropolis defined what it meant to be modern: Berlin was the intellectual epitome of a liberal republic and a glamorous café society. But that republic was unstable, and soon a fascist government destroyed this atmosphere of tolerance along with many of the great works of art and literature created by its talented freethinkers. Students will discuss both the promises and failings of the Weimar Republic in the context of the rising political extremes of communism and fascism that eventually gave way to the terror of Hitler and the Nazi Party. Finally, the course analyzes World War II, including the Holocaust and complete defeat of Germany.

IS 208 Music and Art after Modernism: (4 credits)

In this course, we will engage with music and art since the birth of Modernism, paying special attention to the last 50 years, in order to help situate what’s happening in music and art today. We will look at the frictions between genres, the battles between ‘high’ and ‘low’ art, and the influence of artists across disciplines, all of which give space for new movements to emerge. A recurring theme will include the desire for artists to reach new audiences through non-specialist modes of production, from curating and DJing to remixes and social media trends.

Students will engage in conversations about what it means to be contemporary, not only for artists today, but for audiences as well, and how these roles overlap in a socio-political context that exceeds the arts. As an extension of these conversations, we will meet with local musicians for listening sessions and we will visit exhibitions and clubs throughout Berlin. Drawing on examples from class—including videos, remixes or original music—students will produce a series of creative reflections where they explore the topics from class through a project of their own.

IS 263 Urban Studies in Comparative Perspective: (4 credits)

The course focuses on Berlin as a case study of urban governance for sustainability. It will compare local policy challenges in national and international contexts, developing a more nuanced view on the top down and bottom-up strategies of building sustainable cities. The course combines a comparative policy analysis approach with concepts of international relations studies. The objective is to unravel the concept of sustainability and study its translation into politics and policies in multi-level governance structures.

Chemistry majors may substitute the following course for Urban Studies, provided the prerequisite has been met.

CHEM 330: Structural Biochemistry (4 credits)

The structure-function relationship of biological molecules. Principles governing protein folding and methods used to assess protein structure; case studies illustrating how protein structure dictates function; DNA structure and the chemistry of protein-DNA interactions; membrane biochemistry and the dynamics of membrane organization; role of the membrane in facilitating transport, intracellular communication, and mediating the transmission of nerve signals.

Excursions: The program includes trips to local and regional sites of interest to help students experience life and culture in Germany outside of Berlin. Students will have overnight excursions to Dresden and Leipzig. 

Student Life

Housing: During their semester in Berlin, students will be in apartments. Each student will have their own room, furnished with a bed, desk or table, storage space, bed linens and towels. Students will share the bathroom, kitchen, and other common living spaces with other students. Students are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals, but the Overseas Office will give them a stipend to cover the cost of their food. Students have the option to prepare their own meals at home or eat at one of Berlin’s many inexpensive restaurants, and on weekdays, they can purchase an inexpensive lunch at one of the university cafeterias.

Extracurricular Activities: Students can find many opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities through Humboldt University. Joining a club, finding a Sprachpartner, taking a sport or dance class, attending the HUB “Orbis” program for international students, and volunteering are all excellent ways for students to fill their time outside of their classes and to meet local students.

Cost

2025-2026 Fee Breakdown*

Total Fee (includes Tuition, Program Fee, and Health & Wellness Fee): $42,889

Tuition: $33,807

Program Fee: $9,045

Health & Wellness Fee: $37**

Included in the program fee are room/housing, board/meals, and administrative fees. Not included are airfare, passport and visa expenses, primary insurance coverage, photographs, books, immunizations, and incidentals. 

*Fees are updated every February for the following academic year.

**The Health & Wellness Fee supports the operations of Wellness Services staff in delivering pre-program orientation services, as well as in providing health-related consultation regarding participant health needs. All students in the College of Arts and Sciences pay a mandatory fee of $37 per semester.

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend to cover the cost of meals and transportation costs not covered by the program fee.

Estimated Airfare (Round Trip PDX to BER): $800 - $1,500

Estimated Travel Document Fees: $65 - $100

Estimated Health Insurance Fee: $1,906

All students participating in overseas programs are automatically enrolled in iNext, a supplemental travel insurance program. The fee for iNext is covered in the program cost. However, students are also required to have comprehensive health insurance during their time abroad. All students participating in overseas programs, both abroad and domestic, are automatically enrolled in the College’s student health insurance program. Similar to a regular semester on-campus, students participating in overseas programs may waive enrollment in the student health insurance program if they have other comprehensive health insurance (e.g., through a parent, guardian or employer) that 1) provides coverage for them in the geographic region in which they will be studying and 2) includes mental health benefits. Click here for more information regarding health insurance & overseas programs.

Program Preparation

Application Process: This program has a dual application process. Student must first submit a Lewis & Clark Application one year before the start of the program. Once admitted by Lewis & Clark, the students will receive instructions for submitting their secondary application to IES and will receive a separate notification letter of admission.  Please keep a digital copy of your essays and other application materials as you will need to submit these similar materials to IES. Please note that this secondary application process can be as late as the semester preceding your scheduled participation.

The semester before the program, students who have been accepted will meet regularly for orientation. This orientation is meant to prepare the students for life in Berlin by exploring literature and culture, and provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the logistical details of the program.

For more information about the application process, click here.

Travel: Students usually fly into the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), where they will take a pre-arranged bus to the IES Berlin Study Center. 

Visa: Students will be required to apply for a visa in order to participate in this program. More information will be provided upon admission to the program.

Country-Specific Health Information: Click here to view specific health information for people traveling to Germany.

State Department Country Information: Click here to visit the State Department’s Germany page.