Berlin Residential Fall Semester Program

Reviewed by Karla Jacksonstudent on January 13, 2013.

I will do my best to explain this extraordinary program. I have always wanted to study abroad; I just did not know what country I wanted to experience. After speaking to fellow participants of this program, I was sold! I made a visit to my advisor, handed in my application and even had time to apply for the Gilman International Study Abroad Scholarship. To my surprise I became a recipient of the scholarship and was now ready to embark on my new e... Read more

Reviewed by ascalzo1student on January 12, 2013.

Life changing, exciting and so worthwhile! You get so much more out of this program than you could ever expect. Berlin is a fantastic city with so much to offer. Living with host families is an amazing experience and getting to participate in an internship is awesome! I could go on and on about my experience, but you should probably go and have one yourself!! :) Read more

Reviewed by Mary Lawrencestudent on January 12, 2013.

When I first mention my latest study abroad experience, the question I get most is, "Why Berlin?" I never really know quite how to answer. Why did I choose Berlin? I was a French and Political Science double major. I got into French because my family happens to have French Canadian heritage, because I happen to live on the Canadian border, because it happened to be one of the two languages my high school offered. Interest in French brought m... Read more

Reviewed by Megan Knepkastudent on January 11, 2013.

Originally, I wasn't going to study abroad in Berlin, I was wishing to go to Florence instead, I'd actually already taken two semesters of Italian in preparation. That plan fell through and I thought I wasn't going to go abroad at all during my four years of college. But around March, I stumbled into Dr. Hopkins office and was convinced into making the best snap decision I've made thus far. Going to Berlin. Berlin wasn't what I expected. If you ... Read more

Reviewed by Casey Hollandstudent on January 11, 2013.

Like most things in life, what you put into studying abroad directly correlates with what you get out of it. The program is set up to provide you with enough structure to keep things moving (excursions, dinners, concerts), and enough freedom to allow you to really make the experience your own. Balanced is a good word. It was easily the busiest semester I've taken so far, but I loved every second of it! The value of the program extends far beyon... Read more

Reviewed by Melanie Jungestudent on April 22, 2012.

Without a doubt, Studienforum Berlin is the best study abroad program that I have ever heard about. The program directors are absolutely great and the student leaders were awesome! Every aspect of this program has been given so much attention to detail, that my entire 4 month stay was flawless. I cannot imagine any other program running better than this. I am SO glad I decided to study abroad in Berlin. Read more

Reviewed by David Gefellstudent on January 01, 2012.

I had a great time throughout the program and learned so much about the city and German culture. The program was very professional and ran smoothly. It was okay that I had only a little prior knowledge in German language, however, I would suggest learning as much as you can before to make your experience even better. Overall one of the best experiences of my life. Read more

Reviewed by Clare Henriestudent on March 07, 2011.

This program is perfect for those who are not yet a German speaker. Students get a vast amount of personal attention from the professors, peer mentors, and the heads of the program Herr and Frau Jacobsen. These two hold the program together and will do pretty much anything within reason to make your study abroad experience fantastic. Berlin is a wonderful city for people who want a cosmopolitan feel but really enjoy beautiful outdoors areas and a... Read more

Reviewed by Sara Th?gersenstudent on March 07, 2011.

I entered this program with a variety of x-factors: I wasn't a student at Nazareth, I was already in Europe for a few months before the program commenced, and had lived in Berlin for the first ten years of my life. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I had googled for 'studying in berlin', and this is the first program that came up, so I went with it! Having already known the city as a child, I was going into last fall with a... Read more

Reviewed by Jack McKeestudent on March 07, 2011.

Best choice I have made in my life, no doubt. Enriched my understanding of the world, to put it very simply. Cultural exchange of art, architecture, music, history, and pretty much anything you know from home or elsewhere, it has a counterpart in Berlin. In addition to all this, just as our own homes have unique things to offer, so does Berlin. The only problem is, you might not want to come back... Read more

Reviewed by Casey Hollandstudent on January 11, 2013.

Like most things in life, what you put into studying abroad directly correlates with what you get out of it. The program is set up to provide you with enough structure to keep things moving (excursions, dinners, concerts), and enough freedom to allow you to really make the experience your own. Balanced is a good word. It was easily the busiest semester I've taken so far, but I loved every second of it! The value of the program extends far beyon... Read more

Reviewed by Clare Henriestudent on March 07, 2011.

This program is perfect for those who are not yet a German speaker. Students get a vast amount of personal attention from the professors, peer mentors, and the heads of the program Herr and Frau Jacobsen. These two hold the program together and will do pretty much anything within reason to make your study abroad experience fantastic. Berlin is a wonderful city for people who want a cosmopolitan feel but really enjoy beautiful outdoors areas and a... Read more

Reviewed by Sara Th?gersenstudent on March 07, 2011.

I entered this program with a variety of x-factors: I wasn't a student at Nazareth, I was already in Europe for a few months before the program commenced, and had lived in Berlin for the first ten years of my life. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I had googled for 'studying in berlin', and this is the first program that came up, so I went with it! Having already known the city as a child, I was going into last fall with a... Read more

Reviewed by Jack McKeestudent on March 07, 2011.

Best choice I have made in my life, no doubt. Enriched my understanding of the world, to put it very simply. Cultural exchange of art, architecture, music, history, and pretty much anything you know from home or elsewhere, it has a counterpart in Berlin. In addition to all this, just as our own homes have unique things to offer, so does Berlin. The only problem is, you might not want to come back... Read more

Reviewed by Jeri Beckensstudent on March 07, 2011.

I could go on for a very long time about the Studienforum Berlin Program. It was an amazing experience. Everyone involved in coordinating the program goes above and beyond all expectations and they make the semester run smoothly. The directors of the program organize weekend trips that were probably the most fun parts of the semester. There was a week break in October that gave everybody time to travel where ever they liked. A group of us went to... Read more

Reviewed by Madeline Donovanstudent on March 07, 2011.

When I signed up for Studienforum Berlin, it was a spur of the moment decision, but it turned out to be the best thing I have done in my undergraduate career. I was hesitant at first to join this program, because I didn't know any German and I didn't really want to be gone for an entire semester of my senior year at Nazareth College. While I was in Germany, I not only picked up some of the language and the culture between my classes and living wi... Read more

Reviewed by Dan Simmonsstudent on March 07, 2011.

Studienforum's Berlin program is great. As a German major, I improved my language skills a lot by staying with a German family and meeting new people in the city. The program is also great for those who don't speak any German at all. A few of the other students in my group didn't and they still had a really good time. The three elective courses are all taught in English. I really liked every class I took (Peace&Conflict, Literature/Film/Thea... Read more

Reviewed by Jeremy Woodstudent on March 07, 2011.

This program was one of the best experiences in my life. I decided to study abroad on a whim, knew absolutely no German before going and managed to make it home in one piece, and learn quite a bit of the language and culture through SFB. The classes were instructed by great educators, most with a Ph.D in their field of study, that made the classes interesting and fun. The course selection allowed for someone working towards any U.G. degree to hav... Read more

Reviewed by Thomas Baumgartnerstudent on March 07, 2011.

As a former student at Studienforum, I found the program to be very much worthwhile program that exceeded my expectations of the study abroad experience. The small group/class sizes allowed me to develop close bonds with the other students and the student coordinator, as well as the program director himself, Dr Hanns-Dieter Jacobsen, who not only taught one of the classes, but took an active role in getting to know each of us on a personal level.... Read more

Reviewed by Rebecca Nagelstudent on March 07, 2011.

Choosing to study for a semester in Berlin was by far one of the best decisions Ive ever made. The 10 other students I traveled with have become my best friends; I wouldnt trade the experiences we had together for anything. The Studienforum Berlin e.V. program itself was phenomenal. Whether we took a simple trip to a museum or traveled to the Czech Republic for a weekend in Prague, I was never disappointed with the experience. Each excur... Read more

Reviewed by Sebastian Maleckistudent on March 07, 2011.

I would just like to simply mention that Studienforum Berlin was a life changing experience that I believe everyone should enjoy and experience. As a result of the program, I was not only able to make friends from another college (most of the participants were from Nazareth College and I go to SUNY Buffalo), but I was also able to become friends with Germans living in Berlin (I still keep in contact with these people till today). Along with frien... Read more

Reviewed by Karla Jacksonstudent on January 13, 2013.

I will do my best to explain this extraordinary program. I have always wanted to study abroad; I just did not know what country I wanted to experience. After speaking to fellow participants of this program, I was sold! I made a visit to my advisor, handed in my application and even had time to apply for the Gilman International Study Abroad Scholarship. To my surprise I became a recipient of the scholarship and was now ready to embark on my new e... Read more

Reviewed by ascalzo1student on January 12, 2013.

Life changing, exciting and so worthwhile! You get so much more out of this program than you could ever expect. Berlin is a fantastic city with so much to offer. Living with host families is an amazing experience and getting to participate in an internship is awesome! I could go on and on about my experience, but you should probably go and have one yourself!! :) Read more

Reviewed by Mary Lawrencestudent on January 12, 2013.

When I first mention my latest study abroad experience, the question I get most is, "Why Berlin?" I never really know quite how to answer. Why did I choose Berlin? I was a French and Political Science double major. I got into French because my family happens to have French Canadian heritage, because I happen to live on the Canadian border, because it happened to be one of the two languages my high school offered. Interest in French brought m... Read more

Reviewed by Megan Knepkastudent on January 11, 2013.

Originally, I wasn't going to study abroad in Berlin, I was wishing to go to Florence instead, I'd actually already taken two semesters of Italian in preparation. That plan fell through and I thought I wasn't going to go abroad at all during my four years of college. But around March, I stumbled into Dr. Hopkins office and was convinced into making the best snap decision I've made thus far. Going to Berlin. Berlin wasn't what I expected. If you ... Read more

Reviewed by Casey Hollandstudent on January 11, 2013.

Like most things in life, what you put into studying abroad directly correlates with what you get out of it. The program is set up to provide you with enough structure to keep things moving (excursions, dinners, concerts), and enough freedom to allow you to really make the experience your own. Balanced is a good word. It was easily the busiest semester I've taken so far, but I loved every second of it! The value of the program extends far beyon... Read more

Reviewed by Melanie Jungestudent on April 22, 2012.

Without a doubt, Studienforum Berlin is the best study abroad program that I have ever heard about. The program directors are absolutely great and the student leaders were awesome! Every aspect of this program has been given so much attention to detail, that my entire 4 month stay was flawless. I cannot imagine any other program running better than this. I am SO glad I decided to study abroad in Berlin. Read more

Reviewed by David Gefellstudent on January 01, 2012.

I had a great time throughout the program and learned so much about the city and German culture. The program was very professional and ran smoothly. It was okay that I had only a little prior knowledge in German language, however, I would suggest learning as much as you can before to make your experience even better. Overall one of the best experiences of my life. Read more

Reviewed by Clare Henriestudent on March 07, 2011.

This program is perfect for those who are not yet a German speaker. Students get a vast amount of personal attention from the professors, peer mentors, and the heads of the program Herr and Frau Jacobsen. These two hold the program together and will do pretty much anything within reason to make your study abroad experience fantastic. Berlin is a wonderful city for people who want a cosmopolitan feel but really enjoy beautiful outdoors areas and a... Read more

Reviewed by Sara Th?gersenstudent on March 07, 2011.

I entered this program with a variety of x-factors: I wasn't a student at Nazareth, I was already in Europe for a few months before the program commenced, and had lived in Berlin for the first ten years of my life. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I had googled for 'studying in berlin', and this is the first program that came up, so I went with it! Having already known the city as a child, I was going into last fall with a... Read more

Reviewed by Jack McKeestudent on March 07, 2011.

Best choice I have made in my life, no doubt. Enriched my understanding of the world, to put it very simply. Cultural exchange of art, architecture, music, history, and pretty much anything you know from home or elsewhere, it has a counterpart in Berlin. In addition to all this, just as our own homes have unique things to offer, so does Berlin. The only problem is, you might not want to come back... Read more