Summary
The European Studies program in Berlin is taught in English at Free University. The program features a range of courses in the humanities and social sciences that focus on Europe, Germany, and/or Berlin. Field trips are linked to many of the program courses. Berlin is a dynamic, multicultural city with a vibrant nightlife and wide array of cultural and recreational activities.
Students attend classes with international students and UC students.
Duration
Go to Current Participants to see current or past calendars.
Fall semester: late August to mid-December
Spring semester: early January to late April
You may extend your EAP participation from the fall to the spring program if qualified.
Academic Focus
Four courses are required for the program:
- One course in beginning German (approximately 10 UC quarter units)
- Three non-language courses, taught in English, that focus on Europe, Germany, and/or Berlin (approximately 4–4.5 UC quarter units each). Course topics such as the following may be offered:
- Contemporary Germany in European Perspective
- Integration, Conflict, and Security in Europe
- Themes and Trends in Modern Central European Literature and Theater
- Perspectives in 20th-century Art in Central Europe
- German Cinema Before 1945
- Human Psychology and the Totalitarian Experience
- Berlin: History, Memory, and Literature
- Modern German History in European Context: A Thematic Approach
See the FU-BEST website for course offerings.
Language of Instruction
English
Internships, Research, and Independent Study
Internships, research, and independent study for academic credit are not possible through this program.
Housing
You will live either in a homestay in a private home with a German family, or in an apartment with UC and other American students. All student housing is organized by the host institution.
Host Institutions
Free University, Berlin
Free University, as its name implies, was founded in 1948 as a result of the ideological conflicts at Humboldt University, whose dissident professors and students formed a new, “free” university where academic freedom and scholarly autonomy could flourish. At present, there are 52,000 students enrolled at Free University (including some 5,500 international students), making it Berlin’s largest university and one of the largest in Germany. It is located on attractive grounds amid grand villas that once housed the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute and the site of Allied Command Headquarters after World War II.
Visit the Free University website
Estimated Cost
The cost of study on EAP can be close to the cost of studying on
campus and is typically far less than the cost of non-UC study
abroad programs. You can also take your UC financial aid abroad! If you do not currently
receive UC financial aid, you may qualify for aid while on EAP. Each year, EAP students receive $1.3 million in study abroad grants and scholarships.
The estimated total cost for options in this program are listed below. Future costs will vary due to currency fluctuation, etc. All estimated totals include:
- UC fees
- program-specific fees
- room and board
- mandatory insurance
- incidentals
- transportation
- books
- on-site orientation
- predeparture expenses
- intensive language program expenses where applicable
Estimated EAP Costs*
| Choose option for detailed budget worksheet |
Cost |
| * Based on most recent costs to the nearest $100. |
| Fall Semester |
$14,700 |
| Spring Semester |
$13,093 |
Comparative UC Costs**
| |
Average UC
Off-Campus Costs |
Average UC
On-Campus Costs |
** Based on most recent costs. Miscellaneous campus fees, non-resident tuition,
and graduate fees are not included and may vary in the future. |
| UC Academic Year |
$23,614 |
$21,690 |
| UC Semester |
$11,955 |
$10,304 |
| UC Quarter |
$7,794 |
$7,230 |
Application Requirements
Program-specific Requirements
- Class level: sophomore, junior, senior
- Language prerequisite: zero to a maximum of 5 quarters (3 semesters) of university-level German.
- GPA: 2.85 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure.
In addition to program-specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following
minimum requirements:
- Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into
the student’s UC degree program
- Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully
to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and
exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
- Willingness to abide by program regulations
- Endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all
campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)
These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines selection. The final admission decision is made by the host institution.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office.
In addition to your campus deadlines, there are deadlines by which the Campus EAP Office must submit the completed applications and accompanying materials to the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP). For participation in the Program, it is critical that both campus deadlines and UOEAP deadlines are met. If the application is incomplete and not accompanied by the required materials noted, it will be returned to the Campus EAP Office.
Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but are not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.
Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:
