Spend a transformative fall semester in Berlin, one of Europe's most historically rich and intellectually vibrant cities, through AIFS Abroad's partnership with Humboldt University (HU Berlin). This program places you at the heart of a metropolis that has been a stage for some of the most consequential events of the 20th and 21st centuries — from the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall to the ongoing reckoning with colonial legacies — making it an extraordinary living classroom for students across disciplines.

Under the 'Berlin Studies and German Culture' program, you can earn up to 15 credits by selecting five elective courses from a broad and intellectually challenging menu spanning art history, artificial intelligence, political science, sociology, philosophy, history, law, literature, and social justice. Courses are taught entirely in English (with optional German language courses in German), meaning no prior German language experience is required to participate. All courses are graded — Pass/Fail options are not available — and course codes are assigned by AIFS Abroad rather than HU Berlin, so your transcript will reflect AIFS Abroad designations rather than Humboldt's internal codes.

The course catalog reflects Berlin's unique position as a city that embodies both historical trauma and contemporary dynamism. You might examine how Berlin museums represent WWII memory and post-war migration, explore the political economy of global food systems through visits to local alternatives, analyze the rise of far-right parties in Eastern Europe and Germany, or interrogate mass surveillance culture from the Stasi era to the digital age. Several courses incorporate field excursions to Berlin's museums, archives, and cultural institutions, grounding theoretical frameworks in real-world sites and conversations with local curators, artists, and experts.

Credit transfer is facilitated through AIFS Abroad's established procedures and, where applicable, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). You will complete a Course Approval Form as part of your application, signed off by your home institution's study abroad office. Transcripts are issued approximately 60 days after program completion. AIFS Abroad program advisors are available to guide you through course selection and credit transfer logistics, and students are encouraged to obtain approval for backup courses in case adjustments are needed once abroad.

This program is ideal for undergraduate students with an appetite for interdisciplinary study in a globally significant urban environment. Whether your interests lie in critical theory, decolonial studies, sustainable mobility, AI and the arts, or global social movements, Berlin offers an unmatched backdrop. Please note that this program was not running in Fall 2026 — prospective students should check AIFS Abroad's website for the latest availability and application timelines.