I strongly recommend those interested in studying abroad to consider spending a full year in Berlin. With the second semester, I was able to leverage the experience, knowledge, and improvement in language abilities acquired in the first.
I was drawn to the Berlin Consortium for German Studies because of its reputation as a full-immersion study abroad program. BCGS sets itself apart from other programs by allowing its participants to choose the courses and faculty which interest them. At BCGS, I had the opportunity to study alongside regular university students, and all classes were conducted completely in German. I found unique courses which were compatible with my majors that I would not have been able to take at my home university. BCGS also encourages its students to explore course offerings at Berlin’s other academic institutions. One of my favorite courses was a seminar which I attended at the Humboldt University of Berlin during my second semester.
Thanks to my year abroad, I experienced profound growth on both the professional and personal levels. Academically, I developed essential research and language skills. Outside the classroom, I became confident in my ability to live and thrive in a foreign environment. I found a flatshare and explored Berlin’s diverse “kiezkultur.” In the melting pot of Berlin’s many neighborhoods, I encountered cultures and people from all over Germany and the world. In the four years since leaving, I have already utilized the experience gained during my time at BCGS. My last year at Penn, I was able to research and write my senior thesis completely in German. More recently, I employed the cross cultural communication skills developed in Berlin as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine.
BCGS offers both semester and year-long programs. However, I strongly recommend those interested in studying abroad to consider spending a full year in Berlin. With the second semester, I was able to leverage the experience, knowledge, and improvement in language abilities acquired in the first. Berlin is a truly beautiful, dynamic city with a rich cultural and historical heritage. One semester would only scratch its surface.
