 Location
The city of Berlin, now considered Germany's cultural, political, and
economic center, provides students with the opportunity to observe first-hand
the emerging impact of a reunited Germany on the rest of Europe while
studying at the renowned Freie Universität-Berlin. The founding motto
of the Freie Universität Berlin — "Truth, Justice, Freedom" —
has shaped its history since 1948. With 42,500 students in approximately
90 different programs of study, 4,000 graduate and 1,000 doctoral candidates
each year, the FU Berlin is the largest university in Germany's capital,
and one of the largest in the nation. The main campus is located in the
upscale residential district of Dahlem, while some departments are located
in the neighboring districts of Steglitz and Zehlendorf. The main campus
encompasses lecture halls, charming villas, green parks, and wooded areas.
There are several computer laboratories on campus with Internet access
and printing services as well as the John F. Kennedy Institute, a world-renowned
center for North American studies, which houses a multimedia library.
Program of Study
Notre Dame's
Office of International Studies (OIS) offers the opportunity
to study in Berlin, Germany for a semester or a year through the Berlin Consortium for German Studies (BCGS) of Columbia
University. Based at Freie Universität Berlin and managed by Columbia
University, the Berlin Consortium for German Studies offers an intellectually
challenging and diverse program of study meeting the highest academic
standards. BCGS welcomes students majoring in the humanities, social sciences
and the natural sciences.
 This
program provides in-depth study of German language, culture, and society,
and the opportunity to observe first-hand the emerging impact of a reunited
Berlin—now considered Germany's cultural, political, and economic center—on
the rest of Europe. The program begins with a six-week intensive language
practicum which, in conjunction with a month-long homestay with a German
family, prepares students for direct study in the German university system.
Upon completion
of the practicum, students enroll in one course taught by the BCGS directors
which reflects their academic interests, focusing on topics such as culture,
politics, history, literature, theater or cinema, as well as at least
two courses at Freie Universität Berlin. FU Berlin offers a wide range
of courses in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. All
coursework will be in German. Program tutors are available to assist BCGS
students with the transition from the language practicum to taking courses
in the German university system. Click here
for links to Berlin course information.
BCGS's fall semester begins the first week of September and runs through
the third week of February with a two-week Christmas/New Year's break.
The spring semester begins in early March and runs through mid-July. See
the BCGS
program calendar for more details.
Eligibility for the Program
The Berlin Consortium for German Studies (BCGS) requires a minimum 3.0
GPA for applicants to the program. Because the BCGS program is designed
for students with at least two years of university-level language instruction
in German, we recommend that students participate in this program during
their junior year. Seniors may be considered under special circumstances.
Application Procedures and Due Dates
OIS will collect applications from students on campus and screen
them through procedures established for the other international programs. If accepted by Notre Dame, the applicant will need to apply to Columbia for acceptance. If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact Assistant Director and Berlin Program Manager David Younger at dyounger@nd.edu or (574) 631-2807. For details regarding the application process to Columbia, please visit Columbia's webpage here. The required materials for the Columbia application include: a completed online application, a $50 application fee, a 500 word statement of purpose, a study abroad approval form (completed by OIS on your behalf), an online faculty recommendation, an online language recommendation, an official University of Notre Dame transcript, and a completed online German language evaluation exam. Applications are due to OIS on or before November 15th for the academic year and spring semester. If accepted by Notre Dame, the Columbia application deadlines are March 1 (for the Academic Year) and October 15 of the following academic year (for the Spring semester only).
Additional Information
There is much more we can tell you — about this location, vibrant
religious, cultural and recreational life of this community ... about
the student housing, transportation, health care and much, much more.
It is, after all, the details that make this program so appealing. Interested?
Just click here for additional information. |
