Maryland-in-Berlin

Study in Berlin at the Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin), through the FU-BEST program. The program is open to all University of Maryland (College Park) students. Students in the program receive German language instruction (offered at all levels) and also enroll in FU-BEST content course(s) spanning a variety of disciplines, in addition to two semester-long courses with Maryland's Resident Faculty Director.

Students are not required to speak any German before enrolling in the program, although all participants are expected to take language classes while abroad. The Maryland-in-Berlin program is a Fall-only program, although students are welcome to stay on as regular FU-BEST participants for the Spring semester if they would like to study abroad for a full year.

Berlin is a dynamic, multicultural metropolis with 3.4 million inhabitants. The city has a rich and dramatic history that spans centuries and encompasses all of the ups and downs of Germany’s past. Modern-day Berlin offers a spectacular diversity of cultural offerings, including museums, opera houses, concert halls and theaters, ample recreational opportunities, a first-class public transportation network and a vibrant nightlife. The Free University is one of Germany’s premier institutions of higher education, located in Berlin’s charming southwestern sector.

The site of the FU-BEST Program is a large villa in the FU campus area, a gift of the American people to Germany during the Cold War years. It contains offices, classrooms, a kitchen, a lounge area, and a study/laptop-workspace area for program participants. The building features wireless internet access and as well as a small computer lab, is located close to other FU facilities, and offers easy access to public transportation.

Every Friday during the semester, students on the Maryland-in-Berlin program will experience the city of Berlin through scheduled outings and field trips. In addition, the program sponsors a week-long excursion to Poland, Munich/Vienna or Dresden/Prague (varying from semester to semester).

Please see the FU-BEST website for more information about the program structure, housing options and course syllabi.