IES Abroad Berlin – Urban Studies & Social Sciences

Studying abroad on the IES Metropolitan Studies in Berlin was one of the best times in my life. My cohort was the first ones back since the pandemic so many things were different, so please take my review with a grain of salt. However, I had the most fun ever. The group that came was much smaller than a typically year so as a result we all got to know each other quite well. We all lived in the same apartment buildings so we frequently collaborated on meals and gatherings. This worked well for my...

I had the chance to study in Berlin, Germany through IES Abroad. I was fortunate enough to spend 3 1/2 months in this wonderful country. I was easily able to meet new people and create friendships that will last a lifetime. I was also able to travel to many different countries while being abroad because of how inexpensive it is. While in Berlin, I stayed in a homestay because I figured it would be a nice step into being immersed in the culture. In my homestay, I was able to speak and learn Germa...

Berlin has a contemporary and relaxing atmosphere, but it also has important layers of history. Many of my classes here touched upon history through different lens. For example, in Metropolitan development class, we discussed how different political ideologies in East and West Berlin influenced urban planning and architectural designs. In Recycled City class, we talked about economic challenges after reunification and how neoliberal housing policy led to gentrification. The program here delves i...