Berlin

Freie Universität

Before you meet with an education abroad advisor be sure to complete the "Advising Form" linked at the top of this page.

Please note that you will not be able to apply for semester or yearlong education abroad program until you've met with an education abroad advisor. To make an appointment, please contact internationalprograms@noctrl.edu or call the Center for Global Education at 630-637-5132.

Program Overview

Eligible participants must be at junior or senior level with a 3.0 GPA preferred. No previous knowledge of the German language required.

Located in the dynamic, multicultural European metropolis of Berlin, Freie Universität (FU) is one of Germany’s premier institutions of higher education. Founded in 1948 with an enrollment of about 30,000 students, the university has a strong international profile and a large number of international students.

The FU-BEST program includes intensive German at all levels, as well as courses taught in English in cultural studies, art history, literature, European affairs, history, politics, music, business and philosophy. Participants are housed in homestays or fully furnished single-occupancy apartments. The program includes field trips, a weeklong off-site excursion, and various cultural events and activities. For students studying abroad the entire year, an internship option is available after completion of the spring semester.

Student blog:  to see the NCC student, Caroline Struthers', experience studying at Freie Universität for the fall 2012 term, please visit her blog by clicking here.

Freie Universität website

For students studying abroad the entire year, an internship option is available after completion of the spring semester.

Academic Credit

Students are required to complete GLS 277 in the spring term prior to studying abroad in the fall.

Students earn 12-15 credits depending on courses selected. Program participants are required to enroll in one German language course and then may select their remaining courses (all 3 credits) from a list of options. All grades earned abroad affect your North Central College GPA when transferred back. Students cannot take courses pass/fail.

List of course options taught in English

Note:  Students must have courses pre-approved by North Central College prior to taking them abroad. If students change their course schedules while abroad, they must get this change approved. Some departments only permit students to take a certain number of courses that count toward their major abroad; by getting all courses pre-approved, this ensures that these courses will count towards their degrees.

Housing and Meals

Single-occupancy, fully furnished studio apartment (no meals included) or home stay (including breakfast and dinner) 

Additional accommodation information can be found here.

Estimated Costs

Students in Direct Enrollment programs (i.e. Freie Universität) pay North Central College tuition plus a $3,500 program fee. This fee includes placement, orientation and guidance fees, as well as standard self-catered housing. The College selects accommodations; if students choose to upgrade, they are responsible for paying any difference in cost. Unless otherwise noted, the fee does not include airfare, travel to and from airport, meals, visa fees, departure tax, books, national insurance, personal travel or spending money. North Central College financial aid does apply.