Berlin is a vibrant, modern metropolis where history and culture come to life around every corner. Students will spend 2.5 weeks exploring the history, cinema, culture and language of this inspiring capital city.
Students will see history come to life as they visit living memorials such as the Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery. They will walk through film history as they explore the halls of the German Cinematheque Museum and take a film-themed walking tour of the city. Plus, the language and culture of Berlin will be at their fingertips as they explore the city in class outings and on their own.
If you are interested in learning more or applying, simply fill out the form below, and we will get back to you with informational packets and the application information.
The application deadline is March 13, 2026. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage students to apply early to guarantee a spot.
Berlin 2026 Highlights
This is an amazing opportunity to live in the modern metropolis of Berlin and experience daily language, life, and culture. During this living-learning course you will:
- Live like a local: You will live in a centrally located studio apartment with kitchenette and laundry facilities on site. You will have travel passes to traverse through Berlin during the program.
- See the city: Guided tours of the city, including a film and media related walking tour.
- Gain classroom connections: In this program, you get two dynamic courses to maximize your learning in Berlin. Learn more about Berlin’s language, culture, and history in our German 150 course, and explore Film and Media studies in action in our 3-unit UC/CSU transfer course, Intro to Film and Media Studies. No prior knowledge of any of these topics is required! Both are exploratory courses.
- Learn on site: Guided tours of historical monuments and museums include the Berlin Wall Memorial, the East Side Gallery, the DDR Museum, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
- Experience film: Film screenings at cultural centers and cinemas.
- Explore: Free long weekends for student-guided exploration.
Want to Learn More?
Come find out more during the Informational Sessions listed below!
Zoom and In-Person Information Sessions
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., BWL 207 and Zoom.
- Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Zoom.
- Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Zoom.
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., BWL 207 and Zoom.
- Monday, March 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., BWL 207 and Zoom.
If you have issues accessing the Zoom meeting on the listed date or if you are interested but these times don’t work for you, please reach out to Christina McDade at cmcdade@dvc.edu or Amber Shields at ashields@dvc.edu.
Scholarship Workshop
Applying for scholarships? Come to this interactive workshop to get support in writing scholarship applications for study abroad.
- Monday, February 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., BWL 207 and Zoom.
Program Dates and Costs
Students will arrive in Berlin on June 8, 2026, and will check out of accommodations on June 24, 2026. The AIFS program costs for Berlin Summer 2026 are as follows: Based on an enrollment of 15-19 students, the fee per person is $3,125. For a group of 20 or more students, the fee is $2,895. These costs include all lodging, entrance to museums and excursions, medical insurance, and AIFS services. They do not include airfare, class tuition, passport fees, and day-to-day expenses such as food.
Financial Aid
We want to support all students in coming to Berlin! Please see some examples of financial aid opportunities below. We are also happy to work with you to help you find more opportunities.
For more information, contact Sonya Castro in the DVC Financial Aid Office at scastro@dvc.edu.
Scholarship Information
- AATG Study Abroad Scholarship for College Students
- Gilman Scholarship
- Contact the Scholarship Office:
Minimum Qualifications for Berlin Summer 2026 Study Abroad
Students must be 18 years of age at the time of boarding the airplane for the program.