European Studies (Freie Universität Berlin)

Key Benefits:

When you study at Freie Universität Berlin, you will take German language courses along with elective courses offered in English in a program designed for study abroad students. This program is ideal if you are looking for more structure in your experience, both in and out of the classroom, while also having the opportunity to explore local university facilities. While the university has an international student office for support, some support systems commonly found in U.S. higher education may not be available. AIFS supports you with housing, excursions and day trips, cultural and social activities, on-site orientation, an on-site program director, 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive global medical insurance, personal and professional development opportunities, a green initiative, additional optional excursions, and an optional AIFS flight package.

Level of Immersion
Language(s) of Instruction:
English
German
Features
Courses with Study Abroad Students
Local University Program
Internship Opportunities
Language Intensive Program
No Language Pre-Requisites

Housing Abroad

Apartment
Homestay

Program Dates

Fall Semester: late August to mid-December
Spring Semester: late January to mid-May

Housing at Seattle University

Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.

Housing Residence Life

Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preferenceas best as they can.

Housing Application

Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates

Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May

Disciplines

Courseload

Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.

Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the students' time abroad.

Credit Range: 24-30
Credit System: ECTS Credits
Typical Course load: 4-5
Credit Per Course: 6

Credit Conversion
Transcript Issued By: Freie Universität Berlin
Credit Conversion Rate: 1 ECTS Credit = 0.80 SU Quarter Credits. Note: if credit conversion does not equate a whole or half quarter credit, credits will be rounded down to the nearest whole or half quarter credit per course
Quarter Range: 18-22.5

EAO Historic Course Search

Academic Policy

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Transfer of Credit & Placeholder Course

Transfer Credits

Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.

Placeholder Course

The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.

Program Fees

Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.

Fall Semester: $8,000
Spring Semester: $8,000

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.

Budget Worksheets

Academic Year Fall Semester Spring Semester

Participation Costs

For SU-Sponsored programs, you will be billed for Seattle University (1) Tuition, (2) Technology Fee, and (3) Program Fee per term abroad. These and estimated additional expenses are outlined in the program's detailed Budget Worksheet. Students are encouraged to complete the Budget Worksheet and discuss applicable financial aid with Student Financial Services.

Payment

For SU-Sponsored programs, pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. The Program Fee is labeled as "MSA Fee" on your bill. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University’s quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual.

Seattle University handles payments to AIFS on your behalf for the program cost. Additional expenses not included in Seattle University’s Program Fee, like special course fees, housing upgrades, and optional excursions, may be billed to you directly by AIFS. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.

Insurance

Comprehensive global medical insurance is provided by the program provider.

Scholarships

There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.

Scholarship Opportunities Cost Comparison Calculator

Student Journey

Approximate Timeline	Phase	More details
Sept-Jan	Exploration	Students will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals.
Feb 1	Apply	Students will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st.
Late Feb/Early Mar	Nominations	Education Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs.
Mar-May (Fall) Sept-Dec (Winter) Jan-March (Spring)	Preparation	Students will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc.

Application Steps

Complete Module I of Global Engagement with Education Abroad Canvas course, including Education Abroad 101 and attending a Planning Meeting with your Education Advisor.
Complete the SU-Sponsored/SU-Exchange Program Application in Module II of the Canvas course by February 1 for selected program.

If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!

Climate

Spring: Mild temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), making it a pleasant time to explore parks and gardens.
Summer: Warm weather between 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), ideal for outdoor activities and festivals.
Autumn: Cool, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). The fall season brings colorful foliage, especially in the countryside.
Winter: Cold, with temperatures between 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F). Snow is common, particularly in southern regions near the Alps.

Travel Resources

Air: Major international airports are located in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin.
Train: Germany has an extensive rail network operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), including high-speed trains (ICE) connecting major cities. For details, visit Deutsche Bahn.
Public Transport: Buses, trams, and metro systems operate in most cities, with highly efficient transportation networks. Cycling is also popular with bike-friendly infrastructure.

Cultural Resources

Historical Sites: Key attractions include the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, and remnants of the Berlin Wall.
Language: German is the official language, though English is widely understood, especially in urban areas and educational institutions.
Festivals: Notable festivals include Oktoberfest (celebrated in Munich), the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), and Germany’s famous Christmas markets.

Food & Diet

Cuisine: German food features hearty dishes such as bratwurst, pretzels, sauerkraut, and beer. Regional variations include schnitzel and spaetzle.
Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available, especially in larger cities. Gluten-free and other dietary preferences are also catered to.

Embassy/Consulate

U.S. Embassy in Berlin: Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin (Phone: +49-30-8305-0)
U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt: Gießener Str. 30, 60435 Frankfurt am Main (Phone: +49-69-7535-0)

Identity-Specific Considerations

Accessibility: Germany offers generally good accessibility, with modern buildings and public transport equipped for individuals with disabilities. More information can be found at Accessible Germany.
LGBTQ+: Germany is progressive and accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in cities like Berlin and Cologne, which have vibrant LGBTQ+ communities and events like Pride parades.
Religion: Germany is religiously diverse, with Christianity being the dominant faith, alongside growing Muslim, Jewish, and non-religious communities, reflecting its multicultural society.
Race & Ethnicity: Germany is home to diverse ethnic groups, including a significant immigrant population, but racial minorities may experience discrimination and disparities in social and economic opportunities.
Gender: Germany has strong legal protections for gender equality, though women face ongoing challenges such as wage gaps and underrepresentation in leadership roles.

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?
A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.

Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by AIFS.

U.S. passport holders do not need to apply for a visa before traveling to Germany and can enter Europe on a 90-day “tourist visa” which is provided on arrival in Germany (Non-U.S. citizens may need to apply for a Type–D national visa before traveling to Germany and should consult their respective consulates). AIFS will offer additional information and guidance before departure and on-site; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in AIFS’s nor Seattle University's control. Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.

European Studies (Freie Universität Berlin)

About this Program

Program Highlights

Level of Immersion

Features

Housing Abroad

Program Dates

Housing at Seattle University

Housing Residence Life

Housing Application

Disciplines

Courseload

Credit Conversion

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

Transfer Credits

Placeholder Course

Program Fees

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Budget Worksheets

Participation Costs

Payment

Insurance

Scholarships

Student Journey

Application Steps

Climate

Travel Resources

Cultural Resources

Food & Diet

Embassy/Consulate

Identity-Specific Considerations

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?

The experience at a glance

Map