IES Berlin: Security Studies and International Affairs
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Language of Instruction: English, German
- Class Eligibility: Juniors
Introduction
Berlin, a center for modern European history, has no equal for leaving its imprint on the political, social, and cultural history of the 20th Century. One of Europe’s most vibrant cities, Berlin boasts a wide array of museums, art galleries, and theaters. Its taste for artistic and social experimentation and effervescent nightlife are once again alive today as they were in the 1920s. The IES Center is a five-minute walk to the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate and the German Parliament.
- Visa:
Not required for US citizens; must obtain a temporary residence permit. Non-US citizens should consult with IES and the Office of International Student Support before applying to the program.
- Fees: Students pay regular tuition to Haverford College. Haverford is then responsible for making payments to IES. Students pay housing costs directly to IES.
Academic Overview
Requirements
No previous German language study is required. Students are required to take one appropriate-level IES German language course. *This program does not fulfill Haverford’s language requirement.
Academic Credit
Each semester, students must carry 15 semester credit hours. Students are not permitted to take less than 15 credits unless they have the permission of their dean and advisor in advance. Major, minor, and concentration transfer credit will only be granted for courses in which students received a grade of a C or above.
Curriculum
The city of Berlin has had a tumultuous geopolitical history: its destruction in World War II, its division during the Cold War that made it the City of Spies, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of Germany, and the country’s growth as a major cultural, economic, and political force in the 21st century. This history and Germany’s role as Europe’s major political and economic power make Berlin the ideal place to study Security and International Relations.
Your coursework takes advantage of Berlin’s position as Germany’s capital, and the country’s role as a leading state in the European Union. The English-taught courses explore the history and challenges of European security policy, espionage, and strategic intelligence during the Cold War and beyond, the roots of global terrorism, and the challenges of migration. You will additionally be able to attend courses on the city’s development and culture from the Metropolitan and Urban Studies program.
Course Highlights
Anthropology; Architecture; Art History; Cultural Studies; Environmental Studies; Film Studies; Geography; German Language; German Studies; History; International Politics and Economics; International Relations; Marketing; Museum Studies; Political Science; Sociology; Urban Studies.
Note: Changes occur frequently. Students are responsible for finding the classes they need and consulting the official site of the institution.
Non-Academic Overview
Orientation
The IES Comprehensive Orientation and Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with a virtual orientation to help students prepare for their IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered. The orientation introduces students to the IES Abroad Berlin staff, fellow students, and the city of Berlin.
Number of Students
Enrollment of 30-40 students each semester.
Housing/Meal Plans
Living with Locals – IES Abroad housing gives students the unique opportunity to live with local Berlin residents throughout the city. Students will have their own furnished room in an apartment shared by Berlin residents. Rooms are rented from single adults, German university students and a small number of “traditional families.” Meals are not included with the program fee. Students typically prepare their own meals at the host’s kitchen or dine in affordable student cafeterias or restaurants.
Apartments – IES offers single rooms or same-gender shared rooms in mixed-gender student apartments. Live with other IES Abroad students in apartments with fully equipped kitchens.
Haverford students may not opt for housing not arranged by the program.
Notes
Additional Resources
- Support for LGTBQIA+ Students
- IES Abroad Student Diversity & Access
- Mental Health & Self Care While Abroad
- Diversity Abroad
Options
- Semester
Dates
- Semester I: Late August to mid December
- Semester II: Early February to late May
Application Deadlines
- Semester I: March 15
- Semester II: October 5