Overview: In the FYS “Poor But Sexy: Examining the Arts, Culture, and History of Berlin,” we will explore Berlin, Germany from many sides across the decades, in hopes of constructing a portrait of this ever-evolving city. Berlin is a diverse and exciting place with a tumultuous history that has long been, and continues to be, a center for European arts and culture, both “high” and “low.”  After the course concludes, we will journey to Berlin together for 7 days to experience the city for ourselves and deepen our understanding of the work we’ve done during the semester. We’ll climb to the top of the Reichstag for a literal overview of Berlin; take a dance lesson at a century-old dance hall once frequented by flappers and film stars; visit the headquarters of East Germany’s infamous state security force, the Stasi; and explore the city’s many diverse neighborhoods for a sense of Berlin’s multifaceted identity today

Berlin is an exceptional destination, offering a vibrant mix of history, culture, and modernity. Berlin is renowned for its dynamic lifestyle. The city has a reputation for being a creative hub, with a thriving arts scene, eclectic neighborhoods, and a lively nightlife. The cities history is both profound and complex. From its role in World War II to the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city’s past is deeply intertwined with global history. Studying here offers a unique opportunity to engage with historical narratives and their contemporary implications.

FYS 100, “Poor But Sexy: Examining the Arts, Culture, and History of Berlin.” 

This course will provide you the opportunity for deep intellectual engagement with a topic that is both challenging and relevant to your everyday lives.

Students will stay in the Hotel Schulz, a hostel-hotel hybrid located directly across the street from the Eastside Gallery, a street art exhibition made from the Berlin Wall.

NOTE: All students participating in the WFU Berlin program are required to live in program-provided housing. Housing accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.

Excursions:

• Tour of the Reichstag and its cupola
• Lunch and a dance lesson at Claerchens Ballhaus
• Guided tour of Hohenschoenhausen prison 
• Visit to the Stasi Zentrale, HQ of the East German Ministry for State Security
• Guided tour of LGBTQ+ icon Charlotte von Mahlsdorf’s restored 19th-century villa
• Additional walking tours and museum visits

First year student who has not yet taken a First Year Seminar course
Maturity
Interview with faculty member

The total cost of short-term study abroad can be broken down into three categories:

Program Fee (estimated) – Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals and other costs associated with the program. 
Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students’ spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.

Program Fee – $1,570
Airfare (estimated) – $1,400
Personal Expenses (estimated) – $639
Estimated total cost – $3,609

Scholarships are available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

Passport Information
Students need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date.

Students going on a spring short-term program need to make sure their passport is valid through at least late November of the same year.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your spring short-term abroad program. If you do, details will be shared with you by GPS. Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if a visa is required for their program or not.

Dr. Molly Knight 
Associate Teaching Professor of German Language 
knightml@wfu.edu
(336) 758-4421

Tyler Favale 
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
336-758-4072
favalet@wfu.edu