Learning Abroad: Berlin

Sign-ups for the May 2023 trip to Berlin are now open.
This program is open only to graduate students.
To reserve your spot, fill out this form If you have any questions about this program, please contact Dr. Marina Sebastijanovic at msebastijanovic@uh.edu..
COVID-19 Statement
All students participating in the Berlin Learning Abroad program must fully comply with all University of Houston and CDC international travel recommendations in place at the time of this program. It is the students' responsibility to understand and follow all vaccination requirements (including acceptable vaccine types and verification methods), COVID-19 testing requirements and travel requirements (e.g., wearing masks). To learn about travel advisories to Germany visit the U.S. State Department website.
2023 program dates: Sunday, May 21 - Saturday, May 27
Cost: $2,200
Quick Links
Student Experience
In addition, here is a fun student-made video on YouTube of the 2015 Berlin Learning Abroad trip.
“Nobody intends to put up a wall!”
—Walter Ulbricht, Leader of the GDR, June, 1961, two months before the Berlin Wall was built
“All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!'”
—U.S. President John F. Kennedy, speaking in West Berlin, June 1963
“Berlin combines the culture of New York, the traffic system of Tokyo, the nature of Seattle, and the historical treasures of, well, Berlin.”
—Hiroshi Montomura,U.S. Law professor, 2004
What students have said about previous trips
“Going on the Berlin Learning Abroad has been one of the best decisions I have made while studying for my MBA at the University of Houston. The professors were wonderful during our stay and were very helpful. It was great interacting with my fellow classmates during the trip. Being able to be exposed to Berlin's city, culture, education, and businesses was an awesome experience. I without a doubt would recommend the Berlin Learning Abroad to current and future students of The Bauer MBA program.”
Adrienne Hall, MBA student.“This trip has undoubtedly been one of the greatest highlights of my MBA career. It was a highly informative, well planned, and enjoyable experience.”
Rob Marks, MBA student.“One of the best experiences I have ever had. It was both enjoyable and educational. I highly recommend this program.”
Jimmy Promubol, MBA student.“This trip was one of the best things I have ever done in my life!”
Michael E. Williams, MBA student.“The learning abroad trip to Berlin, Germany was the most enjoyable trip that I have been on. It was a great experience to be able to gain the first hand knowledge about another culture, businesses and country.”
Melinda Peters, MBA student.“This was truly one of the best experiences of my lifetime. I learned more than I ever dreamed of and met lifelong friends. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
Jessica Lyons, MBA student.“Whether you are a World Traveler, or have never left the state, this trip is for you. You will quickly bond with other students in the program, and the interactive education will keep you engaged the entire trip.”
Janna Ball, MBA student.“The learning abroad experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You most likely will never have an opportunity to be able to learning abroad and learn internationally as you do with this program. To top it off I meet great people that have been in the MBA program all along and yet never have gotten to know. Through the program have a whole new group of friends and business colleagues.”
Allison Meier, MBA student.“This was an unbelievable experience. It was an excellent mix of company visits, lectures and free time to explore Berlin and Poland. I would highly recommend everyone with the means to participate in a learning abroad program to do so at their earliest convenience.”
Randell Rios, MBA student.“Today's global business community demands a cross-cultural perspective. The Berlin Learning Abroad program gave me a taste of this perspective by providing the opportunity to witness first-hand business and cultural experiences that will be required of any MBA graduate. I highly recommend this program to all fellow MBA students. The investment is priceless and will give you lifelong experiences and friendships.”
Scott Cooley, MBA student.“The Berlin trip is a great experience. There is no better way to conclude your MBA than to take a learning abroad trip.”
F. Roomi Hussian, MBA student.
Cost & Payment Information
The cost of the program is $2,200. This includes hotel accommodations (double rooms), program excursions, and seminars. Daily breakfast at the hotel, a welcome dinner and a closing lunch are also included. The cost of the trip does not include airfare, health insurance, transportation to and from the airport, UH tuition, or any other meals. Because of the current international political climate, we reserve the right to cancel the trip anytime prior to departure should we believe that student safety is compromised. In such a case, we will refund all fee payments made, but are not be responsible for airline ticket reimbursements or other related incurred expenses. We recommend that students purchase travel insurance.
Program Cost Includes:
- Hotel accommodations
- 6 nights, double occupancy
- Breakfast included
- Guided City tour
- Company and site tours
Program Cost Does Not Include:
- UH Tuition: Each course is 3 credit hours
- Airfare
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Voluntary Excursions
- Other Meals
International Travel Information
Participants must have a valid passport. Because a copy of your passport is required to sign up for the trip, if you do not have one you should apply for one as soon as possible. Students that are not U.S. citizens may require a Visa to enter/exit Germany. It is the student's responsibility to verify visa requirements for their nationality. It is also the student's responsibility to acquire all necessary visas. Go to the state department's web site to get more information about international travel.
Arrival
Students are responsible for their own arrival travel arrangements. The program begins at 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 21st. Because most flights leave Houston in the afternoon and arrive in Berlin the following day, students will have to depart Houston on Saturday, May 20th.
During the Program
We will arrange all travel during the program at no additional expense to the student. This includes day trips, tours, and visits to local businesses. Students will be given a week pass for unlimited travel on Berlin subways, S- bahns , and busses.
Departure
The program ends on Saturday, May 27th. Students may depart at any time that day.
Accommodation Information
Students will be provided double rooms upon arrival on Sunday, May 21st until departure on Saturday, May 27th. If available, students may request a single room (additional fee applies). Breakfast is included, but other meals, phone charges, laundry, and other charges are not. Students will need to give the hotel a credit card upon arrival to cover these additional charges.
If students desire to arrive in Berlin before Sunday or depart Berlin after Saturday, all arrangements for accommodations need to be made directly with the hotel.
Information About…
Courses
Students must enroll in at least one of these two courses to participate in this program:
- MANA 7346
Global Human Resource Management
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
Dr. Steve Werner - MANA 7343
International Legal Environment of Management
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
Dr. Je'Anna Abbott
Information About.....
Courses
- MARK 7370
Luxury Brand Management
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Email: Dr. Vanessa Patrick
Profile - MARK 7369
International Marketing
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Email: Prof. Amy Vandaveer
Profile
Course Details:
Courses to be during Summer Session II timeframe from May 29 – June 4, 2017
- All coursework outside of the weeklong trip to Paris will be online
Information About.....
Courses
- MANA 4397
Regional Issues in Global Management
Email: Dr. Steve Werner - MANA 4397
Positive Leadership in a Global Context
Email: Dr. Je’Anna Abbott
Tentative itinerary
Although the itinerary for this trip is still tentative, past trips have included:
- Czech Republic businesses
(Skoda, Oracle, Czechinvest ) - Czech Republic University
(Centre of Economics Research and Graduate Ed. at Charles Univ.) - Walking tour of Prague
About
- The City
- China Visa Requirement
- Travel Information from the U.S. Department of State
- Scholarships
Courses
MANA 7353 Regional Issues in Global Management: China
- Dr. Nikhil Celly
- Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
MANA 7397 International Environment of Business
- Professor Daniel Currie
- Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Tentative Itinerary
- Company Visits
- Market Study
- Cultural Exploration
- Personal Time on Own