Learning Abroad: Berlin

 

 

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Quick Links

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Student Experience

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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.

 

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Cost & Payment Information

The cost of the Berlin study abroad trip is $1,950 and it includes hotel accommodations (double rooms), continental breakfast, program excursions, and seminars. 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

Fee Payments

To secure a space in the program, students must first complete a digital application in ViaTRM through our Learning Abroad office and then submit this form. Once these two steps are completed, a non-refundable $300 deposit fee will be charged to student's accounts. Payment of the $300 deposit commits you to participation in the program.

Final acceptance into the program will occur upon the receipt of all materials and payment of the deposit fee.

The fee is non-refundable unless we cancel the trip.

Cost Savings & Scholarships

Students have found a number of ways to reduce their costs associated with this trip. First, some students use their frequent flier miles to save on airfare costs. Second, many students have convinced their employers to pay for the program as part of a employer's educational reimbursement program. Third, some students who apply for scholarships receive some money, so we strongly recommend that participants apply for scholarships. Information about these can be found at http://www.uh.edu/learningabroad/scholarships/

 

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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 10, 2020 with an introduction to the program by the on-site program coordinator. Because most flights leave Houston in the afternoon and arrive in Berlin the following day, students will have to depart Houston on Saturday, May 9.

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 16. Students may depart at any time that day. Students are responsible to choose their own departure travel arrangements. Take a taxi from the Hotel to the Berlin airport or take a motor coach that will be coordinated for those times when a majority of students are departing. Unlike the arrival flight, students leaving Berlin on Saturday will arrive in Houston the same day.

 

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Accommodation Information

Students will be provided double rooms (unless the additional fee for a single room was selected) upon arrival on Sunday until departure on Saturday. The hotel should have a record of a room under your name.

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. We recommend that students wishing to reserve additional nights should do so as soon as possible to insure the availability of accommodations. We further recommend that students seriously consider spending some extra days in Berlin, since the program does not provide much free time. In the past, students who arrived early or stayed late were very glad they did.

 

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Reserving a spot for the trip

Graduate Students Only. 2022 Program will open soon for sign-ups.

To participate in the trip, send Dr. Sebastijanovic (msebastijanovic@uh.edu) an email requesting a spot in the program. Once you complete the two-step sign-up process, a non-refundable $300 deposit fee will be charged to the student's account. Students are accepted into the program upon payment of the deposit fee.

Sign-up Process

To secure your space in the trip, students need to:

1. Complete an application in Via TRM through the Learning Abroad office
2. Complete this form