Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the capital of Germany and the country’s most populous city, with nearly 3.5 million people. As Germany itself was divided between East and West, Berlin was divided by the infamous “Wall” from 1961 until 1989. While the legacy of its unique history is ever-present, as seen in its architecture, monuments, and its people, Berlin has experienced a remarkable revival in the decades since reunification.
It is a vibrant, multicultural center, home to world-class museums (including those located on Museum Island in the Mitte District), major universities, and a multitude of parks, gardens, and recreational areas that make Berlin one of the most “livable” big cities in the world.
From the grandeur of its traditional structures to the striking aesthetic of its modern design, Berlin is an ideal city in which to pursue the study of art and architecture.
About the Program
Hobart and William Smith Colleges offer a program focused on architectural studies and visual art in Berlin in conjunction with Norwich University in Vermont. Students will have the opportunity to blend classroom and studio experience with field studies in and around Berlin and excursions to other German cities. Courses are given by faculty with wide-ranging academic and professional experience and local architects are often invited as guest lecturers. Experience Berlin as a laboratory for innovation, art, culture & design. Learn more about the program here.
Architecture students enrolled in this program will take the following 4 courses:
- Design Studio: Architectural Design
- Inventing the Modern City
- Urban Landscape: Public and Open Space in Berlin
- German Language
Art students enrolled in this program will take the following 4 courses:
- Visual Art Studio
- Inventing the Modern City
- Urban Landscape: Public and Open Space in Berlin
- German Language
ACADEMIC FOCUS
This program is intended for students focusing on Architectural Studies or Visual Arts with an interest in learning more about Germany and in developing German language skills.
This is a highly selective program and only those applying for and receiving a Julius G. Blocker ’53 Fellowship will be considered for admission. Blocker Fellows receive funding to offset a variety of program costs (see the Money Matters section below for further information on the Fellowship and application details). The program is open to juniors and seniors (2nd semester sophomores may be considered in exceptional cases) majoring in Art or Architectural Studies in good academic and social standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must have completed at least one semester of college-level German prior to departure and must take a German language course in Berlin. Students are expected to be enrolled in a German language course at their appropriate level in the semester before departure. Due to the challenging nature of study abroad, student academic and disciplinary records will be carefully screened.
Students will reside in a shared apartment arranged through the Norwich University program and will typically prepare their own meals at home or take meals in affordable student cafeterias or in local restaurants.
As an integral part of their coursework, students explore places of historical and architectural importance in Germany, led by Norwich University instructors or local experts. In addition to sites in and around Berlin, students in recent programs have visited locations like Bernau, Caputh, Dessau, Dresden, Eisenhüttenstadt, Potsdam, and Weimar.
Students will be charged standard HWS tuition and fees and a $600 administrative fee. This will cover tuition for a four-course semester, health insurance, onsite orientation, program-related activities and excursions, and accommodations (accommodation costs are covered by the Julius G. Blocker '53 Endowed Fund - see below). Blocker Fellows receive a stipend intended to offset the cost of meals, airfare, books and course materials, local transportation, and residence permit.
Additional expenses not covered include laundry, entertainment, and independent travel. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of personal expenses because student spending habits differ considerably. We would suggest a minimum of $1500 for these additional expenses. However, students on a tight budget should be able to manage with less. If you are concerned about finances, we strongly encourage you to talk to the CGE staff who can offer information and advice based on your specific situation.
Only those applying for and receiving a Julius G. Blocker ’53 Fellowship will be considered for admission. Further information about this funding opportunity is available HERE. You may complete the Blocker Fellowship application materials (including a Blocker-specific essay and related questions) as part of your online study abroad application, all of which must be submitted by the published application deadline.
HWS students must complete all components of the Global Education application in order to be considered for admission to this program.
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This program is offered every semester.
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All components of the application must be submitted online by the published deadline. Specific deadline dates are set each semester and typically will be in late September/early October (for Fall programs) and late February/early March (for Spring programs).
Program Handbook
IMPORTANT: The handbook(s) below is/are the most recent handbook(s) published for this program. A new version, with updated information, will be made available each semester. Program participants will receive their updated handbook approximately 2-3 months prior to their program’s start date.
FALL HANDBOOK / SPRING HANDBOOK
Please DO NOT MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS until you have received final confirmation of the program start/finish dates for the specific semester you are attending. Dates included in versions of the program handbook intended for previous semesters do not necessarily apply to future programs.
NOTE: The information above is subject to change. Please see the CGE for more information.
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