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  • Locations: Berlin, Germany
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester
  • This program is currently not accepting applications.
Program Description:
Berlin Reichstag

FU-BEST Berlin European Studies Program of Freie Universität Berlin

Freie Universität Berlin European Studies Program (FU-BEST) is a semester program offered in a Fall (September-December) and a Spring (February-May) semesters. Its mission is to educate responsible, global citizens by linking high-quality academic instruction with a broader international experience. FU-BEST aims to provide an intensive and diverse study abroad experience to participants through combining three essential elements: German language instruction, a varied menu of subject courses, and the concept of the “extended classroom.” Small classes, expert faculty, extra-curricular cultural student activities and the availability of day-to-day guidance and support are designed to enable students to make the most of this unique educational opportunity. Using the city of Berlin with its rich cultural, political, and historical offerings as a resource, all courses integrate local field-trips into their curriculum and thus profit from the outstanding location of this fascinating metropolis.

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Freie Universität is a Direct Enrollment Program. Students are enrolled as regular students at the partner university and pay a Program Fee to Mason that includes tuition. While all Mason students are eligible for this program, Direct Enrollment Programs are the most economical option for out-of-state tuition payers to go abroad. The most economical option for in-state tuition payers are Bilateral Exchange Programs.
Eligibility

Students must have completed at least 45 credits at the time of departure with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Students should not study abroad the last semester of their senior year if they plan to graduate on time.
Recent transfer students cannot study abroad their first semester at Mason.

Credits OfferedStudents may take courses in topics such as the following:Cultural studies
Art History
Comparative Literature
European Union
German History
German and European Politics
Sociology/Psychology
Film Studies
Legal studies
Architecture
Environmental Studies
Transatlantic Relations
Business
Music History
Philosophy

Mandatory enrollment in German language, offered at all levels, during the Fall and Spring semesters (6-8 credit hours for intensive instruction at all levels and 3-4 credit hours for non-intensive instruction at the beginner level). The FU-BEST program does not require knowledge of German prior to enrollment.

Source
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Program Details

Freie Universität is a Direct Enrollment Program. Students are enrolled as regular students at the partner university and pay a Program Fee to Mason that includes tuition. While all Mason students are eligible for this program, Direct Enrollment Programs are the most economical option for out-of-state tuition payers to go abroad. The most economical option for in-state tuition payers are Bilateral Exchange Programs.

Eligibility

  • Students must have completed at least 45 credits at the time of departure with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Students should not study abroad the last semester of their senior year if they plan to graduate on time.
  • Recent transfer students cannot study abroad their first semester at Mason.

Credits Offered

Students may take courses in topics such as the following:
  • Cultural studies
  • Art History
  • Comparative Literature
  • European Union
  • German History
  • German and European Politics
  • Sociology/Psychology
  • Film Studies
  • Legal studies
  • Architecture
  • Environmental Studies
  • Transatlantic Relations
  • Business
  • Music History
  • Philosophy

Mandatory enrollment in German language, offered at all levels, during the Fall and Spring semesters (6-8 credit hours for intensive instruction at all levels and 3-4 credit hours for non-intensive instruction at the beginner level). The FU-BEST program does not require knowledge of German prior to enrollment.

Source

Choosing Courses Abroad

There is no list of pre-approved classes for you to take on this direct enrollment program. It is your responsibility to select courses and get them approved for transfer credit. You must complete a Petition for Transfer of Credits Form to ensure that your courses will transfer back to Mason. While this form will not be due to Mason Study Abroad until after you have been accepted, it is recommended that you begin this process when you first consider applying. Identify courses at the host institution that are similar to those at Mason that you need to take. This will increase your chances of receiving transfer credit approval from the Departmental Approvers who must sign your petition form. Follow complete instructions from the link above and contact your program officer if you have questions. 

Make sure you find plenty of primary AND alternate course options before deciding on a specific program. Schedules are subject to change and registration in your preferred classes is not guaranteed, so you should have sufficient alternate course options. Also, please keep in mind that you must enroll in the equivalency of at least 12 U.S. credits per semester.

Housing

You have the option of choosing a homestay or a fully furnished, single occupancy studio apartment.

Program Cost:

Undergraduate - $10,950
Graduate - $12,450

Contact Information

Program Officer

Dianna Leonard
Dianna Leonard
dleonar7@gmu.edu
703-993-3604


Dates / Deadlines:

There are currently no active application cycles for this program.

This program is currently not accepting applications.