Few cities in the world are as inextricably tied to a specific time, a unique event in human history, as Berlin. Throughout the troubled, war-ravaged 20th century, there were perhaps a handful of cities on the map that came to symbolize all the difficulties-and ultimately the triumph-of that turbulent era. Beijing is one, what with the student uprising in Tiananmen Square. And Versailles, perhaps, is another, if one considers the signing of the treaty that brought the hostilities of the first world war to an end. And then, of course, there's Paris, both its literary incarnation in the Jazz Age, its occupied one during the second world war, and its unsettled one during the student protests of 1967.
But beyond all of these, Berlin exists in a category all its own. Divided in 1945 into a communist East and democratic West, Berlin came to symbolize the division felt all over the world during the course of the Cold War. And indeed, its symbolic value was matched by its intrinsic one, too: The ways in which each side of this divided city developed, and the ways in which the people yearned, ultimately, for reconciliation with their brothers and sisters on the other side of that wall, embodied all the conflicted and ambivalent feelings people all over the world were experiencing by the end of the 1980's.
Study Abroad Programs in Berlin
And then, miraculously, the wall came down. In one great display of solidarity, of popular uprising, the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. That night, sledge hammers were taken to the concrete barrier. That night, millions of people all over the world, voiceless, oppressed, mistreated by the vagaries of 20th century history, found their own tales of loss and ultimate redemption in the cries of jubilation of those Berliners knocking down the wall.
That night, David Hasselhoff stood atop the wall, looked out over a sea of humanity, and sang "Looking For Freedom."
History ensued.
The city, of course, is about much more than its 20th century history, and modern Berlin is undoubtedly one of the most progressive, exciting cities in the world-perfect for students to make the most of their time abroad.
"Berlin has a rich art scene, and it is home to hundreds of art galleries. The city is host to the Art Forum annual international art fair. Many young Germans and international artists continue to settle in the city, and Berlin has established itself as an important center of youth and popular culture in Europe. Signs of this expanding role were the 2003 announcement that the annual Popkomm, Europe's largest music industry convention, would move to Berlin after 15 years in Cologne. Shortly thereafter, MTV also decided to move its German headquarters and main studios from Munich to Berlin. Universal Music Group opened its European headquarters on the banks of the River Spree in an area known as the mediaspree. Since 2005, Berlin has been listed as a UNESCO City of Design" (www.en.wikipedia.org).
Students, then, will find themselves perfectly at home in this bustling, exuberant city. And from the restaurants and bars to the nightclubs and concert halls, there is sure to be something for everyone in Berlin.
Because of its international reputation, Berlin draws students from all over the world. As a result, students will find themselves immersed in the new global culture that is so talked about these days. For as a world city just as much as it is a German one, Berlin's international flair is sure to enrich the life of anyone who visits or lives there.
But there is more to the Berlin experience than the city itself, and students will "find many other charming places in Brandenburg, the federal state surrounding Berlin. Varied landscapes under blue skies, large lake and river territories and numerous sports and recreation offers make a visit in Brandenburg worthwhile. The Baltic Sea and cities like Hamburg, Dresden, or Leipzig can be easily reached from Berlin or can be stopped at when traveling to or from Berlin-they are well worth a visit, too" (www.berlin-tourist-information.de).
And because Berlin is also considered one of the major cities in Europe, there are any number of universities, colleges, and educational institutions from which to choose when considering a semester or a year there. Indeed, no matter what you study, from art history to mathematics to zoology, there is sure to be a program that fits your needs.
And that, really, is the nature of Berlin. It is a city whose past is present yet never overbearing, whose present is as exciting as any in the world, and whose future grows brighter with every passing year. Visiting or studying there will reward you in ways you never could have dreamed.
