AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation
Do I have to take the AIFS flight?
Can I change my return flight once I am in Germany?

Housing
Where will I live?
Can I have a single room?
Can I move into my accommodations before the program starts if I am arriving in Germany early?
Can I choose my own roommates?
How is my roommate chosen?
When will I find out who my roommate is?
How many people are there per room?
Are the rooms/apartments coed?
What is provided in apartments?
How far is the housing from school?
What are the apartment restrictions?

Culture
What events will be on the cultural calendar?
Are these events good value for the money?

Money
How much money will I need?
How can I get money in Germany?

Communication
Will I be able to access the internet?
How can people contact me when I am in Germany?

General
Do I need a passport?
Do I need a visa?
What should I take with me?
What happens if I get ill abroad?
Will my hairdryer/iron work in Germany?
Can I buy textbooks and course-related materials in Germany?
What sports facilities are available?
Can I work when I am in Germany?

Transportation

Do I have to take the AIFS flight?
No. However, bear in mind that if you purchase the AIFS transportation package, the transatlantic flight will be provided with round-trip airport transfers. You will be met at the airport on arrival and taken to your residence. At the end of the program if you leave on the group flight on the group departure date, you will be picked up from your residence and taken to the airport.

Can I change my return flight once I am in Germany?
Maybe. For a fee and subject to airline approval and availability, you may try to change your return flight. You must contact the agent directly. Only date changes are allowed; there can be no changes to the routing, and there will be an agent and airline-imposed change fee that could be as high as $200-$300. If you have a connecting flight in the US, you must check whether you are able to change that, as some cannot be changed. Please note that once you receive your ticket, it is your property and therefore AIFS staff cannot make the changes for you.

Housing

Where will I live?
You will live in a Studio with other AIFS students in the popular & bohemian Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin. In most cases, four AIFS students will share two bedroom apartments (2 students per bedroom) and all the students apartment will be within the same large apartment building.

Can I have a single room?
We have very limited availability on single rooms, and they can only be guaranteed upon payment of a supplement. Contact the Connecticut office with individual requests, which will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I move into my accommodations before the program starts if I am arriving in Berlin early?
AIFS cannot supply you with accommodation until the official start date of the program. However, if you plan on arriving early, we can recommend local hotels and/or hostels.

Can I choose my own roommate?
Yes. Simply indicate your roommate preference when completing the AIFS online enrollment form and have your prospective roommate do the same. If you decide to room with someone after your enrollment form has been submitted, please can both roommates email berlinstudent@aifs.co.uk with your request and the name of your home school.

Can I move into my accommodations before the program starts if I am arriving in London early?
AIFS cannot provide you with accommodation before the start of the program. However, we can provide you with a list of accommodation options for the local area, so please contact AIFS in advance for advice if you believe you will be arriving early.

When will I find out who my roommate is?
Rooming assignments will be shared shortly before your departure for Germany.

How many people are there per room?
In the apartments there will be an average of four people, two per bedroom. Single rooms are very rare in apartments but can occasionally be found. Again, students should request these and be prepared to pay a supplement.

Are the rooms/apartments co-ed?
No, apartments are all shared by students of the same sex.

What is provided in apartments?
Your apartment comes with WiFi internet, a television, fully equipped kitchen including a stove, refrigerator, storage areas, pots, pans, dishes, silverware and either an oven or microwave. When you move into your apartment, your bed will already be made and your bed linen will be changed weekly during the scheduled apartment cleaning. Towels will also be provided and replaced once a week.

How far is the housing from school?
The apartments are just a 15 minute walk away from the program study center.

What are the apartment restrictions?
City-wide quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. We expect you and your roommates to be responsible, particularly when it comes to noise. If you ignore the noise restriction, then your neighbors are perfectly entitled to report you to the apartment management or even call the police and report you. Overnight guests are not permitted to stay in any AIFS accommodation and no posters or photos are permitted on walls as this can seriously damage the paint.

Culture

What activities will be included?
There will be a good variety of low cost & free events on offer that make the most of what Berlin has to offer. Usually included will be a river cruise, jazz concert, the chance to see a local sporting event, a trip to the opera and a beer tasting, to name but a few!

Are these events good value for the money?
Yes. The price is lower than you could find on your own as AIFS is able to get group discounts through our contacts in the area.

Money

How much money will I need?
Throughout Germany you will find plenty of ATM’s allowing access to your funds from your US bank account. Please let your bank know that you will be in Europe and intend on using your debit/credit card(s). Also check with your bank for details of any charges for out of network/overseas withdrawals. Please also be aware that your card may not work in every ATM; you may have to try a couple of different ones before accessing your funds.

Debit/Credit cards are accepted in many places throughout Germany but not everywhere, and there is often a minimum spending requirement. It is a good idea to have cash and bank card available at all times.

Some students also bring pre-paid payment cards with them as a backup in case of any emergencies. These can be loaded with funds via the internet from anywhere in the world.

If you run short of money or in the unfortunate event you have your wallet stolen, AIFS on-site staff can give you details of how to have money wired to you in an emergency situation from friends and family.

Communication

Will I be able to access the internet?
Yes, of course, WiFi will be available in each student apartment in Berlin. The study center where classes will take place also has WiFi, and there are many bars/cafes throughout the city allowing you to access the internet. At the study center, there is a small computer lab with around 10-15 desktop pcs with free printing facilities and there is also an internet cafe very close to the apartments where you can do things like scanning, photocopying & long distance phone calls.

How can people contact me when I am in Germany?
Once you have sent in your application, you will receive details of the mailing address of the apartment’s office, where you can receive any mail/packages.

German cellphones (or Handys) are reasonably priced and are a good option as you would be staying for a semester. Advice will be available if you wish to purchase one when you arrive. An added bonus of using a German cellphone is that it costs nothing to receive calls. There are no telephones in the accommodation.

The majority of our students use Skype/Facetime or similar to talk with family and friends back home by using an internet connection in Germany.

General

Do I need a passport?
You will need a valid passport to travel abroad.  If you have a passport that will expire during your program or within four months after the end of your program, renew it now.  You will not be able to board your flight without a valid passport in hand.

If you are applying for your first passport, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html. 

If you need to renew your passport, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html.

To obtain a passport you will need:

    I. Passport Application Form DS-11
    II. Proof of Citizenship
    III. Present Identification and Photocopy
    IV. Application Fee
    V. Two Passport Photos

The automated appointment number for all passport agencies is (877) 487-2778. For general passport information, you may dial the Federal Information Center at (800) 688-9889, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov.    

Do I need a visa?
If you are staying less than 90 days, no. If you plan on staying longer, you should get a tourist visa before coming. If you are not a US citizen, please talk to the nearest embassy or consulate for requirements. Do not forget to obtain visas for other countries you may wish to visit. It is not possible to do this once you are in Germany.

What should I take with me?
Not too much! Students always find that they brought clothing that they never wear and toiletries that they could have easily bought in Germany.
If you are on medication, you should bring enough to last you for the program as well as a copy of the prescription in case you need a refill.
The weather can be unpredictable, so bring warm clothes. It is best to bring clothes that you can layer to be appropriate for all kinds of weather. You should also bring a weatherproof coat. You will do a lot more walking than you are used to, so bring comfortable shoes.

You will not need much "dressy" clothing, but bring an outfit in case you go along to the opera or theater. In general, German are fairly casual dressers so full evening dress is not required, but it is nice for women to wear a dress and men casual slacks (not jeans). Bear in mind that you will most likely want to bring lots of souvenirs and gifts home with you so you will need to leave space in your suitcase!

What happens if I get ill abroad?
The AIFS Staff Member based in Berlin with your group will be able to assist you with arranging appointments and visiting the doctor. There are a large number of English-speaking doctors in the Prenzlauer Berg district. You will have to pay for everything up front including the doctor's visit and medication, then you may make a claim on your AIFS medical insurance. For this you must make sure you have filled in all the medical claim form correctly (a form will be included in the program welcome pack) and have all receipts. You will receive a refund back in the US for all costs exceeding the $50 deductible. No pre-existing conditions are covered. Please read your insurance information for conditions that may be excluded.

Will my hairdryer/iron work in Germany?
In theory, yes. However, you will need to bring the correct outlet adapter and voltage converter, and even then, past experience has shown US electrical items to work for a short while before failing. The voltage in Europe is greater and the outlets are also different, so you need to be 100% sure before plugging things in. A basic hair dryer can be purchased in Germany for approximately $25, and you can share the cost with your roommate.

Can I buy textbooks and course-related materials in Germany?
Yes, in the majority of cases you can. All major German cities have some English language bookstores, but unless your professor has asked them in advance to order your books, they may not have the exact edition your professors require.

What sports facilities are available?
Berlin is an active city with parks, gyms, pools & clubs all over the city! There are public parks such as Tiergarten for jogging and playing soccer and even table tennis! It can be difficult to become a member of a gym for less than one year as the gyms will often ask you to sign up for an official membership. Some of the larger chain gyms such as Fitness First offer 1 month long gift vouchers which enable you to use their facilities during your time away. The AIFS onsite staff member would be able to point you in the right direction of the nearest gym! Yoga is very popular in Berlin and you can find lots of local clubs and sessions advertised around your neighborhood.

Can I work when I am in Germany?
It is illegal to work in Germany unless you have a work permit. If you do want to stay and work after the program, you will need to apply for a work permit before you leave the US. It cannot be done once you are in Germany.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact AIFS at berlinstudent@aifs.co.uk or call 1-800-727-2437.

Return to the top