Berlin, Germany SPRING 2026

Contact your WCCCSA Campus Coordinator for more information about spending the spring quarter in Berlin.

PROGRAM DOCUMENTS

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Berlin is a vibrant and historically layered city that offers study abroad students a unique opportunity to engage with the past while experiencing a forward-thinking, multicultural metropolis. As Germany’s capital, Berlin is known for its dynamic blend of old and new—where remnants of the Berlin Wall stand near cutting-edge art galleries, and centuries-old architecture coexists with modern design. Students can walk through history in neighborhoods like Mitte and Kreuzberg, explore global perspectives through the city’s diverse communities, and participate in a thriving academic and cultural scene. Studying abroad in Berlin means living in a city that constantly reinvents itself, making it an inspiring setting for learning, exploration, and growth.

LOCATION

Classes will be held at the facilities of AIFS (Amercian Institute for Foreign Study) located in the heart of Berlin, a few blocks from the Museum Island and vibrant Alexander Platz. With large access to many bus and U-Bahn lines, it is easy to get to classes from anywhere in the city. Or take a stroll and discover the unique neighborhoods on foot.

CAMPUS & CLASSROOMS

Wi-Fi is available throughout the AIFS student center, and you will have access to a printer.

HOUSING

Twin-bedded studio apartments in a centrally located residence in Berlin. Maximum 45-minute travel time to the AIFS Center. Each apartment will have single beds, a bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchenette. Bed linens, towels, and wireless internet will all be provided.

TRANSPORTATION

Travel pass: unlimited travel on the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, trams and regional trains in zones A & B of Berlin for the duration of the program, plus an extension to the travel pass for any activities taking place in zone C.

FACULTY

Dr. Don Ludwig views travel and cultural experiences as meaningful and life changing. In his words, “cross-cultural experiences serve as a conduit to expand our worldview and deepen our commitment to equity and social justice because it allows us to see our humanity in others”.

As an undergraduate, two study tours abroad are largely what pulled “Don” out of a culture of poverty: Europe (1984) & Israel/Greece/Egypt (1987). In graduate school, Dr. Ludwig spent three weeks in Pakistan (1994) studying the Islamic culture and observing adult literacy programs and three weeks in Thailand (2001) studying Buddhism. He has also led high school and college students on short-term service-learning and community development projects to Mexico (4), Cuba (2), Jamaica (2), Honduras and South Africa. Most recently, Dr. Ludwig was the Faculty Lead on the Rome Study Abroad in Spring 2023.

Dr. Ludwig began as a first-generation college student at Spokane Community College (1984-85) and later graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from Whitworth University (1987). He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary (1996) and Rutgers University (1997) where he obtained both the MDiv and MSW degree. He later received his Ph.D. in Social Research from Portland State University and the International University of Graduate Studies (2009). Dr. Ludwig has also taught at Portland State University and George Fox University and has worked for many years as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) in the Philadelphia and Portland metro areas.

Currently, Don is a tenured Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice at Clark College in Vancouver, WA, where he also serves as both the Sociology Department Chair and Behavioral Sciences Division Chair. Dr. Ludwig’s classes broaden students’ understanding of human experience and empower them with tools to create a more equitable and just world. He uses a cross-disciplinary lens of sociology, psychology, history, religious studies, and anthropology to study social life in unique, active, and engaging ways and always seeks to connect culturally relevant experiences into the learning process.

PROPOSED CLASSES (only two of the sociology classes will be offered and this will be finalized soon)

SOC&101/SOC&201 – Intro to Sociology: Berlin – Memory, Art & Entertainment (*Students may take this class as either 101 or 201)

Berlin’s past is written in its streets, art, culture, and institutions—making it an ideal setting to explore sociology in action. We’ll confront big questions: How does a democracy crumble from within? What forces led to fascism and genocide? At the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, we’ll trace the rise, fall, and rebirth of German democracy, examine the Berlin Wall’s legacy—still shaping EastWest relations and immigration debates—and uncover the real story behind the tense Cold War standoff at Checkpoint Charlie. During visits to Sachsenhausen and the Holocaust Memorial, we’ll wrestle with the mechanisms of terror and collective remembrance. At the Stasi Museum, we’ll compare East Germany’s surveillance state to today’s AI-driven monitoring—exploring freedom, privacy, and the enduring influence of memory on social control.

Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene—from sports to food to nightlife—tells a powerful story of resistance and transformation. We’ll decode the politics of football rivalries between Hertha BSC and Union Berlin, visit a Street Food Thursday at Markthalle Neun to see how food reclaims heritage in a globalized city, and dive into the underground club scene where techno’s Cold War origins still echo in today’s world-famous nightlife and open attitudes toward sexuality. Through site visits, scavenger hunts, and reflective discussions, we’ll explore how memory, art, and collective action shape identity and social change—inviting students to see how they, too, can help write history.

Sociology 250: Belonging in Berlin – Family & Identity Across Cultures

What does it mean to belong—to a family, a culture, or a place? In this immersive course, we’ll explore how families in Berlin have been shaped by history, migration, and resilience. Through site visits to museums, neighborhoods, and street art installations, we’ll uncover how Berliners tell their stories across generations. From Käthe Kollwitz’s powerful portraits of working-class families to modern expressions of identity in Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg, we’ll experience firsthand how personal and collective memory shape family life in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities.

The course takes students on a three-part journey—exploring family through interpersonal, intercultural, and international perspectives—using Berlin as a dynamic, real-world classroom. We’ll reflect on our own family experiences while engaging with parenting norms, youth culture, and social expectations in Germany. We’ll meet with local families, attend cultural events like Walpurgis Night in Mauerpark, and even explore Berlin’s legendary techno scene to examine how freedom and identity intersect. By the end of the course, we’ll not only see family through a cross-cultural lens—we’ll better understand our own stories within a global context.

Sociology 161: Sacred Crossroads – Exploring World Religions in Berlin

Discover the Sacred Crossroads of Berlin—where cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, and meditation halls share the same skyline. In this immersive study abroad course, we’ll explore the rich traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Atheism—not just through textbooks, but through real-world encounters that bring belief systems to life. Through guided visits, guest speakers, and reflective discussions, we’ll examine how rituals, symbols, and spiritual practices shape individuals, families, and societies—and how people across cultures find meaning, purpose, and belonging.

From Berlin’s newest mosque to the haunting brass plaques of the Stolpersteine, from the Bonhoeffer-Haus to a Buddhist meditation center, this course explores the ways religion—and non-religion—both reflect and challenge power, culture, and identity. Whether you’re curious about faith, fascinated by philosophy, or passionate about social justice, this journey invites you to experience Berlin as a living classroom of sacred crossroads. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

The third class will be a German culture class taught by a local faculty.

EXCURSIONS/ACTIVITIES

• A guided tour of the Reichstag.
• A daytrip to Potsdam including round-trip transfer by public transport, a private bus for sightseeing in Potsdam, a 45-minute tour of Cecilienhof Palace and a guided tour of
• Sanssouci Palace with the services of a professional, English-speaking guide.
• A half-day excursion to the Memorial & Museum Sachsenhausen, including round-trip public transportation, entrance and audio guides.
• A half-day sightseeing tour of Berlin by private bus with the services of a professional, English- speaking guide.
• An orientation program in Berlin consisting of a meeting with experienced AIFS staff, covering topics such as general acclimation to Berlin, safety and security issues, cultural differences, travel, money and cultural activities.

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

You may use your free time on weekends & holidays to explore the neighborhoods of Berlin, travel throughout Germany or beyond to some of Europe’s great cities including London, Amsterdam, Rome, and Paris.

COSTS: $7,945

After a deposit or final payment is collected, this money will not be refunded. If a student or faculty member should decide not to participate in an activity or excursion, no money will be refunded.

INCLUDED IN THE COST

• Apartment in centrally located in Berlin
• 24/7 emergency contact service
• Pre-Departure Orientation
• Onsite Orientation
• Public transportation pass for Berlin
• Comprehensive Health Insurance
• All Excursions/Activities listed above

NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST

• Airfare
• College tuition & fees for 15 credits
• Course books/materials
• Passport & visa fees, if applicable
• Meals other than those listed
• Personal expenses
• Additional fieldtrips and excursions to those listed
• Anything not specified as included in the program

SCHOLARSHIPS

WCCCSA Berlin participants are all eligible for the $1,000 WCCCSA scholarships.

PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (Mandatory)

A team of WCCCSA Study Abroad Coordinators will provide details on logistics, health, and safety information to help you prepare for your study experience in Berlin. You are more than welcome to invite parents, guardians, or whomever you would like to attend the mandatory orientation with you. Lunch will be included.

• Date: TBD (March 2026)
• Time: TBD
• Location: TBD
• What to bring: 
  • Signed copy of the Student Guidelines
  • Copy of your passport
  • Flight itineraries
  • Notepad and pen to take notes
  • And questions!