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Elliott School International Exchange Partner:
Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften
 Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) is one of the largest, most comprehensive, and most respected universities in Germany. Students with a focus on European politics, EU integration, and Eastern Europe, may be particularly interested in the courses of the Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften (FB Politik). Students may apply to study at FU Berlin for one semester, or they may choose to apply to earn a second Master's degree in International Relations.
Curriculum:
Courses in German: Courses at FU Berlin's Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften (FB Politik) focus on international relations, comparative politics, policy analysis, and political theory. Students may review FB Politik course listings on-line.
Courses in English: Students without a high level of German language proficiency make take classes taught in English within the FU Berlin’s new Master of International Relations (MIR). The MIR program explores issues in International Organizations and Institutions; Political Economy; Comparative Foreign Policy; Regional Studies; and Peace and Security Studies. An overview of the MIR program can be found on-line. For a list of courses previously offered in English please click here. 
Enrollment and Transfer of Credit:
All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at FU Berlin as full-time students, for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credits. Students do not usually register in advance, but instead register on the first day of classes with the professors. Registration is not structured in the same way as at GW, i.e. there is no on-line registration and students usually just come and fill up the classroom.
Students may transfer up to 10 GW credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. programs. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. For more details on transfer credit, visit Receiving Credit .
6 ECTS credits at FU Berlin = 3 GW credits
FU Berlin Grade 2.0 Gut = GW Grade B
The FU Berlin grade range is from 1 = A to 5 =F
Academic Calendar:
The “winter” term runs from mid October through mid February. The “summer” term runs from mid April through the end of July. Courses are held during the day.
Second Degree Option: The Master of International Relations:
Elliott School students may also choose to pursue a second Masters degree in Berlin. The Master of International Relations (MIR) is a degree program offered by FU Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Universität Potsdam. The MIR is generally a two-year program; however, by special arrangement, students who have completed the Elliott School MA program are eligible to apply for the MIR and upon a student’s acceptance to the MIR, FU and its German partners will credit the equivalent of up to one semester from the Elliott School towards the requirements of the MIR. In addition, once admitted as a MIR student, if an Elliott School student has also previously earned credits at FU as an exchange student, FU and its German partners will retrospectively count those credits earned during their semester as exchange students towards the completion of the MIR. In this way, Elliott School students may complete the MIR program in less than two years. FU Berlin and its German partners retain the right to make all admissions and transfer credit decisions for each student. The MIR program requires both German and English proficiency.
Language of Instruction:
Courses are conducted in German or in English. A proficient level of German is required for taking courses taught in German. Most professors of the German-taught courses, however, will allow written assignment to be done in English.
Internships: Berlin offers a wide range of internship possibilities, e.g. with federal government agencies, civil society associations and business. It lies in the students' responsibility to find and apply for internship places, but FB Politik can provide assistance. Previous Elliott School students have interned at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).
Housing: International exchange students may apply for a student residence through FU Berlin, but availability is limited. Students are ultimately responsible for securing their own housing and often sublet rooms or rent apartments. Additional housing information is available from the Akademisches Auslandsamt.
Tuition and fees:
Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon full-time enrollment for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credit hours.
Location:
FB Politik is located in the southwest of Berlin, in the old American sector. The area is quite residential, with many grand homes, trees, and parks. Freie offices are located in some of these older buildings, as well as in more modern buildings. While the campus is not in the center of Berlin, it is easily accessed by both bus and U-bahn (subway). The Osteruopa Institut and most FB Politik buildings where students take classes are located near the U-bahns stations of Thielpatz or Oskar Helen Heim.
Travel information:
Students are responsible for obtaining appropriate student visas for study at FU Berlin. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs compiles information on travel abroad, public announcements, and warnings. Please review the information about Germany and for any worldwide travel announcements.
To Apply:
The Elliott School reviews all applications for study at International
Exchange Partners.
For the one-semester exchange program, students must complete:
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The Elliott School Exchange Student Application ,
and
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FU Berlin Application for Admission at FUB as Exchange Student
Both applications and all supplementary materials are due to the Elliott School by March 15 for fall enrollment abroad and October 15 for spring enrollment abroad. Once the application has been reviewed and endorsed by the Elliott School review committee, the Elliott School will forward the application materials to the partner for final decision.
For the MIR second- degree option:
FU Berlin Application for Admission to the Master of International Relations program
Students apply directly to FU Berlin for the MIR program. Deadline for application to the Master of International Relations program is June 15.
For more information about FU Berlin:
Evaluations written by former participants in the exchange program are available from the Associate Director for International Education, upon request.
Website: http://www.fu-berlin.de/fu-international/en/auslaamt/prgrstu/prgrstu.htm
Website: http://www.fu-berlin.de/studium/kompass/
For academic questions about course offerings, please email masterib@zedat.fu-berlin.de.
Last revised 06.12.08
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