Bard College Berlin (Germany)
- Sara Cavalieri
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Bard College Berlin offers a small college experience in a large, vibrant European capital -- which also happens to be my new favorite city.
Berlin is packed with art, culture and history, along with the headquarters of major companies, where many students obtain internships for academic credit.
A branch campus of Bard College in New York, Bard College Berlin has about 350 students and more than 65 different nationalities.
But unlike other college branch campuses in Europe, Bard College Berlin is made up mostly of degree-seeking students (not study abroad students there for just a semester or two).
Here are some of the highlights from my visit!
City of Berlin
Dear Berlin: where have you been all my life?
Why have I not visited you sooner?!
Despite the fact that my mom's side of the family is German, I was immediately drawn in by this place and the juxtapositions of old and new all around.
I absolutely must return; five days was simply not enough to explore all the museums, parks and corners of the city I had planned.
As the capital of Germany, the country with Europe's largest economy, so much history runs right through it.
There are remnants of WWII and the Cold War everywhere; the wall that divided East and West Germany until 1989 is now a gallery in itself and a symbol of resilience and unity.
There are plenty of powerful reminders of the city's tumultuous past.
In fact, the bunker where Hitler took his own life ended up being the parking lot behind the apartment where I stayed.
Despite the heaviness of certain sites, I could easily live here; in fact, 57 percent of Berliners are not from Berlin originally.
Berlin is a melting pot of cultures, making it a haven for creatives.
People are open, progressive, artistic and welcoming, and I loved the edginess of the graffiti works all around.
I particularly loved how the transportation system of trams, buses and trains works seamlessly (if there aren't strikes) and operates 24/7 on weekends.
There is also surprisingly a TON of green space; Tiergarten Park is double the size of Central Park in New York!
And who knew that Berlin has more than 1,000 bridges -- surprisingly, more than Venice -- and a multitude of canals.
Campus
Bard College Berlin is located about a half hour by tram north of the city in the residential neighborhood known as Pankow.
It's the largest borough by population in Berlin and the second largest by area.
Formerly diplomatic residences in East Berlin, Pankow is now made up of quiet streets.
For the first two years, students are required to live in on-campus housing, and this is included in tuition, along with meal plans.
Meal plans include three meals Monday to Friday; lunches and dinners must be pre-ordered though as they are pre-packaged.
There are a number of housing options to choose from, including typical pre-war Berlin buildings with wooden floors and high ceilings.
There is also a new, modern residence named Henry Koerner Hall, which was donated by the family of a Jewish artist who escaped to the U.S. during the war.
Academics
Bard College Berlin is a private college, founded in 1999 as the European College of Liberal Arts.
This is important to know, as it's also the reason there aren't many German students at Bard, despite having so many other nationalities -- public universities in Germany are free.
However, with an average class size of 10 students and a student to faculty ratio of 5-to-1, Bard College Berlin students get a lot of personalized support, and there are plenty of opportunities to mix with students from other institutions.
In 2015, it officially became Bard College Berlin, having dual accreditation in the U.S. and Germany.
In order to get a degree from both countries, students must ensure they have taken a strict set of specific Advanced Placement exams prior to enrolling, which can be difficult if not planned out ahead of time (contact me to learn more).
Nevertheless, all graduates will still get the American Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation.
Bard College Berlin embraces the philosophy of a liberal arts education, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning.
The curriculum is designed to expose students to a wide range of subjects, encouraging them to make connections across disciplines and think critically about complex global issues.
It offers three BA degrees, all of which have a Social Thought component.
And at the heart of Bard College Berlin's academic structure is its Core Curriculum, a series of interdisciplinary courses over six semesters covering the history of ideas and society from the ancient world to the present.
BCB's newest program started in Fall 2023 -- the BA in Artistic Practice in Society, which takes a more practical approach to the arts and is perfect for a creative person who does not want to go to 'art school.'
However, all students can take art classes as electives and also have the opportunity to study abroad and undertake an internship.
Crucially, students must also take classes to a B1 (intermediate) level in German by the end of second year, which increases employability and enhances their own student experience.
Summary - Bard College Berlin
Is there a more unique place than Berlin?
It is a place that truly captivated my soul with its rich history, diverse culture and dynamic atmosphere.
Constantly undergoing change and development, Berlin stands as a testament to the resilience of its people and commitment to creating a peaceful, inclusive community.
And for international students looking to study in Germany, Bard College Berlin could be a great option for someone wanting a small college experience in this vibrant, diverse place.
With its commitment to personalized learning and interdisciplinary education, the college provides a truly transformative educational experience.
