Housing

BCGS students have the opportunity to live in different venues and gain diverse perspectives on the local lifestyle.

Arrival

Upon arrival in Berlin, BCGS students meet each other and stay together in a youth hostel for orientation weekend.

Homestay

When the two-day orientation is over, each student is placed as a guest with a German family in Berlin. The homestay is an invaluable opportunity I love the combination of homestay and apartment. I had a chance to spend time with a German family and to live with German students” for students, as it provides a window into the daily rhythms and customs of Berliners, and, because students are expected to speak German exclusively with their families, an excellent jump-start to the improvement of their language skills.

Apartment Living

By the end of their homestay, BCGS students will have independently found an apartment share or similar accommodation for the rest of their stay in Berlin. While program housing through the FU is available and apartment hunting can “The search for housing was difficult, but I am glad I found an apartment, I enjoyed living in the city with a German roommate” be challenging, most BCGS students choose to find their own shares, as doing so provides another opportunity to improve their language skills, benefit from cultural exchange with their roommates (usually German students), and explore a different neighborhood.