Study Abroad: Berlin vs. Prague
 

I am trying to decide where to study abroad for one semester. I will be going in the Fall of 2014 so I have a while before I go, but I need to start making plans now. I have narrowed my choices down to these two cities but can't decide between them. At the time I go abroad I will be 20 turning 21, and am looking for a well rounded experience.

The biggest things to consider in deciding/weighing options is:
Friendly people
Cheap(ish)
Safety
Fun nightlife
Attractions
Ease of communicating (should I learn the language or will I be fine in both)

Another point I should make is that during high school I had a foreign exchange student from Prague and so I would already know someone and we would hang out for a lot of the time I was there, so he would be able to show me around and everything.

I would think that language is or primary importance: Czech or German?

That is why I am trying to decide based on other factors now, so that I would have over a year to learn either language.

It's not the time before going to learn the language that counts, it's what you think you will be more useful to you in the future.

English will be more widely spoken in Berlin (I believe required of all high school students) but Prague is catching up. And for a native English speaker another germanic language would be easier to learn that a slavic one. (I never studied german at all but was able to intuit a fair amount since it is so similar to english in roots.

Prague is probably somewhat less expensive, although Berlin is a bargain for Germany.

What about the schools/courses you would be taking - are there no differences there?

As far as which language would be more useful in the future for me, I don't really know that one is better than the other and I guess both could be equally useful.

The coursework aslo isn't an issue because I would be doing mostly electives and that could be accomplished through either program. The one difference is that the program for Berlin requires you to take at least one German Language course so that you know at least the basics of the language.

I should also note that the program in Berlin is about $2,500-$3,000 more. That isn't really an issue but I would want to be sure that paying that is actually worth going to Berlin over Prague.

I would say that the extra cost is partly due to a one week excursion to a city (changes each semester but past examples have been Copenhagen, Paris, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest) which is included.

The program in Prague does offer a few excursions but mainly to other Czech cities or Berlin, and the excursion is only a few days compared to one week.

For more than 25, Prague has hand an English language newspaper, started by young Americans because there was such a market for it. It has a circulation of about 50,000 as I recall.

I would simply rather learn German and live in Berlin and Germany, because they are so much more important to Europe as a whole and the world as a whole. Sort of like saying: Where should I study? New York City or New Orleans?

But I also think it matters what field you are studying. Some schools and cities are much better than others for some things.

I haven't been to Berlin so can't comment on that from a personal experience of the city. I would have thought actual course content would be of prime importance in deciding where to study, not night life, etc. Call me old-fashioned. So this is really an unnecessary experience just for fun, it sounds like, not really based on academics or even going to place that bears any importance on your future job prospects or academic course of study? Because clearly if you were interested in WWII German history, you probably would go to Berlin, for example. But if neither place is of any importance at all in your academic experience or coursework because the courses you are taking will be trivial and equally good at either place ---

I'd probably choose Prague. I really like Prague, you know someone there, and you can visit Berlin easily from Prague during your stay if you want to see it -- and to me, $3000 is a LOT of money.

I think objectively that knowing German will open many more doors for you later in life than knowing Czech, unless you can foresee a time when you would specialize in some field that was directly related to Czech interests.

It's possible that the ambience of Berlin would be more high pressure in every way, and that you personally would thrive and blossom in a more communal environment. Hard to guess over the internet, but I would think about that.

Christina,

You're old-fashioned.

What you are saying is also simply not true. Many students and -- even more imporantly -- many schools recognize that a year abroad is in and of itself a tremendously educational expereince, even if the year isn't spent with one's nose to the academic grindstone.

You are being excessively unpleasant for no reason and what you are saying doesn't sound educated at all.

mattocs,

sorry for some typos in my first post. I was addressing the issue of how much English there is in Prague, and I meant to type that for "25 years, Prague has had an English language newspaper"

another thought - how will a term in Prague look on your CV as against one in Berlin, in which you've done a course in german?

if I were an employer, I know which one would impress me most.

on that basis, it's an extra $3000 well spent.

I am majoring in Environmental Science and just plan on being a Environmental Science professor at a university here in the states. That said, neither program offers courses related to that, so I would be doing electives/gen. ed. classes such as history, psychology, sociology. The only course that would be something positive or negative comparatively is that I have to do a fine art for my major and the program in Prague offers a photography course which is a hobby of mine and the program in Berlin does not (this would not be enough to make me pick Prague over Berlin though). I would end up studying both languages whether before or during my stay there it doesn't matter.

So.....I guess I really am more interested in which city would provide me with a fun, interesting, and culturally expanding semester.

I have been to and like both cities. For a much greater wealth of experiences I think you would be better off in Berlin; it simply has more to offer.

Dukey1,

Can you elaborate more, what made it have more to offer compared to Prague? Thanks!

I guess I really am more interested in which city would provide me with a fun, interesting, and culturally expanding semester.>>

in your sphere, i find it difficult to believe that a term in Germany, specifically Berlin, wouldn't be more relevant and prestigious than one in Prague.

and more scientific literature will be in german than in Czech.

and whereas Prague is a nice place for a few days with lovely buildings and good beer, Berlin is a major world capital which has been at the centre of an Empire and before that of a major european power. It has major art and museum collections and very important place in recent world history. it also has excellent access to any number of lovely and interesting places including Prague. and good beer.

is that enough?

Thanks annhig, a lot of that I already knew and I guess it's not a really fair comparison is it. Berlin just has much more history and I think I am starting to see that as a whole Berlin does just simply have more to offer, and I can still take some time to go to Prague and see the sights/hang out with my friend.

a lot of that I already knew and I guess it's not a really fair comparison is it.>>

sorry, Mattocs, it wasn't clear what your level of knowledge was from your posts.

but I agree that the comparison is not a fair one.

please don't get me wrong - we really liked Prague, [who can not like a place that has puppet theatres and a microbrewery serving beer in things called giraffes?] but Berlin really is in a different class.

sorry, Mattocs, it wasn't clear what your level of knowledge was from your posts.>>

Dont worry about it, I am glad you said all that because it just reaffirmed what I knew! I definitely plan on traveling to Prague still if I go to Berlin!

My son is studying with www.aifsabroad.com in Salzburg (just got there yesterday). When we were researching programs I had come across this one in southern Germany that might be of interest to you.
http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroa...sustainability

They also have a program in Berlin. http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroa...olitan-studies

Study abroad should really be called experience abroad, because most programs do not immerse the students in the regular curriculum. Unless you do, or unless you live with a local family, it is unlikely you'll get really proficient at the language. In addition, home universities will normally only accept class credits as electives. I know many students delay their electives in anticipation of studying abroad their junior year.

When my kids were deciding where to do their study abroad, they were like you, mattocs in that they hadn't a particular draw to any one country. My only suggestion was to choose a place where it would be difficult to live later on your own. On that basis, my oldest chose India over Italy, and the younger chose Singapore (for its proximity to other SE Asian countries).

Both had great a marvelous time, and figured that was going to be the whole extent of the program. They were later surprised at how they remain connected to the experience; the oldest (an engineer) was later asked by professors at her home univ to present a paper in India. As Singapore had a very large exchange program, my youngest has friends all over the world.

So, choose the one that you think will be the most interesting to you. Don't try and make it into a something to go on a future resume.

Your's is a tough choice, as they are, in many ways, quite similar.

mattocs,

something else you should be aware of is the attitude in Berlin about "hipsters" and foreigners:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...-tourism-abuse

But I still think the question for you is not entirely about the offerings of the destination, but also how you generally interact with your surroundings. You mentioned that you have a friend in Prague. If you know from past experience that having that kind of companionship -- or not -- will play a big part in how you get on, your attitude every day -- don't ignore that.
Anything else about your personality that maybe wouldn't bother somebody else, but could bother you a lot. (I once had a very hard time enjoying living in London just because of the rainy weather.)

Prague is a smaller place than Berlin. For some people, Berlin would be too busy and big, the way LA is too big for some people and San Francisco is delightful. Other people get bored in smaller places, and like the 24 hour feel of a big modern metropolis.

Hard to see how any country could be Germany for a "green" outlook. Might be nice to feel you have plenty of people who understand what you're interested in. Maybe Prague offers you that too (I don't know) or maybe you aren't looking for that, but instead would like something that really does feel "foreign" -- Prague is going to feel more exotic than Germany. Some people might find that irritating after a while and prefer the easier feel of German culture.

Touch choice for sure!

Another typo: Meant to say

"Hard to see how any country could beat Germany for a "green" outlook"

Can anyone that has been to Berlin recently touch on the article that goldenautumn posted and whether or not you could sense that? I don't want to feel outcasted.

That article is fully blown out of proportion.
Since re-unification in 1990, Berlin always had that problem of gentrification of specific boroughs by a somewhat intra-city migration of more affluent "foreigners", i.e. people from other boroughs or other parts of the country. If you want to compare it to something it would be like Brooklyn becoming the "new Manhattan" or such.
Neukölln, The borough in question, always had been a somewhat rough neighborhood. Actually it has been nicknamed the "Berlin Bronx" for a reason. Yet anyone familiar with some inner city problems in the US will probably laugh at the level of "danger" in those Berlin "hoods".
There are tons of other neighborhoods, though, where you will feel or see nothing of the anectodal incidents in that borough.

Hi!

If you want more information on Germany or other European countries, I advise you to check this website http://globaliseme.com/Globalise_Me.html There are a lot of practical information for students and above all videos, this way you can really imagine how will be your future student life ;)

hope you will find it helpful

good luck anyway to make your choice!

I have recently declared a minor in Business and my university offers a 5 week study abroad program in Italy in which you complete 1/2 of your required courses for your minor. Therefore, I have decided to do that and then travel around Europe for the remainder of that summer. This is the most practical study abroad program and still allows me to travel (which is one of the biggest reasons I even want to study abroad). Thank you all for the help, and if you want to comment on my other post concerning my post study travels that would be cool too ;)

Good luck in Italy!



I was going to address your original post and say Prague though. I love Berlin but for a student abroad Prague is fun, fun, fun. Tons of you guys here.

hi mattocs,

thanks for coming back to us with the update - so often people start a thread then disappear never to be heard of [at least in fodorsland] again.

your 5 weeks in Italy sound great and the travelling after that perhaps even better.

Can i suggest learning a bit of italian before you go? it'll bear dividends I'm sure.

Good luck!

My daughter just turned 21 and is studying in Budapest. She had been to Prague before - but a while ago. She had never been to Berlin.

She just had a trip to each. she was not a fan of Prague (nor and I, so it could be hereditary)...she loved Berlin. And as a city, she said it was huge and full of things to occupy a substantial amount of time.

Take it for what it's worth. At the end of the day, you will have a blast (and you are young, you should have a blast).

prague is nice, there are many good universities. berlin is quite similar tho, maybe more hipster. take a look on http://www.unyp.cz - it's good university to study in english in prague (NY Univ.)

am presently in prague. language should not be a problem at all. every young person seems to speak english. all merchants seem to also.
spent last evening with a cousin who is here on a semester program and loves it. lots of availabe travel she has gone to krakow austria and germany. my sense is prague is a much smaller city to walk around. it is also a beautful city with gorgeous architecture.
also there was no language course she ws required to take. hope this helps

just saw that it is italy!
cant go wrong there!

you can also try to study in Slovakia similar to prague, but cheaper and closer to vienna and budapest - there is this website http://www.studylivework.com and they help to find a school.

Although I have never been to Prague, everything I hear about Berlin is how vibrant, livable and dynamic a city it is, and for young people, the night life and the cutting edge arts community would make it a huge draw. I have been to Berlin and found it interesting on many levels. Not a city one goes to because of the charm and beautiful buildings, at least IMO, but one can do plenty of excursions for that.

Berlin..in my opinion..i feel the idea of student exchange programs is to enable the student to broaden his outlook by mixing with other people.. To meet with people of different backgrounds.. The more we meet and observe, the more we learn and mature.. Berlin offer more oppurtunities in this respect. Since course is more or less similar in both cases then it cannot be the deciding factor..night life and enjoyable pursuits are bonus but cannot clinch the deal..things going in favor of berlin are more cosmopolitan society, chance to learn german, being in a more historical and deep rooted city, being in an economic powerhouse..

well, I can agree about a lot of those things, but cannot agree that Prague is not an equally historical and "deep-rooted" city (not sure what that means, but it certainly has a long important history and identify for its residents). Coincidentally, right now I'm reading "Prague Winter" by Madeleine ALbright, which covers a lot of the history there, especially around WWII, of course. I think most of it is really ghost-written by Bob Woodward. It's pretty good. But I've read a lot about Prague because I am very fond of the Czech Republic and Prague, in fact I donate regularly to a charity to help keep up Czech history and cultural treasures.

So I can't agree that Berlin is more historical than Prague. Prague was the seat of Czech rulers since the middle ages. In fact, Prague is about 300 years older than Berlin as a city. Familiar with that Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslas?

Sorry Christina.. I accept that I am wrong in selecting improper words and also on facts.. My ignorance.. But from the student's perspective I think that time spent in Berlin would be more beneficial..