Duncan Moench, University of Utah, USA:

"Of all the places that I've traveled Berlin must be the most fascinating. The classes at the Freie Universität helped me realize the fascination even more. It is amazing to think that Berlin was the capitol city of four different governments in the last 100 years each with their own unique identity: the Prussian monarchical State, the Weimar Republic, the Nazi Regime, the soviet aligned German Democratic Republic, and the now reunited German Republic. Berlin has the most interesting and eventful history of maybe any place in the world. This is reflected in its layout, architecture, art, and cultural divisions. To be in Berlin when the capitol was in the process of being reconstructed was an unforgettable experience. Professor Verheyen [Berlin East meets West], and Hammer-Schenk [Architecture in Berlin in the Course of History] designed incredible tours of the city for every class period. The classes were quite intense, many days were exhausting, but I don't regret a single day. I was impressed by all of my professors knowledge of their subject matter, and their commitment to their field. There are so many landmarks, impressive, structures and museums that there is no way one could see them all in a month. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to see so much of Berlin, in relatively short period of time, and done so with such instruction to aid in my understanding. The FUBiS staff was very helpful with all the miscellaneous problems that inevitably occur when traveling abroad, and taking courses in a foreign country. They did a good job filling the program with a diverse group of students from around the world, everyone was there to learn, but most were up for adventure as well. I would jump at a chance to study in Berlin again."

Daina Graybosch, University of Utah, USA:

"Speaking to other students and participating in excursion helped broaden my knowledge of European government and social programs. This gave me a new view of American politics I would never have focused in on listening only to American media. I also listened to new music, went dancing and met a lot of interesting people, broadening my personal life experience."

Martina Kopaèková, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic:

"As for the Summer University, I liked it a lot and I really appreciate all the effort the FUBiS staff put into it. […] What I especially liked was the international environment in which this all took place. It offered an opportunity to meet people from all over the world and share ideas with them. Being in the "Union of People? Foundation and Development of European Union" course was a lucky choice. What I appreciated most were the field trips. They were very well organized and all of them related to our subject of study. We had a great opportunity to meet and question people who are professionals in different fields of European affairs. Nevertheless, the spirit of Berlin must also be mentioned, as it was a great experience to all of us."

Xavier Guma Vila, University of Barcelona, Spain:

"As far as my experience in Berlin I think it was wonderful. Now in Spain it is when I can see the result of my studying there. My speech has improved a lot and my German in general. You don’t realize but once you are in the country, you get lots of things in your mind which all of a sudden go out unexpectedly. The course was good and the contents suited my needs. It’s a fantastic way of learning because while you are learning a language you get the chance to know a lot about Berlin today and the Berlin of the past. You get an overall image that you wouldn’t get any other way. Excursions, activities and so on were perfect and the fact that there were not too many people in class who had the same nationality contributed to our using of the German language."

Kazushi Takada, Civil Engineering student at the International University of Japan:

"It was first time for me to study outside Japan. But there was no need to worry - anything because faculties, staffs and students from other countries were so kind. I took 'Environmental Policy and Law in Germany and Europe' and it satisfied me - than I expected. Especially, the discussion not only in the classroom but also during the lunchtime was so impressive for me. Excursion to the Federal Environmental and so on was useful for me to learn how environmental policy and law in Germany work in reality. I would like to emphasize that FUBiS gave me the greatest time in my life both academically and culturally through the discussion with many different background people."

Brent Wilson, graduate student in History at the University of Louisville, USA:

"My experience at the Freie Universität Berlin's International Summer University was nothing less than exceptional. I was able to make friends from all over the world, from whom I gained a great deal of insight into other cultures, customs, and languages. We spent a lot of time together both on and off campus, either in the cafeteria at the Otto Suhr Institut or at any number of the wonderful cafés or beer gardens all over Berlin, discussing our classes as well as the everyday things that friends usually talk about. What a great way to broaden one's horizons and perspectives! The course I took at the Summer University was great, with students from Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Our professor (Prof. Dr. Michael Minkenberg) was first-rate and provided us with challenging, interesting academic work. Not only did our professor treat us well in the classroom, but he took us on several tours of interesting parts of Berlin providing cultural and historical perspective on the city. It was especially nice that each of these tours was usually accompanied by a visit to a nice restaurant, café or bar. It was a wonderful experience to have a top-notch professor who genuinely enjoyed spending time with his students, even outside of the classroom environment. The staff at the Freie Universität was always available and willing to help with any questions or problems we had, and Jens and Vera always greeted us with a smile and a pleasant demeanor. They certainly helped to make our stay in Berlin much easier with their valuable advice and help. Berlin is a beautiful, exciting city, but the staff and classmates at the FU Berlin made living in Berlin a pleasure. The Summer University is a great opportunity to live in the beautiful city of Berlin and experience all the city has to offer, all the while making new, lifelong friendships."

Hakan Karaka, Istanbul University, Turkey:

"Have you ever taken a course on 'European Union' where none of the participants are from the countries of the union; or taken a course on 'International Cooperation' which seems like the UN Security Council than a regular class? If not, then there is your chance: FUBiS 2000...Enjoy it!"

Erik Sherwood, University of Wisconsin, USA:

"An excellent opportunity and a great decision were made when I registered for courses with the Free University Berlin’s Summer University. The University provided courteous, professional assistance while I was in Berlin. Whenever I needed something or clarification, they were eager to help me. The Professors were extremely knowledgeable and patient, outlining our coursework and then guiding us through our course. I had the opportunity to learn a language in one of Europe's fastest changing cities, Berlin. I expected to learn German by the normal grammar exercises, but instead, I learned the language by using it with local people with my instructor there. Let's face it, there are many places in Germany that offer language studies, but I found that the Free University's course was extremely beneficial. They carefully combined the history and culture of the city and its growth as a Capital City with the skills I needed to learn using the German Language."

Martina Kopaèková, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic:

"As for the Summer University, I liked it a lot and I really appreciate all the effort the FUBiS staff put into it. […] What I especially liked was the international environment in which this all took place. It offered an opportunity to meet people from all over the world and share ideas with them. Being in the "Union of People? Foundation and Development of European Union" course was a lucky choice. What I appreciated most were the field trips. They were very well organized and all of them related to our subject of study. We had a great opportunity to meet and question people who are professionals in different fields of European affairs. Nevertheless, the spirit of Berlin must also be mentioned, as it was a great experience to all of us."

Sujin Kim, Seoul National University, Korea:

'Heute heute bin ich in Berlin
Ach, morgen morgen
Berlin nur in meinem Herz’

"This poem was written in the German class as I participated in the International Summer Program in Free university of Berlin. Now? I'm writing this in Korea and Berlin is living just in my photos and my memory. Here I'll tell you some of my two-month living in Germany, especially, in Berlin. Before I decided to take part in the International Summer Program in Free University of Berlin and I left Seoul, I had wanted to experience something special that I couldn't get in my country and, fortunately, I found them in FUBiS. First, one of my classes was about Foundations and Developments of the European Union. In this class I could enjoy the active discussions that touched various topics related to EU. Above all, through the field trips I and my classmates visited the main places such as Jean Monnet House, Finnish Embassy, European Commission's office and so on, related to the topics that we dealt with in each class and talked with real people who was working there! If I had just read some articles and heard only bright aspects of EU in this class, I wouldn't have found the reason I sat there. Second, as for my German class, the most impressive was an excursion that we had after each class to prove our German speaking. During the excursion, I had a chance to contact German culture and meet those who had their own philosophies of life that is hardly to find in Korea. Third, participants from different countries and friends that I came to know in FUBIS. Actually, this experience was the most precious for me. I remembered the friendly talk with some people sitting over night and the warmness that they took off me at the train to the airport.I still have a lot to talk but I am afraid that my writing would be cut. So if you want to experience what I did and what I did but I didn't tell here, come to Germany and feel by yourself!"

Jonathan Goh Kok Chye, Student of International Economics at the Hitotsubashi-University, Japan:

"The course on the `Unions of Peoples...` was very enriching and provocative. The group discussions in the morning harmonized the excursions in the afternoon. Those excursions to the different ministries and offices allowed direct interaction with the people behind the workings of the EU. They were friendly and informative. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in this field. On top of that, Berlin is simply too irresistible in summer!"