O'Neill in Berlin

V482/V582 – Metropolitan Development: The Case of Berlin (1cr.)

Program Director: David Audretsch

The focus of the course will be on the policy approach of Berlin and Germany to generate economic resilience in a turbulent global economy. The course will examine seven particular policy aspects attributed to the economic success of Berlin and Germany. The course will be structured around The Seven Secrets of Germany: Economic Resilience in a Turbulent Global Economy, by David B. Audretsch and Erik E. Lehman (Oxford University Press, 2016). Each morning will consist of formal classroom instruction focusing on a particular aspect of Berlin and German public policy. This will be coupled with either a guest speaker or a site visit to a policy institution in the afternoon.

• Berlin Wall Tour
• Bundestag Parliament Building Tour
• Sachenhausen Concentration Camp
• Walking Tour of Berlin

You will be housed in the ibis Berlin City Postdamer Platz hotel. The lodging will have internet connection, and each room will have its own bathroom and clean sheets and towels provided. Students will be in a shared double occupancy male or female only room. Breakfast will be provided each morning. You will be responsible for your own lunches and dinners, except for two meals: the welcome dinner and an excursion provided lunch.

All O’Neill International programs are academic, credit-bearing courses that take place abroad. As such, your bursar will be charged two amounts for participation in this program:

1. Program Fee for O’Neill in Berlin (made in two payments)
2. Tuition for the course (1 credit at the normal IU-Bloomington tuition rate)

2026 Program Fee: Coming soon!

The Program Fee for this program includes:

• Lodging for 1-week in Berlin
• Site visits and guest speakers
• Cultural excursions
• Some meals
• International health insurance

 The Program Fee will be charged to your IU Bloomington Bursar account in two installments:

1. A $250 non-refundable pre-payment will be charged shortly after you confirm your participation in the program
2. The remaining balance will be charged in January

For a full breakdown of costs, please see the Berlin fee sheet.

Tuition for O’Neill in Berlin course: 1 credit hour paid at your IU-Bloomington tuition rate (resident/non-resident, grad/UG, etc.)

Note – for this course, if you are enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student on the Bloomington campus during the spring semester and enroll in the course as part of your block credits, there is no additional tuition cost to participate in this program.

Graduate students, students from other IU campuses, and part-time students will pay for 1 credit hour of tuition, based on your student status (resident/non-resident) on the Bloomington campus.

Additional Costs

Students will pay for their own flight to and from Germany, meals that are not included in the Program Fee, and other personal incidentals.

Scholarships

The O’Neill International Office offers several scholarships to support students studying abroad. The O’Neill International Equal Opportunity Scholarship is a need-based award available to help O'Neill students from IUB and IUI to be able to study abroad. Please visit our scholarship page for eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Other need and merit-based scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Students are encouraged to apply widely to all scholarships they are eligible for. Please email us at oio@iu.edu if you want help navigating different funding resources.

During the application period (September 1 - October 1) an "Apply Now" button will be available at the top of this page. You will need to submit the online application by 5 pm on October 1.

Detailed application instructions

If you have any issues throughout the application process, please do not hesistate to contact the O’Neill International Office, 812-855-7568, oio@iu.edu.

• Ability to Walk Long Distances Daily: Participants should be prepared to walk at least 3-5 miles each day, often in urban areas or on uneven terrain such as cobblestone streets.
• Ability to Walk on Uneven Ground and Climb Stairs: Some excursions may require walking on uneven ground or cobblestones and managing multiple flights of stairs at once. A basic level of fitness is necessary.
• Ability to Manage Stressful Situations: Students should be able to navigate stressful situations such as crowded areas, time zone changes, language barriers, and group travel dynamics.
• Ability to Adapt to a New Culture: Willingness to embrace a different culture and step outside one’s comfort zone is essential. Students should be prepared to adapt to new customs, norms, and environments.
• Ability to Navigate New Cities Independently: Participants should feel comfortable navigating new cities in small groups, using maps or public transportation.
• Ability to Stay Calm and Focused in Unfamiliar Environments: Students may encounter unfamiliar situations such as navigating airports, public transportation, or crowded cities. The ability to stay calm and focused is important.
• Ability to Identify and Cope with Personal Stressors: Understanding one’s own stressors (e.g., travel fatigue, group dynamics) and employing coping mechanisms is essential for a smooth experience.
• Ability to adjust to language barriers: Students should be open to learning key phrases in the local language (e.g., ordering food, asking for directions).
• Openness to Embrace Group Dynamics and Teamwork: Programs often involve group work, requiring openness to grow as a team member, listen to others, and share responsibilities.
• Willingness to Broaden Perspectives: A core part of the experience is expanding one’s worldview. Students must be willing to broaden their perspectives and learn about new cultures, even if it challenges their existing beliefs.