20 years of FU-BEST: International studies celebrate success in Berlin!

20 years of FU-BEST: International studies celebrate success in Berlin!

On September 5, 2025, the Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) invited people to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their short-term study program FU-BEST, which stands for Free University of Berlin European Studies Program. The event took place on the Lankwitz campus and attracted numerous international guests. Prof. Dr. Günter M. Ziegler, the university's president, praised the development of the program, which has welcomed over 4,200 international students since its founding in 2005.

FU-BEST promotes openness and diversity in the global educational landscape. In a video greeting, Prof. Dr. Verena Blechinger-Talcott, First Vice President of the FU, emphasized the importance of the program for intercultural learning and the formation of friendships. The aim is to promote an international community of responsible, global citizens. The program is also part of the internationalization strategy of the Free University of Berlin.

Academic offerings and awards

The FU-BEST program offers an intensive academic semester in which nearly 30 content areas are taught in English. The subjects offered include political science, history, philosophy, sociology, music history, film studies, environmental studies and art history. The program also includes a week-long excursion to attractive destinations such as Vienna, Budapest or Prague, without any prior knowledge of German being required.

Participants must enroll in a German course. For beginners, there is an experience course for German beginners, while the more demanding intensive course is intended for students with previous knowledge. FU-BEST has recognized the Quality Improvement Program (QUIP) of the Forum on Education Abroad for its academic quality and excellent support.

Scholarships and housing options offered

Students can typically earn 12 to 15 credit hours during a semester. You have the opportunity to apply for the Collins Scholarship, which awards up to $10,000 per semester, with preference given to music students, particularly in the field of opera, as well as those studying German as a language and culture.

The FU Berlin offers various housing options. These include in particular homestays with private rooms and meals for 3,100 euros, as well as student halls of residence that cost between 3,000 and 3,100 euros. Most participants come from the USA, and the average journey to the university is around 30 to 45 minutes by public transport.

Discussion about international education

As part of the anniversary event, a panel discussion on the topic “Educating for Tomorrow: Study Abroad and Future Leadership” also took place. The role of international education and the importance of studying abroad for the development of intercultural competencies and leadership qualities were discussed.

Overall, FU-BEST shows how effectively a program can be structured to provide students with not only academic qualifications, but also intercultural experiences and global networks. Further information about study opportunities and programs abroad is available on the websites of the respective institutions ( KU Study Abroad, IEC online ).