My Global Short Program in Berlin, Germany

I started off my 2025 jetting off to Berlin, Germany to complete a three-week intensive language learning course at Humboldt-Universität. As a final year law student, I decided to choose a program that was out of my area of academic expertise and challenge myself to learn the German language, something I have always wanted to do but never had the time to commit to it.

The program in Berlin was a perfect opportunity to put aside three weeks that were dedicated to language learning, making friends, immersing myself in a new culture and exploring a city with rich history.

There are definitely too many highlights to list in a short blog post, but just to name a few, I am so grateful to Humboldt WISU school for organising many activities for the students including a day trip to Potsdam, visits to art galleries, a visit to the Topography of Terror to learn more about the Holocaust, a night out with all of the students to enjoy Berlin’s nightlife and a night of ice skating.

I was also extremely grateful to have made it just in time to visit a Christmas market before they closed! I can confirm that the Glühwein is as good as it sounds.

Aside from the many highlights, one of my favourite things to do during my program was just wandering around the city, taking in the incredible infrastructure and enjoying the Berlin café scene.

I made friends from countries all over the world, including England, Uzbekistan, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, China and South Africa to name a few.

Adapting to a new language and a new culture was definitely a daunting experience, and I cannot pretend that I was not nervous before going on this trip, but having completed a Global Short Program, I cannot imagine completing my degree without this experience. Thank you to UTS, the Global Short Programs team and Humboldt Universität for giving me the experience of a lifetime!

PS – if you ever consider doing a Global Short Program in Berlin during the winter (which you absolutely should), don’t forget to pack your snow thermals (unlike me, a rookie)!

Holly Schulz
Bachelor of Laws
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal