MHC/Berlin School of Economics and Law Exchange 

Mount Holyoke may nominate up to three students to study on exchange at the Berlin School of Economics and Law for spring semester (beginning of April to late July, called the summer semester in Germany), and up to three students for the summer program (late June to mid-July). BSEL will waive tuition for students selected for the exchange. Any qualified student may apply, regardless of their financial aid status. MHC may nominate any number of additional qualified students to enroll at BSEL as guest students for the spring semester or in the summer program; these students are responsible for paying any tuition and program fees to BSEL. 

Berlin School of Economics and Law

• Founded in 1409, the second oldest university in Germany

• Approximately 30,000 students (8% international students, from 130 countries)

• Comprehensive university offering a wide range of courses in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences

City of Berlin

• Capital of Germany, located in the northeastern part of the country

• Home to many national and international organizations and to more than 15 institutions of higher education

• Rich cultural offerings include three opera houses, more than 100 museums, 50 theaters, and 300 libraries

• Population about 4.5 million, Germany’s largest city and the second most populous city in the European Union

Academic Program for the Semester Exchange

• Spring semester (in Germany it's called "summer" semester) runs from early April to late July

• Exchange students may study at BSEL for the summer semester only

• Full-time standard courseload for the semester is 30 ECTS credits (ordinarily six 5-credit courses), which transfers as 16 MHC credits

• Students may choose from courses taught in English in the International Business and Management program (first stage of the bachelor of arts program) and from General Studies courses taught in English. Cooperative Studies courses are NOT available to MHC exchange students and are different than General Studies.

• Students with proficiency in German (at least four semesters or the equivalent) may qualify to enroll in German-taught courses

Academic Program for the Berlin International Summer School

Students may choose from several courses that combine classroom work with weekly study visits to local companies and political organizations; courses typically include: Markets and Management in Europe, European Business and Economics Program, The European Union in a Global World, How Europe Works: Institutions and Law in the EU, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, German Language & Culture (for Beginners and Advanced Beginners)

Courses are taught in English

Courses run from late June through mid-July (three to four weeks)

Learn more about the Berlin International Summer School program.

Living Arrangements

• Guaranteed housing in a student residence

Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 3.0

• Must have completed at least sophomore year at MHC prior to enrolling at BSEL

• A strong background in economics or statistics is required for more advanced semester courses at BSEL; students applying for the summer program must also have a background in economics 

• Applicants for the semester exchange must have completed at least one semester of German language study prior to enrolling at BSEL; students applying for the summer are not required to have studied German, though we strongly recommend that they do so

Financial Arrangements for the Semester Program

• Application is open to all qualified students, regardless of their financial aid status

• BSEL will waive tuition fees for up to three students nominated by MHC

• MHC may nominate any number of additional students to enroll as guest students; guest students will be responsible for program tuition and fees

• Exchange and guest students pay directly for room fees, and are responsible for meals, health insurance, books, personal expenses, round-trip travel to Berlin, and MHC’s administrative fee

• Most students will find that their family contribution and federal or outside aid for which they are eligible will be sufficient to cover their costs for the semester

• Exchange students for whom those resources are not sufficient are guaranteed Laurel Fellowships; financial aid award will be based on total budget, including MHC administrative fee, and allowances toward room and board, books, personal expenses, and round-trip airfare

• Students are encouraged to inquire at the Department of German Studies about outside scholarships that may be available for study to Germany

Financial Arrangements for the Summer Program

• Financial Arrangements for the Summer School Program

• Application is open to all qualified students, regardless of their financial aid status

• BSEL will waive tuition fees for up to three students nominated by MHC

• MHC may nominate any number of additional students to enroll as guest students; guest students will be responsible for program tuition and fees

• All summer program students will be responsible for room and board, books, personal and miscellaneous expenses, and travel to and from Berlin; no financial aid is available from MHC or BSEL to help cover these costs

• Students are encouraged to inquire at the Department of German Studies about outside scholarships that may be available for study to Germany

Application Procedures

• For the semester exchange, submit Mount Holyoke’s Request to Study Abroad according to the instructions on the Deadlines page; applications are due in mid-April for the spring of the following year. Students will be notified at the end of June whether they have been selected for the spring semester exchange. The McCulloch Center will forward students' applications to BSEL for their consideration; students must also be accepted by BSEL.

• For the summer program, submit the MHC BSEL Summer School Application in MCGI's Via portal, indicating which 1-2 courses you're interested in --in order of preference, available from the BSEL International Summer School website), and a recommendation from a faculty member in your major; applications are due February 15. Students will be notified in early March whether they have been selected for the summer exchange. They will then complete the online BSEL application by March 15 (instructions will be provided); students must also be accepted by BSEL.

• All students who wish to transfer credit for summer study abroad must also follow the process outlined here: Short-Term & Summer Study Abroad.