Berlin, Germany

Spring 2025

At CIEE, we understand each study abroad student has different housing needs and interests. There are options
that give you the opportunity to choose the housing abroad that best suits your preferences.

All programs automatically offer Standard Housing, which is included in the program fee. At CIEE Berlin we
provide additional housing options for an added fee, including:

• Select Housing – Supplement will be applied for double accommodation on campus.

• Select Plus Housing – Supplement will be applied for single accommodation on campus.

Once you select your preferred accommodation, be sure to complete the housing survey in your CIEE application .

Please note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be
considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.

Housing During Your CIEE Program

CIEE Berlin offers a variety of housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. Your
accommodation preferences will be met in the form of dorms, homestays, and shared apartments. Additionally,
all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, and
restaurants. Most students live in an on-campus residence hall with a mix of CIEE students and resident
assistants.

CIEE Berlin offers students 3 housing options:

• Standard Housing in one of the following options: (1) a single room at a homestay with or without another
CIEE student, (2) accommodation in a triple or quad room at CIEE Berlin or (3) if dorm capacity is
exceeded, a double room off-campus in a shared apartment/residence hall located within 45 minutes of
CIEE.
• Select Housing: double dorm room or shared apartment on campus at CIEE Berlin - or, if dorm capacity is
exceeded, a private bedroom within a shared off-campus apartment located within 45 minutes of CIEE.
• Select Plus Housing: single accommodation on campus at CIEE Berlin

Standard Housing: Includes one of the following options: (1) a single room at a homestay, (2) accommodation in a
triple or quad room on campus at CIEE Berlin or (3) if dorm capacity is exceeded a double room off-campus in
a shared apartment/residence hall located within 45 minutes of CIEE. Homestays feature a kitchen, living room,
and bathroom shared with a host family. Off-campus shared apartments offer kitchens, and laundry facilities
shared with other students. Triples and quad rooms on campus offer an ensuite bathroom and are fully furnished

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and equipped with a fridge, microwave, and Wi-Fi. The residence hall has four large, shared student kitchens, five
student lounges, and a laundry room.

Students who live with host families receive breakfast and dinner daily. In residence halls and at shared
apartments, students can prepare their own meal in the (shared) kitchens. Basic cooking utensils are provided. In
the neighborhood or throughout the city, there are plenty of restaurants ready for students to explore.

Select Housing: Includes a double dorm room or shared apartment on campus at the CIEE Berlin. The on-
campus residence hall rooms offer ensuite bathrooms and are fully furnished and equipped with a fridge,
microwave, and Wi-Fi. The residence hall has four large, shared student kitchens, five student lounges, and a
laundry room. If dorm capacity is exceeded, students may be placed in a private bedroom within a shared off-
campus apartment located within 45 minutes of CIEE. Select housing requires an additional fee.

Housing
Location
CIEE Berlin is located in the heart of the international Kreuzberg district – a hub for the arts, music, and digital
technology. No matter how you build your program, you'll surround yourself with the language, culture, and people
of Germany's vibrant and historic capital city. Berlin’s 24-hour public transportation system is extensive and
connects the areas of the city accessibly and quickly. CIEE Berlin is steps from a neighborhood subway station
with easy access to the rest of the city. Located in the heart of the Kreuzberg district, CIEE Berlin offers students
easy access to a large public market hall, restaurants and cafés, and a variety of shops.

Meals
Residence Hall: Students can prepare their own meals in the full kitchen. CIEE provides basic cooking utensils
and cleaning supplies. Students can also explore the myriad restaurants in our multicultural Kreuzberg
neighborhood or throughout the city.

Apartments: Students can prepare their own meals in shared kitchens. Basic cooking utensils and cleaning
supplies are provided. Students can also explore the myriad restaurants in their neighborhood or throughout the
city.

Homestay: Students who live with homestay families receive breakfast and dinner daily.

Internet
Highspeed internet is available at all housing options apartments.

Laundry and Bedding

Students will be provided with basic sheets, linens, and pillows. Towels are not provided and are the
responsibility of the student to bring or buy in Berlin. Students will have access to paid laundry services at the
Center or off-campus housing option.

Cleaning and maintenance

Students are responsible for cleaning their individual bedrooms and common areas in their apartments.

Photos:

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CIEE Berlin Campus

CIEE Berlin on-campus dorm room (double) & amenities

CIEE Berlin on campus housing shared kitchen

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example for CIEE Berlin off-campus housing – amenities

FAQs

If I arrive early, can I move in before the program start date?

No, students are responsible for making their own housing accommodations for any nights prior to the program
start date. Students will not be allowed to move in to CIEE housing until the advertised program start date.

How are housing assignments made?

You will be asked to complete a Housing Survey as part of your predeparture materials.
Select and Select Plus housing is subject to limited availability and requires an additional payment in addition to
the CIEE Program Fee. Based on the completion of the Housing Survey, non-Standard housing will be assigned on
first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered. If the desired Select or Select Plus
housing option is not available, students will be placed in Standard CIEE housing. Choosing Select or Select Plus
housing on this housing survey constitutes an agreement to pay the additional fee if non-Standard housing is
assigned. Accepted and confirmed students will be notified of their housing placement three weeks prior to
program start date and requested to log into myciee.org to make the required payment for upgraded
housing. Select and Select Plus housing payments are due before program commencement and nonrefundable
for any reason other than lack of availability. Terms and Conditions of the Participant Contract apply. All balances
on a Participant’s CIEE account must be paid in full prior to release of grades.

CIEE Center Staff will review the Housing Surveys and will do their best to pair up students they believe may
become good roommates.

When will I find out my housing assignment?

You will receive your housing and if applicable roommate assignment 3 weeks before you arrive in Berlin.

What if I cannot be accommodated in the housing type I have chosen?

If we cannot accommodate you in your preferred housing type, we will place you in a housing type where there is
availability and let you know three weeks prior to program start. If you are placed in Standard housing, you will not
be asked to pay an additional fee.

Can I live with my friend(s)?

Students are responsible to follow roommate guidelines of their homeschool while studying abroad. If rooming
with students from the same school is approved, they can opt for the same housing category and name each other
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as room or flat mates. CIEE Berlin will consider roommate requests, however, these are not guaranteed. Unless
your home institution stipulates otherwise, students can request a roommate. You both must add each other’s
names to the additional information section of the Housing Survey and sign up for the same housing category.

What if I have a medical or dietary restriction that will affect my housing placement?
These types of issues take priority. Please describe your restrictions and needs in the special needs/requests
section of the questionnaire and email a note from a medical professional to your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor,
indicating it in your housing preference.

What if I’m unhappy with my housing assignment?

It is important for you to allow yourself time to experience and get comfortable in your housing. Getting to know
your roommate and/or adjusting to your new lifestyle in Berlin is part of the challenge of cultural learning that
study abroad provides. Avoid acting on first impressions and jumping to conclusions based on incomplete
knowledge of the area. Give it some time and see how it really works out! If you are experiencing any issues, you
can always talk to CIEE Center Staff.

Therefore, change requests before student arrival will not be entertained. A formal request for a housing change
can be made during the initial housing freeze period (10 days post arrival). If approved, students will receive a new
housing assignment once the housing freeze period is over.

Only in exceptional cases, if alternative housing is available, CIEE may, in their sole discretion, approve and move
a student during the housing freeze period.

Note: Any housing changes requested by a student are subject to availability and may require an additional
payment if the move involves a higher tier of housing. Change requests resulting in a lower tier of housing will not
receive reimbursements of already paid fees.

Are there housing accommodations for students with disabilities?

Participants with accessibility, medical, and/or learning disabilities that require specific housing accommodations
are encouraged to engage with CIEE in advance to prepare for successful participation in study abroad
experiences. Further information and deadlines of 45 days in advance of program commencement for housing-
related requests are available on Living Abroad and through your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor.

Can I request Independent Housing?

Independent Housing is not permitted unless you meet specific criteria:

• Applicant has a natural family member that is a permanent resident in the host location with legal
residency status (limited to parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles) living in the program host city.
• Applicant is a “non-traditional student”, defined as students over 25 years old, married students, or
students with children.
• Applicant has a documented disability housing accommodation requirement which cannot be
accommodated in CIEE’s housing stock
o Requested and approved by CIEE (even if these conditions are met)

Further information and deadlines of 45 days in advance of program commencement for housing-related requests
are available on Living Abroad and through your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor.

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