A quick blog of my two weeks in July at GLS' Berlin College in Prenzlauer Berg.
I spent two wonderful weeks at the GLS Berlin Campus. The best part wasn't just the campus itself, but the neighbourhood around it. Prenzlauer Berg is lively, full of cafés, bars and small streets that make you want to keep exploring. I expected to improve my German, but I didn't expect to feel so at home in Berlin after only two weeks.Its location is perfect: the M1 tram stops right outside the campus, and Eberswalder Straße station is only a short walk away. Even then, I rarely needed public transport because the neighbourhood itself has so much to offer. Kastanienallee and the nearby Oderberger Str. are filled with cafés, bars and great places to spend an evening. If you're interested in 20th-century history, the campus is also quite close to the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer, which is definitely worth a visit.
While GLS gives students plenty of freedom outside class, they take learning very seriously. My teachers were dedicated and prepared engaging activities for each grammar topic every day. One great aspect was that they also adapted the lessons to what our class needed most, both for grammar and speaking.
The lessons were also a great way to meet students who didn't live on campus and make new friends.
As for the activities, I tried to join as many as possible, while still choosing the ones that genuinely interested me. The variety is incredible: from graffiti workshops to classic museum visits, there’s something for everyone.
I started off with two museum visits: the Ethnologische Museum and the Museum für Naturkunde (the one with the famous T. rex skeleton), both of which I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see some places I wanted to visit on the activities, so I managed to go to both the Zoologischer Garten and Victoria Park by myself (and I cannot recommend them enough).
I also spent a morning at the East Side Gallery, which rightfully deserves the hype.
One time there was a Freiluftkino night, and we saw Little Miss Sunshine; it's one of my favourite memories.
In Prenzlauer Berg, however, it wasn’t so much about museums as smaller, more intimate places. There was the bar my roommates and I called “The Flower Place”, which is just a 5-minute walk away from the college. We ended up there so often that it almost became part of our routine.
I was also incredibly lucky with my roommates. We had a splendid time together, but still respecting each other’s rhythms. With a kitchen in the apartment, I couldn't resist cooking a few Italian meals. The room wasn’t spotless when we arrived, but we quickly made it feel like home. Being in the attic, it got hot at times, but 5 floors downstairs, the garden provided a bit of cool air.
Looking back, those two weeks gave me much more than better German. I made great friends, discovered a city I quickly came to love, and gained memories I'll keep for a long time. I'd happily recommend the experience to anyone ready to step outside their comfort zone.
