Berlin Study Abroad: May 15-28, 2009
      
      SUMMER  2009: Plan now for a two-week documentary journalism trip to Berlin, Germany’s capital, a cosmopolitan, historical city of more than three million people. Journalism professor John Freeman, who began his photography career there in high school, will lead the course (for the fifth time) to capture changes since The Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago. Applications are closed as the enrollment quota has been reached. Email jfreeman@jou.ufl.edu to be put on a wait-list.
     COURSE FORMAT: Participation will be limited to 12 students. The JOU4930 Special Topics class will count as a 3-credit-hour professional elective and will be listed as a Summer C course. Students will conduct interviews, write profiles and produce online slideshows or video during the two weeks. A  website and print exhibition will be produced. Newsworthy topics will be determined before arriving in Berlin.
       PROGRAM FEES:  ($1,686 for undergraduates (graduate students: $2,352). This includes 3 course credits, 13 nights of lodging and breakfast at The Transit Loft Hotel, a city bus/subway pass, bike and walking tours plus four group meals, including the farewell dinner 680 feet above Berlin in the TV Tower's revolving restaurant. Airfare is not included because students may wish to travel independently in Europe before or after the program. In May 2008, students paid about $850 for flights from Newark (Continental) or New York's JFK airport (Delta) starting from Orlando and Miami.
Click here to see the 2008 participants.
Click here to see the 2008 website.


Center of the former West Berlin.

Former East Berlin's World Clock.
 

Hotel Lobby and Sights


Transit Loft-Hotel lobby. Students are housed 3-4 to a room (single beds). The hotel provides private showers, a large breakfast with cold cuts and is close to a city tram stop.


Several tours, including a four-hour bike tour, will introduce students to Berlin during the first  days of their two-week adventure documenting Germany's capital. German language proficiency is NOT a requirement for this Summer-C course, listed as JOU4930.

 

 



 SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. Where do I sign up? First, come by 3070 Weimer Hall and talk with Prof. Freeman. The formal application process is handled through UF’s International Center, room 170 Hub. Their web link is: http://www.abroad.ufic.ufl.edu/  Out-of-state students and May 2009 graduates are eligible for the course but must submit the right application material. Contact Dr. Susanne Hill: shill@ufic.ufl.edu
  2. What are the exact dates and times? Everyone should be at the hotel for a 5 p.m. meeting on Friday, May 15. Most people will depart the USA on overnight flights on Thursday, May 14. The farewell group dinner is Wednesday, May 27, which is our last night at the hotel. You check-out on the morning of May 28 (Thursday).
  3. What is not included in the program price? As mentioned, airfare is not included because some students will travel on frequent-flyer miles, or may choose to spend extra time in Europe before or after. Continental airfare prices run about $950 out of Orlando and Jacksonville. Any meals besides breakfast at the hotel and the four group meals are not included in the program fee. Extra tours, phone calls, souvenirs, Internet access, etc., are your responsibility.
  4. What is the course structure? Everyone will photograph or report on a particular subject during the stay in Berlin. Days in May are long -- sun-up is about 4:30 a.m. and it sets at 9:30 p.m. Everyone submits 10-15 photographs and one audio track for a picture story to be presented in Soundslides. Also, a 250-word written story. Material will be posted online from Berlin. Everyone submits five random good photographs and updates a blog on the trip. Professor Freeman will provide individual coaching of your work and we will have several group sessions to look at everyone’s progress in a supportive manner. The course will be listed as "off-book" for Summer C. Do not sign up for JOU4930 online with ISIS. Official sign-up will happen through the department of journalism office, after your application is approved by the International Center.
  5. Is there any “free time?” Yes, we usually have one group activity a day, but many hours during the day are free-time. Coursework is of course your first responsibility.
  6. Do we meet as a class before the trip? Yes, once the group is finalized, Professor Freeman will set up two meetings before the spring 2009 semester ends. We’ll discuss possible themes and topics and hear briefly about the history of Berlin. You’ll also receive some handouts to read. We won't meet formally after the trip, but you must maintain email contact.
  7. Is there photo equipment available? Yes. We will have an assortment of Nikon and Canon lenses available for the trip. Canon Digital Rebels are also available.
  8. Can students go on the trip if they haven't taken a photo class? Yes, you'll get a crash course in quality photojournalism to produce your  “words and pictures” packages.
  9. Do I need to know German? No, many of Berlin’s citizens are fluent in English.
  10. When is final payment due? Because the hotel is popular and requires a partial payment to hold our reservations, all prospective travelers should complete applications with the $250 deposit according to UFIC guidelines (within 7 days). Final payment of fees is due in early April. 
  11. Where do I get a passport? First, apply now and beat the summer rush. It could take up to six weeks. Go to either the Federal Building downtown, on the “right side” (south) of the downtown library, or the University Station Post Office just north of University and off 17th Street. The web link for first-time passports is: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html
  12. Any health concerns? Food and water are safe; Berlin is a major cosmopolitan city. One drawback compared to U.S. standards is that smokers seem to outnumber non-smokers.
  13. What's the hotel like? At Transit-Loft, rooms are clean but plain, without a TV, phone, hair dryer or air conditioning. The weather is usually mild, though, 50 to 75 degrees in May. Your room has three to four single beds, and one bathroom with shower, sink, toilet. Two floors below is a pool hall/bar.
  14. What about laptops and Internet access? In 2008, the hotel added free wireless. A laptop is strongly suggested for the trip, or at least a good friend with a laptop.
  15. Cell phones --U.S. AT&T and T-Mobile phones work great. Costs are usually $1.29/minute, though. Verizon and Sprint phones are not on the correct frequency for use in Germany. Some people buy a European cell phone on a pay-as-you-go plan.