<p>D did the FUBIS program last summer through Vanderbilt. She considered it to be a premier experience in terms of exposure to German culture and it certainly advanced her language skills. She took a German course and an art history course. The art history course gave her some exposure to some museum and gallery holdings that wouldn’t be available to the “average Joe.”</p>
<p>We traveled together for 9 or 10 days prior to her reporting in to Berlin, so I was there to drop her off at her temporary home in the area southwest of Berlin. I nearly died - the housing was awful! It had been quarters for US troops following WWII and looked like it had not had any maintenance since that time. No air conditioning, metal springs with thin matress, poor quality bathrooms. I cried when I left her because of these conditions. While she became cranky about them near the end of the 7 weeks (due to increasing temps and no air conditioning), it really didn’t bother her as much as it did me. I guess I thought that since her dad was paying what I considered big bucks, there would be much nicer facilities. However, evidently the $$$ paid were primarily taking care of Vandy summer tuition!</p>
<p>There are other housing options available for more $$$ and I thought the overall experience was above average. The Vanderbilt professor who supervised their group and taught a one week German culture course prior to start of FUBIS classes has become a mentor and friend to D. </p>
<p>binx, I remember reading some of your posts last summer prior to our trip and they were very helpful in planning our joint travels through Munich, etc. prior to D’s arrival in Berlin. Since you have extensive experience in living in Europe, I’m not sure FUBIS would meet her criteria. Good luck to her!</p>