Begin in Berlin
Applying to Begin in Berlin

Applying to Begin in Berlin

How do I apply?
First-year students who have accepted an offer of admission from Bard College and made their enrollment deposit* can express interest in the Begin in Berlin program. Students will need their Bard portal login credentials to access the form. If there are any questions about the program, please email [email protected]
*Please note, only deposited students may apply. 
Apply to Begin in Berlin

Application Deadline

The deadline for applying to the Begin in Berlin program is May 1.
Passport and Visa Requirements
At the time of application, students must have a valid passport, be in the process of obtaining a new passport, or be in the process of renewing a current passport. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, passports must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of return to the United States.

Begin in Berlin participants are required by Bard Abroad to obtain a German residence visa/long-stay visa for students before departing for their term abroad. Part of the visa process includes an in-person appointment at the German Consulate or German Embassy. For this reason, it is important to schedule your in-person appointment as soon as possible upon acceptance into the program. The visa processing time takes about 4 weeks from the date of your appointment. 

Please read the following information on the German Missions in the United States page, which explains the German residence visa/long stay visa process, very carefully: Residence Visa / Long Stay Visa 

If you are traveling with a passport from the European Union, European Economic Area, and/or Switzerland, you do not need to apply for a residence visa.

Students are responsible for obtaining the required documentation necessary to enter the country. All students must arrive on campus on the designated start date of the program. 

All students should notify Bard Abroad upon acceptance into the program if they have plans to travel around Europe before or after their program ends. Students must comply with European immigration rules, which have strict limits on how long one can remain in the Schengen area.
Tuition and Fees
Begin in Berlin students make payments to Bard College for their time on the program. For information regarding tuition and fees, please see this page: https://www.bard.edu/sfs/prospective/tuition/ Additional program fees for Begin in Berlin students include international health insurance and a public transit semester ticket. Those fees will be reflected in the students payment portal once updated pricing is confirmed. Please refer to Student Financial Services for more information regarding the fees and payment process.

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