Learn German for 15 hours a week while you experience a city humming with creative energy at Greenheart Travel’s teen summer language camp in Berlin! Become immersed in the German language and live with a host family as you explore Berlin’s opera houses, theaters, and museums that attract art lovers from around the world in daily cultural activities and excursions.

What do past participants say about the program?

“I had a lot of fun at my summer camp in Berlin. I feel like the experience has helped me become a more tolerant person; I adapt and appreciate what differences people have to offer. I’m more understanding of the fact that people are different and that I can’t change that. I’ve made a lot of friends from around the world. One of my roommates is from Spain, and another is from Russia. The daily excursions were very entertaining and I really enjoyed my time in Berlin.” – Aria Villnerve, Greenheart Travel alum and scholarship winner for summer camp in Berlin

• Must be between 14 – 17 years old
• Be in good mental* and physical health
• Have a genuine interest in learning German and immersing yourself in the culture

*What does it mean to be in good mental health?

*Moving to a new culture and staying in unfamiliar surroundings without your normal support structure can be very stressful, even to a well-adjusted student. Sending a student with pre-existing conditions on a long-term exchange program could exacerbate whatever challenges the student was previously facing. In order to ensure the safety of our participants, we must be rigorous in our pre-screening of all high school abroad applicants.

Therefore, we may not be able to accept students who have struggled with any kind of mental illness, specifically within the last 2 years and/or are reliant on medication to address their existing mental health condition. Each student will be addressed on a case by case basis and ultimately it is Greenheart Travel’s in-country partner who holds the right to accept or decline a student based on their individual policy.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Eating disorders
• Chronic debilitating migraines
• Bipolar Disorder

All students who currently experience one or more of these conditions will be required to submit an addendum to the terms and conditions as well as a letter of support from their current mental health specialist. If the student’s mental health issue has been managed (post-medication) for over 2 years, we will still require a note from his/her relevant practitioner (psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, etc.) as part of the application process.  We encourage you to discuss your specific situation with us directly before securing these documents.

Summer 2024 Dates

Start Dates:

• June 16, 2024
• June 23, 2024
• June 30, 2024 [Start Date for Absolute Beginners]
• July 7, 2024
• July 14, 2024
• July 21, 2024

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis up to one month prior to your selected start date or until the program is at full capacity.

Program Duration: Programs can be from 1 week to 6 weeks long. The program closes on July 27, 2024. Students should plan their program duration accordingly.

Please Note: If you are a complete beginner, you must begin on June 30th.

2024 Program Cost:

• 1 week: $1,790
• 2 weeks: $2,590
• 3 weeks: $3,500
• 4 weeks: $4,360
• 5 weeks: $5,330
• 6 weeks: $6,450

Please note, all prices are listed in USD.

Packaged into the Price:

• 15 hours of language classes per week
• Airport pickup and drop-off upon arrival and departure in Berlin
• Host family accommodation (or residence hall upon request)
• 3 meals per day
• Comprehensive medical/accident insurance
• Fully chaperoned cultural activities & excursions
• Local transportation card
• Half-day arrival orientation in Germany
• On-site language level placement test
• Comprehensive program handbook with cross-cultural communication training and German culture tips
• Certificate of completion at the end of the program for use on college applications
• Access to Greenheart Travel Facebook groups to connect with alumni and others on your start date ahead of your program.
• Greenheart Atlas Program 

Our Support and Services: 

• Extensive pre-departure advice and support from  your US-based program manager! We will be with you from your first inquiry, all the way through preparing to leave and your arrival in Germany.
• Support services from in-country staff upon arrival to Germany.
• Online pre-departure cultural and logistical orientation before you leave.
• 24-hour in-country and emergency support for the duration of the program, including 24-hour emergency phone numbers to reach a program manager at any time.

Additional Expenses to Budget for (Estimates):

• Roundtrip flights to Germany
• Spending money for souvenirs or snacks while in Germany

Payment Details

• $300 Application Fee due by the program deadline to formally apply
• $300 Commitment payment due after acceptance within 14 days to save your spot on a certain start date
• Remaining balance is due 8 weeks before departure to Germany

Worried about the program fee?

Our goal is to help make travel accessible to everyone and we are here to help when you are deciding if this experience is financially do-able. Each year we offer scholarships for high school study abroad students! We also have a guide to fundraising your program fee, and many high school students fundraise in their hometown ahead of their program.

We also offer discounts for applying early (plus there are many other benefits to applying early!) for each start date and for US families that have hosted an exchange student with Greenheart Exchange.

Please inquire here if you have questions about the program fee, scholarships, or fundraising for your program.

Educational visits and excursions form an important part of the program. An exciting day by day program will be given to the participants upon arrival. There will be weekly visits to museums, as well as a bicycle ride around Berlin and a city walking tour. Students will also enjoy sports activities and various evening entertainment opportunities!

Please note:  Participants are not allowed to go out at night outside the host family unless accompanied by a chaperone.

Here’s a sample of what your day will look like:

9am: arrive at language school
9am-12pm: language classes
12pm-1pm: daily lunch (pack lunch provided by host family)
1pm-4pm: cultural activity
4pm-curfew: commute home, dinner and hanging out with with host family

There are 3 different levels — Elementary, Intermediate, or Advanced. The levels are sub divided up into two sub levels depending on your linguistic skills. You will be given an admissions test on your first day of school to evaluate your skills and place you in the proper level. Please note there is only one date on which complete beginners can begin.

German Courses

• 15 morning classes a week (3 classes per day for 50 minutes each)
• Classes are taught by native German teachers who specialize in teaching German as a foreign language
• Lessons involve speaking, listening, reading, and writing in lively and informal small classes with 12-15 students
• You should take a German/English dictionary, notebook and pencil for class but your school will provide all books and workbooks.
• Students receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course

School Location and Classrooms:

The German language school is located not only in central Berlin but in the very heart of the capital. It offers modern facilities, internet access, study lounges, and places to relax.

All students fly on their own to Berlin. A representative from the language school will pick them up and take them to their host family.

All classes start on Monday, but students should:

• Arrive at the Berlin airport on your program start date (Sunday) between 9:00am and 6:00pm
• Depart on the Saturday at the end of your program after 11:00am

Arriving or departing outside these designated windows will incur additional fees.

Students live with host families in carefully selected private homes that can accommodate 2-4 students at a time. Students will share a room with one other student of the same gender. The host family will provide breakfast, lunch (pack lunch during the week) and dinner each day. All students in family-owned residences are supervised by local families and have a curfew.

All residences are located 40-60 minutes’ distance from the language school (metro cards are included in the cost of the program). Prospective hosts undergo a rigorous screening process. Participants can rest assured that only suitable host families will be selected. In order to qualify, the residence owners must:

• Successfully pass a criminal background check
• Undergo and pass an in-person interview with program staff
• Agree to and pass a home inspection

*If you would prefer to live in a dormitory which is closer to the language school, we do have options available for an additional fee. Please schedule a call for more information. 

Committing to a language camp program can feel a bit daunting, but we are here every step of the way to make the application process as simple as possible. Below are the steps you’ll need to take to be accepted on a Greenheart Travel program.

Once you start your application, you have two weeks to finish.

1. Ensure Your Eligibility: The eligibility requirements, such as age or language proficiency, may be required for certain destinations.

2. Start Your Application Here. You will be sent more information as well as the link to our application portal to begin your formal application. You’ll be able to save your progress along the way.

3. Sign the Terms & Conditions: After you complete the first part of your application, you (and your parent(s) if you’re under 18) will be asked to read through and sign our Terms and Conditions which outline the requirements and policies of the program

4. Submit your application fee: You will need to submit your $300 application fee at this point in the process. This is required in order to reserve your spot on the program and is subtracted from your total program fee.

5. In-Depth Questionnaire: This is the most in-depth part of the application process as it helps us get to know you better. You will need to provide detailed information about yourself, why you want to go abroad, and what you hope to gain from your experience. You will also need to upload your passport.

6. Acceptance: Greenheart Travel will thoroughly review your application and will contact you within 1-2 weeks to confirm your acceptance. If we find something in your application that we have concerns about, we will let you know immediately. 95% of applicants are accepted on the program they apply for.

You’re Accepted – now what?

Your program manager will be in touch with you directly about your acceptance. At this point you will be required to submit a second $300 commitment payment that also goes towards the total amount (it’s not extra). This is your commitment to your start date and once we receive it is when details will start to be booked on your behalf.

You’ll then be able to download the program handbook from the portal, which talks more about your program, as well as supplemental information about dealing with culture shock and our insurance program. We will also schedule an online pre-departure orientation to answer any lingering questions you may have. You can expect to receive your host family placement 1-2 weeks prior to your start date.

Greenheart Travel has been sending teens to Germany for many years, and there are advantages of applying for this program through us:

• 33 years of experience with cultural exchange programs.
• Friendly, responsive, and professional support from your program manager.
• Connect with alumni and others on the program via our Greenheart Travel only Facebook forums, before you even leave!
• We try and make our program fees as inclusive as we can. We include things like medical insurance so you don’t run into any hidden fees down the line.
• Greenheart Atlas Program. The Greenheart Travel Atlas is a cultural training interactive guidebook alongside five videos where you will find three main topics covered: Personal/Professional Development, Cultural Understanding, & Environmental Awareness.
• Our alumni recommend us! GoOverseas.com Reviews // GoAbroad.com Reviews
• Hands-on support and personal attention every step of the way
• 24/7 emergency phone number to reach a staff member at any time
• Pre-departure “Culture Shock and Adjustment” Webinar before you leave
• Discounts for future Greenheart Travel programs
• We are a non-profit, mission-based organization
• Continued support throughout your time abroad

We also have some unique offerings to our Greenheart Travel students and alumni!

Greenheart Global Impact Grants (GIGs)

Greenheart GIG Grants are funds awarded to Greenheart Travel participants to use for community development projects in their host or home country after they return home. A GIG is the opportunity to create, improve, or maintain an impactful, community-focused project abroad or at home. Grant funds could be applied to supporting women’s cooperatives, schools, community centers, or health clinics, for example. Grant winners will be featured on our website, social media, and blog. You can see our past winners on our blog here.

Greenheart Alumni Program

We created the Greenheart Travel Alumni Program to provide resources and a community to support alumni in their advancement as global leaders, and a way to celebrate and reward our participants for being ambitious, inspiring catalysts of cultural exchange!

Junior Greenheart Global Leaders Conference

Each May Greenheart offers full-ride scholarships to around 10 teen alumni to attend our annual conference in Chicago. You can see more about what Jr. GGLC is and what you could do at the conference here.

Have questions and want to chat with a program advisor? Set up a time here: