FU-BEST

Our dear Spring 2026 students — you did it! ✨

Over the past months, you explored Berlin, challenged yourselves academically, and built friendships that will travel far beyond this city. Our farewell gathering was the perfect moment to look back on everything you experienced and achieved.

A special shout‑out goes to our wonderful instructors, some of whom joined us that evening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge,
passion, and dedication!

As this chapter comes to a close, we want to thank each of you for bringing your curiosity, energy, and openness to FU‑BEST.

Wherever life takes you after your studies, may Berlin stay with you — in your stories, your memories, and the way you see the world.

Take care everyone! 💛🌍

Our Spring 2026 FU-BEST student Ryan will take over our Instagram for the upcoming weekend! Get ready for some sunny content from Crete! ☀️🤩

Here's a little introduction from him:

"Hello! My name is Ryan Augustyn, and I am a FU-BEST student at Freie-Universität, and I have loved my time in Berlin so far and meeting all my FU-besties! I am currently a junior studying accounting with a minor in German studies at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois (go Cubbies). I love sports, Christopher Nolan movies, working out, food, and all things in the great outdoors. My favorite thing to do in Berlin is try Döner spots and keep a ranking of the best spots in the city (Crispy Döner on top). I’m super excited to take you along as my classmates and I explore the island of Crete in Greece!"

FU-BEST Excursion Munich/Vienna – Spring 2026 🇩🇪🇦🇹

Last week, we had our excursion to the beautiful cities of Munich and Vienna!

We started with a sunny weekend in Munich, where we discovered iconic sights like Marienplatz during a guided city tour. Highlights also included visits to the Deutsches Museum and the stunning Munich Residenz 🥨

On Monday, we continued our journey to Vienna. Surrounded by breathtaking architecture, we explored the famous Vienna State Opera and visited the Sisi Museum as well as the Albertina👗Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying local classics like Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte 🍽️

It was an unforgettable week full of culture, history, and great memories ☀️🎉 We learned so much about Bavarian and Austrian life—and had an amazing time doing it!

🎉 Orientation week FU-BEST Spring 2026 🎉

Despite the cold and snowy weather, we had a great and exciting orientation week! In addition to important information that our FU-BESTers received, there was a delicious welcome lunch and a Campus Rallye where our students could get to know each other better 🤩

Other activities included a Pub Quiz to test your knowledge, a walking tour through wintery Berlin and a visit to Ephraim Palace Museum! 🖼️ The orientation week was rounded off with a guided tour of Berlin's underground world!

We hope you enjoyed the orientation week and look forward to the upcoming semester with you 🫶

Fall 2025 — what a semester! ✨

We wrapped up these past months the best way possible: great food, wonderful company, and a chance to look back on everything we experienced together.

We celebrated the winners of our photo contest, and we honored our long‑time faculty member Dr. Marita Roth, who has been part of FU‑BEST for 20 years and has guided countless students along the way.

Now the semester has officially come to an end. Thank you for being part of FU‑BEST! It was a joy to accompany you through your Berlin adventure.

All the best for whatever comes next — may you carry Berlin, your classmates, and a bit of FU‑BEST with you. 💛🌍

Take care everyone and have wonderful holidays at home!

Instagram Takeover with Komal! ✨

Our Fall 2025 FU-BEST student Komal will take over our Instagram during her mid-semester break - stay tuned for exciting content 🎉🪩📽️🎤

Here's a little introduction from her:

"Hi friends! My name is Komal, and I’m a student with FU-BEST at Freie Universität Berlin! I’m born and raised in Queens, New York, live in Kansas City but my roots are Punjabi, and I love sharing my culture wherever I go. I study political science with a minor in intelligence & national security studies at the University of Kansas. I’m a big coffee lover. I love finding the best local cafés and food spots everywhere I go. I’ve loved meeting so many amazing people here in Berlin and exploring the city’s mix of history, art, and global culture. This mid-semester break, I’ll be traveling to Budapest, Lugano, and Milan with other students, and I’m so excited to take you all along!"

o.mal

🌍 FU-BEST-Excursion Fall 25: Cologne & Amsterdam - it was a pleasure ☀️🥳

What an unforgettable trip! ✨ We explored two stunning cities, wandered through their historic streets and soaked up so many incredible stories along the way.

The city tours were full of fascinating moments and visiting places like the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the Royal Palace left us truly inspired 🖌️🖼️👑🎨🏰

We even learned traditional carnival dances and fell in love with the charm of Dutch architecture 🇳🇱💃🏻🕺🏻

This trip was pure magic - full of laughter, discovery and memories we'll never forget 😍

What an unforgettable Orientation Week Fall 2025! 🎉🇩🇪

From the excitement of the Program Check-In and Welcome Lunch to the thrill of the Campus Rallye, our first days were full of energy and exploration. We wandered through Berlin's most iconic landmarks during our City Walking Tour and took a deep dive into history at the Deutsches Historisches Museum 🏛️.
And it wasn't just about academics and culture - we also had a blast at our Pub Quiz night! 🎤🧠 Laughter, teamwork, and a little friendly competition made it one to remember.

Welcome to FU-BEST! We're so excited to see what the rest of the semester has in store! 💫

From Bavarian streets to Prague's skyline - that's a wrap of our Spring '25 week excursions! ✨ (Munich/Vienna & Nuremberg/Prague edition)

1. Visit to the former royal palace, the Munich Residence
2. The Grotto Courtyard, Munich Residence
3. Pit stop at the Silver Planet during our walking tour in Munich
4. Walking Tour of central Vienna
5. Visit to the prestigious Vienna State Opera
6. Visit to the Albertina Museum
7. St. Lawrence Church, Nuremberg
8. Main Market Square, Nuremberg
9. View from Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
10. Nuremberg Old Town
11. Documentation Center at the N**i Party Rally Grounds
12. Astronomical Clock, Prague
13. Prague market square
14. In front of the Charles Bridge, Prague
15. Museum of Communism, Prague

It was amazing! ✨😊

Berlin is covered in snow, and our campus in Lankwitz looks like a winter wonderland! ❄️✨

For the occasion, we had a special guest, and the perfect playmate for some snowy fun - a wonderful sled! 🛷

Big thanks to .isriggs for being our model! ☃️