Academy for Cultural Diplomacy

The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS)

Social Activities

At the CCDS we know that choosing where to study is not solely about where you might find the most challenging and inspiring academic environment, but also where you are going to get the opportunity to make the most out of your time outside of the classroom, too. Whilst the CCDS guarantees students a course that is going to be stimulating and enriching, we also have an extensive program of social activities designed to give you the best out of your time in this incredible city.

Lectures & Discussions

A range of lectures will be held by experts from the fields of politics, economics, diplomacy, academia, civil society, and the private sector. These components will inform the students about key perspectives related to the themes of their studies. Each lecture will be followed by a question and answer session with the speaker.

Workshops & Role play

Each semester will include interactive workshops that offer students the opportunity to take part in structured discussions on subjects related to the Semester themes. Workshops provide a valuable counterbalance to lectures by providing an opportunity for participants to express their own opinions and learn from each other.

Round Table Discussions & Debates

These discussions offer a more intimate setting for speakers and students to converse and debate openly. They also allow the participants to interact more directly with the speakers and their fellow participants in a more neutral, equal, and interactive manner. Not only are students able to pose questions to the speakers in these discussions, but the speakers may also pose questions to the participants, all while enjoying a more comfortable, informal, and interactive setting.

Student Leadership Initiatives

Leadership initiatives are cultural exchange initiatives organized by the students with the support of the ICD. These initiatives are the foundation of the ICD's work, because they allow the principles of cultural diplomacy to be spread beyond. At the beginning of the semester students will be given guidance on how to plan, develop, and execute leadership initiatives that have a constructive, sustainable influence on intercultural relations. The students will then have the opportunity to present their projects to the group at the end of the semester.

Socializing in Berlin

Berlin is the perfect city if you wish to immerse yourself in a fast paced, invigorating, multicultural environment and students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity in lots of different and significant ways, as you can see in the list of examples below.

The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies in Berlin promises you an unforgettable social, cultural and educational experience, whatever your involvement in the social programs on offer!

Group Visits: During the semester, students are able to see the city from a different perspective. They will be able to experience all that Berlin has to offer, as well as partake in visits to top Berlin organizations, including: the German Foreign Office, European House, the Olympic Stadium, City Hall, the House of World Cultures, Parliament, the Philharmonic, and various embassies throughout the city.
Trip to Potsdam: The former royal capital is only 30 min away from Berlin with the S-bahn and in one day the whole city can be explored. You can find Prussian architectural masterpieces all around Potsdam, with many baroque creations and numerous palaces surrounded by spectacular landscapes and parks. Aside from the magnificent monuments, Potsdam has many museums, bars, cafes and restaurants to chill at and the oldest large-scale film studio at "Babelsberg Filmpark" can be found here as well. The ICD organizes daytrips to Potsdam to get to know the history of the Prussian Empire.
Embassy Receptions: The ICD partners with embassies for in order to offer evening receptions as well as lectures and events during the semester. These receptions are held both at the ICD House and at various embassies, and offer the opportunity to network with foreign diplomats. Students are able to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the host embassy through the traditional song and dance performances, traditional cuisine, and a uniquely international atmosphere.
Academic Excursions: The CCDS coordinates numerous field trips to many of Berlin's sites of interest, allowing students to engage in academic activities in an out-of-classroom environment. An example of this is a day trip to the Reichstag, meeting place for the German Parliament and a place of considerable historic and political interest.
Seasonal Events: Students even have the opportunity to join in on the activities of major festivities taking place across Berlin, including; the New Year's Eve celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate, Green Week, Long Night of the Museums, International Festival of Media Art, Berlinale International Film Festival, ITB Berlin, March Music Festival, May Day, Annual Berlin Theater Event, The Carnival of Cultures, Heimatlange: World Music Festival, Literature Festival Berlin, Art Forum Berlin, Festwochen, Berlin Jazz Festival, and visiting the world-renowned Berlin Christmas Markets.
International Parties: Every week our students are encouraged to take part in evenings of celebration of the diverse mix of nationalities of which they are made up. Urged to bring along their favorite national dishes and drinks, and to share their favorite music and party games before heading out into Berlin's exhilarating nocturnal scene, the CCDS international parties are something everyone looks forward to after a week of hard work!
International lunch/dinner: Once in a while we are organizing international lunch/dinner where the students of the CCDS can prepare their own national food and present it to the others. Everyone can try each national food and experience the taste of the world.
Quiz Night!: On the last Thursday of every month, the CCDS hosts a quiz night, where students are encouraged to get into teams of 4-6 to participate in an evening of food, drink and quiz fun! There are five rounds; General Knowledge, Geography, Current Affairs, Music and Film and each participant is asked to contribute 2 euros which is given to a different local charity each month.
Film Nights: In addition to running a weekly Film Night the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy often invites representatives of the film industry to participate in events. These individuals are then able to share their expertise and productions with the audience. It is through these Film Nights which the students are able to visually and acoustically experience the cultures of others.
Concerts: Concerts are a way for students to experience the culture and art of foreign countries. The ICD is sponsoring world-renowned performers who share their artistic mediums and talents with the audience. These concerts vary in nature, and include: traditional dance, interpretive dance, violin concerts, choir performances, piano concertos, symphonies, hip hop and jazz performances, and more.

Life at the CCDS extends to both on and off campus and we are always trying to add to our social program to ensure students are not just benefitting from their time at the CCDS from an academic perspective, but from a social and cultural perspective too.

The Programs are offered by: