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30 years of BCGS: A look at Berlin's transformation into a metropolis!
Find out how the BCGS exchange program in Berlin has been connecting international students for 30 years and mastering current challenges.
30 years of BCGS: A look at Berlin's transformation into a metropolis!
A very special anniversary will be celebrated on July 9, 2025. More than 1,000 students from Germany, the USA and many other countries have taken part in the exchange program over the last 30 years Berlin Consortium for German Studies (BCGS) participated. This program has proven to be groundbreaking in highly politically sensitive times and plays a crucial role in today's educational landscape.
The 1990s were particularly formative for Berlin because they marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the city's transformation into a global metropolis. Mark M. Anderson describes Berlin as a wounded city that visibly bore the scars of the 20th century. Unlike today, Berlin back then was neither a magnet for tourists nor a creative hotspot for artists.
New requirements in training
In today's globalized world, modern societies place different demands on training. The John F. Kennedy Institute has recognized that intercultural competence and international cooperation are crucial for success on the job market. That is why universities are implementing internationalization strategies that go far beyond traditional collaborations.
Joint study programs and double degree programs are now proven instruments for international university cooperation in Europe. The connection between Germany and North America in particular still has room for improvement. The Transatlantic Degree Programs Project (TDP), in collaboration with the DAAD, examines the potential of joint degree programs and offers workshops to disseminate such programs, particularly with regard to the USA and Canada.
Complexity and opportunities
Although joint study programs and double degree programs are more complex to prepare and implement than traditional exchange agreements, they offer advantages not only for the universities but also for the students. The EU Commission and the US Department of Education recognize the development opportunities here, supported by the new Atlantis funding program. The Bologna Process also promotes discussions about new forms of organization for studying abroad in bachelor's and master's programs.
As part of the TDP workshops, central aspects of such transatlantic study programs are discussed, from curricular integration to legal aspects and semester coordination. These workshops are department-focused and aimed at university representatives, student organizations and internationalization experts to improve understanding and acceptance of transatlantic programs.
Findings from these projects should contribute to the creation of new transatlantic study programs and sustainably promote university cooperation. The TDP project acts as an important exchange platform and moderator.
We can only hope that the positive developments in higher education continue to make great progress. Because in a constantly changing world, education that thinks beyond national borders is a key to future success.