Learn German in Munich or Berlin with EF

I spent two weeks in Munich between late July and early August of 2022. The trip was some of the most fun I've ever had.
I was going into my senior year of high school, so I was able to spend time with both older and younger people. For me, socializing and finding friends was easy and led to some great memories. I think most were very open to meeting new people.
I stayed in a homestay, and I found it to be the perfect set up. It was about a 45 minute train ride —which was perfectly fine. The family was nice and cooked great food. They also let me be and weren't overbearing.
I entered the program as nearly a complete beginner. Language acquisition was more difficult than I expected although I still progressed. The daily school schedule varied from class just in the morning (~8:00-11:00) to class and activities for nearly the entire day. I thought the variation kept things interesting and the right amount of busy without leaving no free time.
Munich is a great city and highly accessible by walking or public transport like trains, trams, and buses. I never had any problem getting around/lost. I would highly recommend the Eisbach in the Englischer Garten; it's an awesome river you can swim in. I would also recommend taking advantage of the trains and going to nearby towns (I went to Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Salzburg). I went to Nuremberg with the EF coordinated trip. The EF trips were nice to make friends, but it was fun to be more independent when I already had a group of friends to go with.
I would definitely recommend the program to anyone interested. I was very hesitant to go right up until the last moment, but I am so glad I did.

My daughter spent 4 weeks in Munich. Her host family was a 45 minute train ride to the class each day. I thought she would have a roommate in her age group and also assumed there would be more of a "part of the family" feel. She was in a home where the students were in and out, some staying only for days. My 14 roomed with an 18 yo for a few nights, sometimes there were male students in the home as well. No real family "feel". In fact when we came to the home to pick her up, gift in hand, we weren't even invited in! Instead we were asked to wait at the door and out came our daughter! During the evenings there was very little supervision, many of the 14 and 15 yos drank beer. In fact my daughter was given her first beer under EF's supervision! She also was "courted" by a few different boys and once again, much less supervision than I am accustomed to. Needless to say, things did not go well. One evening my daughter got on the wrong train going home from an unsupervised event, took the wrong train and was lost in the city. She lost her phone and borrowed a strangers phone to call for help. She got back at 2 am! When I needed to call the emergency number...it didn't work! They apologized but the damage was already done. Mydaughter saw a lot of Munich, not sure how much language she learned, but she speaks more easily and quicker so I suppose she learned enough. I would NEVER go back to EF, as I am not comfortable with the oversight, and I would worry for the safety of my daughter

When I first left for Berlin, I had no idea what to expect. Moving to a place where I did not know the language, a single person, or even how to use the public transport, was something that I never thought I would do... But from the moment I walked onto the EF Berlin Campus on that very first day, I felt welcomed and understood.

From their incredible staff, no matter what I needed, I always received help. From questions having to do with the metro, to setting up my VISA, to dealing with personal battles, the people at this school never ceased to amaze me with the compassion they have towards their students. And even now, as I reach the end of my time in Berlin, I am amazed every day at the genuine goodness that everyone on the staff possesses.

Physically, the school itself is beautiful. With up-to-date technology, modern design, and an overall welcoming aesthetic, there is nothing bad one could say with the building in which we learn.

And the students that fill the school are incredible as well. Coming from all over the world, I was able to meet people from countries I scarcely thought about. Speaking about different cultures, customs, and (of course) languages, has opened me up to the world in a way I never would have expected. And I have truly made some of the best friends I have ever had, during my stay in Berlin.

Now for the most important part about my EF Berlin experience: the language. I came to Berlin knowing no German what so ever. And in the past six months I have gone from being unable to even say "Hallo!" to being able to hold my own in conversations, and understand most of what people around me say. And I can assure you that there is no better feeling than the moment when one understands their first sentence in German. It is an unquantifiable feeling of success that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Looking back on my last six months, although they pushed and challenged me in many ways, I would never exchange them for anything else in the world. I have grown into myself in ways that I never expected. I have learned so much.

Thank you so much, EF Berlin, for teaching me a language, for allowing me to find a new home in Berlin, and for bringing me to myself. And, although I have to leave, I am so grateful that for the rest of my life I will have this experience with me. I am so grateful that for the rest of my life, I will be able to speak German.

So, when I first arrived, I was staying in a hostel room with roommates. There weren't really any inherent problems with it; room sharing just isn't my thing. For that reason, I stayed with a family member who lives in Berlin. All of that being said, the school itself is absolutely great. Very clean and modernly designed. The teachers are absolutely great at what they do. The staff are all very helpful and were always available when I needed something. I would definitely recommend this as long as you have a private room or really don't mind a lack of privacy.

I had a really good time in Munich, in this short time i have really learned German well and made lots of friends from abroad ! Different culture and different language at the same time during this time. You can see lots of things here and explore lots of places, and especially the beer here is really cheap. The people from Munich are really friendly, you can talk with them on the train or other place, they will be really happy to talk to you and help you.

I've participated in the program twice and I look forward to doing it again next year.
It's a great opportunity to develop your language skills while still enjoying Munich and your holidays. You can make new friends with people from many different countries and continents. At the same time the school is very professional and well situated, only 5 minutes walking from the English Garden, right next to 'Lehel' underground station and also quite close to Munich's old town.

During my visits I stayed at the EF Residence in Geiger Hotel as well as in the EF Residence close to Olympia Einkaufszentrum. I can recommend both, but second one is exclusively for EF Students, which makes it a great way to spend more time with your new friends and also - in my opinion - it has better standard as it has been open for 2 months right now, so everything is new and working. Rooms are very quiet, clean and contain of a bathroom, a kitchen and one or two beds - depending on your accommodation choice. There is also a common balcony, laundry facility (€2,50 per washing and €1,50 per drying) and a lounge with a big table, sofas and XBOX One. WiFi works very well in the residence as well as at school.

Munich itself is a stunning city, not distant from the Alps and it is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany's biggest federal state. It has a very rich culture, many recreational sites (such as Olympic Park and the English Garden). There are also lots of museums, shopping centres and restaurants. Also, Munich is famous of its Biergartens (Beer gardens), where you can bring your own food (or buy it there) and enjoy the world's best beer. If you'd like to make excursions - Nurnberg, Salzburg, the Alps, beautiful lakes and historical sites are situated in 2-hours distance by train. Around Munich you can get everywhere by public transport for €21 per week.

One day my friends and I decided to rent bikes and bike around the city. We had a ton of fun traveling around together like locals. We biked to the East Side Gallery where there is a large portion of the Berlin wall still standing. We walked along the wall admiring the artwork and talking. Then we went to a grocery store and got food for a picnic next to the Spree river. It was overall an amazing day. also, it is so much fun to meet people from all over the world here. Now i have friends from Argentina, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, France, and Italy. i had the time of my life on this trip and i definitely wish that I could stay longer!

Munich is a great city. Its very easy and affordable to get around thanks to the public infrastructure, so there is never any difficulty finding stuff to do. EF provides lots of activities that focus around the obvious language learning aspect, and also has many that are great ways to meet new people. The teachers are all very helpful and have a clear knowledge of the language. The rest of the staff as well is very friendly and helpful.