Studying German in Berlin, Germany

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is the Gemini child of Europe with its duality of rich history and
passionate pursuit of modernism. Its flexibility is characterized by its
tolerant culture that not only accepts change, but appears to embrace it.

Don't procrastinate about visiting Berlin. This city is approaching the end of a sizeable transitional phase. It is steadily evolving from a freshly reunited metropolis after the end of the Cold War in order to prepare to be the European Unions epicenter. At the rate at which Berlin is developing and changing, within just a few years, Berlin, as it is now, will be quite different.
Currently, Berlin's cultural atmosphere is considered to be the most
liberal and open minded of all of Germany's cities. For instance, Berlin is known for its world-famous gay and lesbian scene and almost non-existent racial crime rate. The city's legendary dynamism continually evolves as Berlin gears up for the next stage of its culture. This dynamism has, in fact, been accused of endangering the presence of the city's rich history; as Berlin continues to evolve and change, some fear that the city's past will be made trivial, if recalled at all.
Currently, the churches, monuments, as well as other buildings of classic architecture dating back to the 18th century are all over Berlin. However most are surrounded by modern buildings sleekly designed to mirror the futuristic ideals of a developing economic and political center.
Unlike many cities throughout the world, there is no downtown area around which Berlin is built. Berlin is famous for its diverse neighborhoods, each seemingly a city in itself. Berlin's beginnings stem from the union of several separate towns so that to this day, it remains quite decentralized. In addition, the post WWII history of Berlin has greatly influenced the already varied culture of the city. After WWII, when Berlin was divided into East and West by a great wall, it remained separated for 28 years.
The reunification of 1989 resulted in an emotional and tumultuous decade for the people of Berlin, characterized by both excitement and confusion, despair and optimism. Mixed feelings only increased by the many changes that took place, from Germany's entrance into the European Union to the new renovations taking place throughout the city. The glass-and-steel elegance of Potsdamer Platz, a large and central plaza, has been completed, while the Lehrter Stadtbanhof, Europe's largest train station, has made Berlin a major center of transportation.