Dates
January 1 - 19, 2014
Application Fee
$100
Program Fee
$4,100
The Program Fee includes tuition and program expenses. Click on Program Fee for details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsibility of the participant.
Application Deadline
October 5, 2013
Eligibility
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 2.25, including students who do not attend George Mason University.
Credits
Undergraduate
3 semester credits in Government 398, History 398, Conflict Analysis and Resolution 385, New Century College 399, Global Affairs 480, or Honors 240
Graduate
3 semester credits in Government History 598, Conflict Analysis and Resolution 695, or Public Administration 739
Housing
Three and Four-Star Hotels
Excursions
See the itinerary below.
Contact
Denise Elles-Mdahuar via email or by calling 703.993.2155 or toll free at 866.468.1243. The toll free number does not accept calls from the 703 or 571 area code.
Downloadable Documents
Syllabus available upon request
Winter 2014 Great Cities Itinerary
Faculty Info
Dr. Yehuda Lukacs [html]This study abroad program will be led again by Dr. Yehuda Lukacs and will take students from Berlin to Budapest, Belgrade, Sarajevo, and back to Budapest over Winter Break.
2013 Group in front of the German Reichstag (view gallery)
Participants will have the opportunity to examine political, economic, social, and cultural developments in post-communist, East-Central Europe. By visiting four countries - Germany, Hungary, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – students will be able to observe the tremendous transformation of East-Central Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. History in this region is not merely confined to dusty books in libraries; the burden of history seems to resonate in the lives of individuals and plays a key role in the formation of a collective identity within each society in the region. By walking the streets of these magnificent European cities, visiting relevant sites, and talking to locals, participating students should be able to develop an appreciation of what is meant by “the burden of history” in East-Central Europe.
Berlin

Potsdamer Platz, Berlin
January 1-6
The program begins in the German capital with visits to the Victory Column, Chancellery, Reichstag (Parliament), new Government Quarter, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Unter den Linden (Opera House, Catholic Church, Protestant Cathedral), Island of Museums, Fernsehturm (TV Tower), St. Nikolai Church, Pergamon, Gendarmenmarkt, French Church, Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall remains, Memorial Church (WWII-Memorial), Charlottenburg Palace, and Kurfürstendamm.
January 6-7
Experience the charm of an overnight train ride leaving Berlin and arriving the next day at your next destination, Budapest!
Budapest

Baths in Budapest
January 7-11
Onward to Hungary where you will tour the Heroes Square, Matthias Cathedral, Fischerman’s Bastion, Citadel, House of Horror, Shoes at the Danube Prominade, and Dohany utca Synagogue. You'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city as well as a trip to the countryside, including the wine region. Some lectures will be given at the Elte University.
Sarajevo

Winter in Sarajevo
January 11-15
There are lots of sights to see in Sarajevo. Program visits may include the war tunnel, the clock tower, and Markale city market. Discover the yellow and white bastions, experience guest lectures at the university and interact with local professionals.
Belgrade

Great Cities students at the National Democratic Institute in Belgrade
January 15-19
January 15- Arrive in Belgrade
January 16- Visit the University of Belgrade. Attend a lecture on "Making and Breaking Yugoslavia" by Dr. Vladimir Pavicevic. Afternoon city tour of Belgrade.
January 17- Visit the European Movement of Serbia. Attend a lecture on "The Future of Balkans" by Suzana Grubjesic.
January 18- Visit the Belgrade Open School. Lecture "Facing with the Past"
January 19- Depart for the United States
More details coming soon!
Academic Director

Yehuda Lukacs is associate Provost for International Programs and Director of the Center for Global Education. Dr. Lukacs also teaches International Relations and History at George Mason University. He has taught at the School of International Service at American University and the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. In January 2002, Dr. Lukacs was a visiting professor of International Relations at University College Cork, Ireland. He has published several articles and books dealing with contemporary international relations and Arab-Israeli affairs.
Dates: January 1 - 19, 2014
You should plan to leave the United States at least one day prior to the program start date to arrive in Berlin for the first day of the program. You can schedule your return to the United States from Budapest for the last day of the program or choose to travel independently.
Do not purchase airfare until you are advised by your Program Officer.
Approximate Program Fee: $4,100
The Center for Global Education Program Fee includes:
Tuition
Hotels
Transportation
Speakers
Daily breakfast
Most entrance fees and tours
Pre-departure orientation
Emergency medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to George Mason students. George Mason students can click here to download the CGE Global Perspectives scholarship application. Mason students may also use financial aid to cover a program's cost. If you are not a George Mason university student check with your study abroad office or office of financial aid to learn more about how to cover the cost of your study abroad.
How to Apply
Consult the How to Apply section for detailed instructions. Start by completing the online application. Pay the $100 application fee.
Note that all supplemental documents are required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact the Program Officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.


