Tearing Down Walls via Berlin's Top Public Universities        

Are you planning to visit Germany while vacationing in Europe? If so, then you'll certainly want to spend some time in Berlin. Not only does Berlin serve as the capital of Germany, but it also has the largest population in the nation (3.4 million). Berlin is located in the northeastern region of Germany, and has become an extremely cosmopolitan region. In fact, its citizens are from nearly 200 countries throughout the world! 

While visiting Berlin, you can enjoy a wide array of popular tourist spots. That includes both manmade structures and natural wonders. Not only does Berlin play an integral role in the country, but it is also a European hub for fields such as science, politics, media, and culture. And in fact, Berlin remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. While staying in Europe, you'll certainly want to visit some of the renowned institutions of higher learning located in the city.  

Founded in 1810, the Humboldt University of Berlin is the oldest Berlin university in the entire city. It was founded by Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose model for universities has had a major influence on other universities throughout Europe. The university received its current name in 1949. While the school's first semester only included about 250 students, today it boasts of over 34,000 pupils. The Royal Library is particularly impressive, and interestingly none of its books were burned during the notorious Nazi book-burning of World War II.  

Another noteworthy university in Berlin is the Free University of Berlin. It was established in 1948, at the beginning of the Cold War. This is one of the top research universities in the country, and has become renowned for its modern and global makeup. With about 31,000 students (2009) and 4,900 staff members, the Free University of Berlin is the second largest public university in Berlin. Research at the school focuses on the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and health. The school consistently ranks among the top universities located in the country.  

A third major public university in Berlin is the Berlin Institute of Technology. This research university was founded in 1879, and has about 29,000 students (2009). The Berlin Institute of Technology is also one of Germany's largest technical universities. Also, the school has the largest percentage of foreign students in Germany, with foreigners comprising about one-fifth of the student population in 2007. Furthermore, eight Nobel Prize winners were either students or professors at the Berlin Institute of Technology. The school's new main library opened in 2004, and was partially funded by Volkswagen.  

While staying in Berlin, you'll surely want to include these universities in your itinerary. Also, be certain to book your holiday apartment online. That will assure you of lodging after arriving in the city.

Get more information about Budapest accommodation, and Budapest airport, lisbon airport on our city guides!