Here is what you need to know about the Summer Academy. We will update this page frequently.
USEFUL INFORMATION
In this section we’ll be providing you with all the necessary information for a smooth CSA experience.
In case we missed something or if you have further questions, please contact Anna Domnich: annadomnich@centropa.org.
Use these buttons to jump directly to the respective section on this page.
COVID-19 regulations
As of Saturday, June 11, 2022, all COVID-19 entry restrictions to Germany will be provisionally lifted. From this date, entries to Germany will again be permitted for all travel purposes (including tourism and visiting trips). However, persons residing in the People's Republic of China still need an important reason to enter Germany (due to reciprocity) - this does not apply to German citizens residing in the People's Republic of China. For entry into Germany, proof of vaccination, proof of convalescence or proof of testing is no longer required.
Before travelling, please check the entry requirements and COVID restrictions here again.
CONFERENCE VENUES
Hotel Berlin
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
Monbijoupark
Holocaust Memorial Centre
Pestalozzi Str. Synagogue
Anhalter Bahnhof
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Using your phone in Berlin
If you are from an EU country, you can use your phone the way you use it at home: you pay the same price for calls, text messages and roaming as you would if you were at home.
If you are from a non-EU country, you will need to check with your telephone provider to see if you have the ability to use your phone and if you can send text messages while abroad. Sending texts (SMS) and making phone calls can be costly. Make sure you set your smartphone so that the data roaming is turned off.
Fabian Rühle
Program coordinator,
European public schools
+49 176 457 51975
Lauren Granite
Program coordinator; US teachers
+1 301 787 0052
Maria Lieberman
Hungarian public shools, Centropa Jewish network
+ 36 303 896 164
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN BERLIN
With a valid ticket, ticket holders have access to all public transport in Berlin: S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, trams and ferries. The fare depends on the tariff zone and the ticket’s period of validity.
Berlin is divided into three tariff zones: AB, BC und ABC. Tariff zone AB includes the urban area to the city boundary. Zone ABC additionally includes Berlin’s surrounding area and Potsdam Hauptbahnhof.
GENERAL INFORMATION
9-€-Ticket
The German government launched an initiative to make public transport available for 9€/month. We highly recommend this ticket for your stay. At this link, you can find all relevant information.
Down below, you can find useful information about tickets in general
Buying Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at multilingual ticket machines on the platforms of S-and U-Bahn stations. In buses, fares are paid to the bus driver, in trams at machines inside the trains. In larger stations the S-Bahn and BVG provide ticket counters.
Validation of Tickets
Before the journey starts tickets must be validated by stamping them at the yellow or red boxes on the platforms, in buses or trams. In case of inspection, a ticket that is not stamped is invalid.
Tickets and Fares
One Way Ticket
A single fare ticket (Einzelfahrschein) is valid for one person and a two hour journey through the city.
Tariff AB: 3.00; reduced: 1.90 Euros
Tarif ABC: 3.80; reduced: 2.70 Euros
Short Distance Ticket
A short distance ticket (Kurzstrecke) costs 2.00 Euros, reduced 1.50 Euros and and is valid for three stops with S- and U-Bahn. Changing trains is allowed. The ticket is also valid for six stops in buses and trams, but only if not changing vehicles.
Day Ticket for one Person
A day ticket (Tageskarte) allows traveling during the whole day for as many trips as desired. The ticket is valid from the day of its validation until 3 a.m. the following day and costs 8.80 Euros in tariff zone AB, reduced 5.60 Euros, and 10.00 Euros in tariff zone ABC, reduced 6.10 Euros.
Seven-Day-Ticket for one Person
The seven-day-ticket is valid for seven consecutive days from the day of its validation. The ticket costs 36 Euros. Its validity ends on the seventh day at midnight.
Further types of tickets and information: https://shop.bvg.de/index.php/tickets
Route planner: http://www.bvg.de/en/
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I bring with me to the CSA?
Please bring with you your laptop/tablet, as you’ll need it during the work sessions.
Make sure to have your passport or ID with you during the whole time, and definitely on Friday, July 8, for the synagogue visit.
US teachers: you’ll need charger adapters to charge your devices.
Besides the above, bring whatever you need to feel comfortable in Berlin – however, in general we recommend you to pack lightly.
How should I dress during the CSA?
You can expect a hot summer weather in Berlin, so we recommend light clothing, but be also prepared for occasional rain and chilly evenings. We recommend you the check the weather forecast before your travel. Definitely bring comfortable walking shoes, since we will do a lot of walking. You will need to look nice for Shabbat dinner on Friday night – women, please wear a dress or skirt that covers your knee, and have something to cover your shoulders and elbow. Men, no need for a tie, but a nice shirt and pants. In the synagogue, you need to cover your head – you can either take a hat/kippah with you, or get a kippah at the entrance.
How do I get to the seminar on the first day?
On July 4, Monday, the Centropa team is going to welcome you in the hotel lobby with registration between 11:00 – 13:30. At 13:00, our group will walk together to the conference venue, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Tiergartenstraße 35, 10785 Berlin).
In the hotel, the official check-in starts only at 15:00, but we requested an earlier check-in, so we hope most of you can get your rooms before our program starts. In any case, you can leave your luggage in the hotel. The first meal you’ll receive from us is an afternoon coffee break; therefore we advise you to have lunch or take snacks with you. If you arrive to Berlin later, we advise you to go to the hotel first, and then please join us at year earliest convenience.
Do I need a travel insurance for the CSA?
Yes. Centropa shall not be held responsible for your health and well-being while participating in the seminar and therefore we ask you to please arrange an appropriate medical and personal accident insurance for the period of the seminar for yourself.
How should I prepare for the CSA?
We want to make sure that you take out of your CSA experience as much as possible; therefore we ask you to come prepared, and complete the CSA pre-trip assignments. The assignments include a “Scavenger hunt” to get to know the Centropa website better, and interesting readings and articles about the history and current issues or Germany. Besides, we ask you to read “The Fall of Berlin” by Anthony Beevor, a book we’ll discuss together on day 4.
If you are interested in further readings, films, and podcasts related to Berlin and Germany, browse through our recommendations at the Read&Watch page.
How does the Superevent app work?
During the Summer Academy, we’ll use an event manager app called Superevent, and we ask you to please download it to your phone and use it. In the application, you find the schedule and important information, you can use the social features to stay in touch with your fellow participants, and you’ll receive real-time notifications and updates from the Centropa Team. All participants will receive an email invitation to this app (if you don’t find yours, check your spambox). First you need to download the Superevent app to your device from your App store / Google Play. Then you need to enter your invitation code (received in the email) and log in with setting your email and password.
How much free time will I have in Berlin?
You find the exact seminar schedule here. If you are looking for recommendations of what to do in your free time, check out our “Explore Berlin” page.
How can I use my phone in Berlin?
If you are from an EU country, you can use your phone the way you use it at home: you pay the same price for calls, text messages and roaming as you would if you were at home.
If you are from a non-EU country, you will need to check with your telephone provider to see if you have the ability to use your phone and if you can send text messages while abroad. Sending texts (SMS) and making phone calls can be costly. Make sure you set your smartphone so that the data roaming is turned off.
Who do I call if I need help?
If you need help during the CSA, feel free to contact the Centropa team:
Fabian Rühle (Program coordinator; European public schools): +49 176 457 51975
Lauren Granite (Program coordinator; US teachers): +1 301 787 0052
Maria Lieberman (Hungarian public schools; Centropa Jewish Network): + 36 309 895 104
How about money?
The currency in Berlin is the Euro (EUR,€). 1 euro is about 1,11 USD.
During the Summer Academy, we ask you to cover for yourself your trip to and from the airports, and your meals, transportation costs and entry fees during your free time.
What do I need to arrange if I arrive to Berlin earlier or stay later?
Unless discussed with you otherwise, Centropa has booked you a hotel room in the Hotel "Hotel Berlin" for July 4-11. If you arrive earlier or stay later in Berlin, you need to arrange accommodation for yourself on your own. You can decide to stay in the same hotel, but we ask you to arrange this with the hotel separately.
Meals
The meals served will not contain pork and crustaceans. There will be a vegetarian/vegan option. Please note that we cannot offer kosher meals.
Important Directions
Downloading Berlin-map via Google Maps or MAPS.ME
We highly recommend to download an offline map of Berlin via Google Maps or MAPS.ME. This will allow you to have full navigation without having to rely on mobile data.
For Google-Maps, you can find a tutorial via this link (Android&iPhone).
For MAPS.ME, you can find a tutorial via this link (Android&iPhone).
Directions to the hotel from airport/main train station
Flughafen Berlin-Brandenburg
Berlin main train station
To and From the Konrad Adenauer Foundation
This is a 10 minute walk.
To the foundation:
When you walk out of the hotel, turn left onto Lutzowplatz. After about 20 meters, be sure to stay to the right to stay on Lutzowplatz. Stay on the street as it turns into Herkulesbrücke and then Klingelhoferstrasse. Turn right onto Tiergartenstrasse, and the Foundation will be on the right after 70 meters.
To the hotel:
When you walk out of the Foundation, turn left onto Tiergartenstrasse. After about 70 meters, turn left onto Klingelhoferstrasse. Stay on it as it turns first into Herkulesbrucke and then Lutzowplatz. Stay left to remain on Lutzowplatz and the hotel will be on the right after about 90 meters.