USD Business School Study Trip 2026
Berlin, January 7-17
Welcome to Berlin!
On this page you’ll find more information about the Berlin trip, such as practical information, locations and a program overview. In between the working sessions, we’ve planned several social events. However, there’s also plenty of time to explore the city, for which there are recommendations as well.
Contact on-site
In addition to professor Carsten Zimmerman, your contact on-site will be Jesse Falk from travel facilitator Cognicum. He will be posted in The Social Hub Berlin, mostly at one of the tables across the lobby/breakfast area. Knowing his way around Berlin, he’ll be ready to answer your practical and activity-related questions.
Practical information
Travelling from the airport to the center of Berlin takes about 60 minutes by public transport or 45 minutes by taxi (approx. €45-50). Here’s a Google Maps link and the address to The Social Hub Berlin, where the work sessions take place and multiple social events start/finish.
The Social Hub Berlin
Alexanderstraße 40, 10179 Berlin, Germany
More info can be found under ‘Transportation’ in the tab below:
Below you’ll find (basically) all the means of transport around Berlin. Pro tip: Exploring the city on foot will provide you with great views and discoveries.
Public transport
Berlin has an excellent public transport system, mainly consisting of trains (S-Bahn), metro (U-Bahn) and busses. They use the same ticketing system, based on zone. For your trip from the airport to the hotel you will need zone ABC, for getting around Berlin AB is sufficient.
Where to purchase tickets
If you’re planning to use the public transport system of Berlin a lot, an app like the BVG Ticket App for Apple / Google will save you hassle. Options range from single tickets to taking a 7-day pass.
Alternatively, you can buy your ticket in the train, metro or bus itself. Be aware though, that you have to stamp those paper tickets on the machines (generally located on the platform) for them to be valid. Berlin’s quite strict on checks.
Taxi
Another way is to get by of course is to use a taxi, or Uber or Bolt for example.
Other options
Next to these means of transport, there’s also variety of electric steps/scooters and bicycles available (for example TIER).
Key locations
Purple = Program activity
Blue = The Social Hub Berlin
Green = Cultural recommendations
Blue = The Social Hub Berlin
Green = Cultural recommendations
The program
Below, you’ll find the most recent version of the program overview for Berlin. Note that this overview is being optimized along the way to the trip in January.
10:00 – 12:00 | Meeting room 5
Welcome and introduction to the program
12:00-13:00
Lunch at own arrangement
13:30-17:00 | Open working spaces across TSH
Working on projects
19:00-22:00 | Gasthaus Alt Wien
Opening dinner
Evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00 – 12:00 | Open working spaces @ TSH
Project work
12:00 – 13:00
Lunch at own arrangement
13:00 – 17:00 | Open working spaces @ TSH
Project work
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00-12:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
10:00-12:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
13:00-15:00
Optional tour: Winter Light Trabi Tour
One of the main reasons people like to visit Berlin, is its historical relevance and the many landmarks. A unique way of catching multiple sightseeing locations in one go is the Trabi tour. In about 120 mins, you’ll take place in unique and historically relevant transportation (hints: cold war and limo’s) along some key locations across the city. Known as one of the highlights of the Berlin study trip program, you can sign up for the tour through Jesse. Additional cost involved.
Rest of the day
Free time
Depending on your preferences, you can choose between the many cultural and historical sights, locations and museums Berlin has to offer. We’ve included a selection in the recommendations.
Dinner & evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
Day program
At own arrangement
18:00
Optional: Dinner at the TV Tower Alexanderplatz
Come along to this iconic location, for a dinner with a view. The cost for getting to the top floor of the tower is €28,50 (+3% administration fee) per person, and dinner costs are on own arrangement.
Tip: Recommendations
09:00-12:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
12:30-13:00 | Location: TBA
Kick-off session for the Detecon group
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00-10:30
Introduction to the day
10:45 | The Social Hub Berlin
Meet-up in front of TSH
11:00-12:00
Transfer to BMW iFactory
12:15 – 14:30
Extended factory tour @ BMW iFactory Berlin
The BMW Group is known worldwide not only for its automobiles, but also for its premium motorcycles. The BMW Group Plant Berlin is one of the BMW Group’s most traditional locations. Since 1969, BMW motorbikes have had Berlin’s air in their tires. Here, more than 2,200 employees manufacture over 900 two-wheelers every day. What motivates them? Their passion for innovative and individual mobility – whether on two wheels or four. Experience the production of the legendary BMW motorcycles up close in this plant tour.
14:45-15:45
Transfer back to the center of Berlin
16:00-17:00
Project work/free time
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00-12:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
07:30-08:30 | The Commons
Breakfast
09:00-12:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Project work, preparing for final presentations
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00 – 12:00 | Meeting room 5 @ TSH
Wrap-up & final presentations
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
16:00-18:00
Free time
18:30-19:00
Travel time to closing dinner
19:00 – 22:00 | Paolo Pinkel
Closing dinner
Evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
Before 11:00 | The Social Hub reception
Check-out of the hotel
At own arrangement
Departure from Berlin
Recommendations
To get you started in Berlin, we’ve brought together a list of recommendations across the city. They cover anything from practical locations such as supermarkets and pharmacies to cultural recommendations and other things to see around town.
If you have questions about one of the places mentioned, or anything other travel related, don’t hestitate to reach out to Jesse or another crew member present.
FAQ
Typically, you’ll find Jesse at his table at The Commons, across the entrance of the breakfast area at The Social Hub Berlin. Professor Zimmerman is also frequently found here.
A: We’ve prepared an overview of Berlin recommendations, including everything from practical locations such as supermarkets, pharmacies and the hospital. Here you’ll also find a list of locations with historic and/or cultural relevance, and are generally worth checking out.