By: Ben Christian
Former Olds College Brewmaster Student
Berlin: the capital city of Germany. A city with a distinct history and a unique culture; there really is
nowhere else like it on earth. Of the forty-one countries and countless cities I have visited, Berlin
stands alone as my favourite city on the planet. It was a no-brainer to commit to spending my
summer there. The E3 Berlin program offers three opportunities and allows students to pick and
choose what they would like to do. The first option is a German language course, the second is an
internship, and the third and final option is an academic course.
Being bilingual, the chance to begin learning another language, was alluring. In fact, the German
language course was the main reason I participated in the E3 program. The course was incredible!
Our teacher, Helga, was an energetic, engaging, frizzy-haired marvel! Perhaps the best teacher that I
have ever had. The days learning German were long but rewarding. Everyone in the program made
significant progress and by the end of the month - we had all completed our A1 certification.
After the first month, I had already made life-long friends. Unfortunately, some classmates left Berlin
- opting to participate only in the language course, or to pursue their internships. I, on the other
hand, decided to use the remaining two months to travel around western Europe and Morocco.
There was one other Olds College Brewmaster student participating in the E3 program. He spent the
summer working at Shoppe Brau, a craft brewery in Berlin. Despite experiencing a vastly different
two months, we both had an awesome time and learned a great deal.
This year, the University of Alberta offered two academic courses: a design course and a
biochemistry course. The biochemistry course was titled “The Science of Beer Brewing”. As a
Brewmaster student at Olds College, there was a clear-cut choice. The science-based course allowed
me to explore in further depth the ingredients and processes that go into making beer.
At the end of the summer, my new friends and I realized that the E3 program is not so much about
the classes and schoolwork, it is about spending your summer in Berlin! It’s about enjoying
everything the city has to offer. You can visit the endless supply of museums, or go to a techno club
on a Sunday afternoon (or literally whenever you want). Benefit from the convenience of the best
public transit system in the world; however, plenty of lakes are within biking distance. Lastly -my
personal favourite- grab a beer from a Spatkauf (late shop) and drink it in a park with friends.
Whatever you fancy, it is in Berlin.