Ultimately, students are responsible for arranging their own housing. If you want to live in one of the dorms administed by the Studentwerk Berlin (click for map), you apply for a room via the School in Germany. Since they operate on a first-come, first-served basis, we cannot know in advance where your dorm will be or guarantee that you find the same services and amenities in all of them. Typical dorms have up to 10 rooms on one floor with communal bathrooms and cooking facilities. Students are reminded to exercise normal caution with respect to their personal safety and personal property.
Applications are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Rents are set by the the Studentenwerk Berlin. A number of factors, including room size, determine rents, hence these vary from room to room. For rent estimates check the handbook. Rent is payable for each six month period to the Comptroller's office at Middlebury College.
Since the College is in no position to respond to requests for special arrangements, students with more specific housing needs must use those avenues employed by German students, e.g., ads in local papers in Berlin which provide information on private rooms. No addresses or other information are given out by mail. If you choose to room privately, you should arrive in Germany 4 weeks prior to orientation and be prepared to stay in temporary quarters until your search is successful. One of those quarters could be the Studentenhotel Hubertusalle.
The Mitwohnzentrale "Freiraum" can help you to find preliminary quarters as well as a permanent room. You may also check the online-Wohnungsbörse of the Studentenwerk that allows you to choose a price range as well as living arrangements (single room or Wohngemeinschaft) and the offers of the Berliner Wohnungsbaugenossenschaften. If you find your own room, you should be prepared to pay rent for three months in advance.
The staff of the International Office of FU are also available to offer suggestions or support if you choose to find your own housing. Please visit their offices or their website or simply e-mail them to get started bruemmer@zedat.fu-berlin.de.
Whatever you choose, remember that housing with English-speaking students is not permitted.
All images by courtesy of H.F.