BIMM University (Germany)
It's creative, it's edgy, it's artsy, it's one of the world's live music capitals -- it's Berlin -- and it's also home to BIMM University Berlin.
For students looking to get into the music or filmmaking scene, there may be no better place than this, which is also part of the BIMM University group of colleges.
Sure, BIMM Berlin provides state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, but what really struck me was the quality of the academics, who are real industry professionals still working in industry.
BIMM students benefit from this musical ecosystem, gaining exposure to live performances, networking opportunities and the chance to immerse themselves in Berlin's rich cultural tapestry.
Here are some of the highlights from my visit!
City of Berlin
Dear Berlin: where have you been all my life?
Why have I not visited you sooner?!
Despite the fact that my mom's side of the family is German, I was immediately drawn in by this place and the juxtapositions of old and new all around.
I absolutely must return; five days was simply not enough to explore all the museums, parks and corners of the city I had planned.
As the capital of Germany, the country with Europe's largest economy, so much history runs right through it.
There are remnants of WWII and the Cold War everywhere; the wall that divided East and West Germany until 1989 is now a gallery in itself and a symbol of resilience and unity.
There are plenty of powerful reminders of the city's tumultuous past.
In fact, the bunker where Hitler took his own life ended up being the parking lot behind the apartment where I stayed.
Despite the heaviness of certain sites, I could easily live here; in fact, 57 percent of Berliners are not from Berlin originally.
Berlin is a melting pot of cultures, making it a haven for creatives.
People are open, progressive, artistic and welcoming, and I loved the edginess of the graffiti works all around.
I particularly loved how the transportation system of trams, buses and trains works seamlessly (if there aren't strikes) and operates 24/7 on weekends.
There is also surprisingly a TON of green space; Tiergarten Park is double the size of Central Park in New York!
And who knew that Berlin has more than 1,000 bridges -- surprisingly, more than Venice -- and a multitude of canals.
Campus and academics
BIMM University Berlin is housed across two different sites -- both of which I consider to be ultra cool neighborhoods.
First, the House of Music is located in the R.A.W. area at the intersection of Berlin’s two most creative districts, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.
Everything around the site is about entertainment, arts, culture and creativity, and it has protected land status, so it cannot be developed further.
Amazingly, it's co-located with industry.
In the same building, students have the chance to rub shoulders with companies like iZotope, Patreon, Music Pool Berlin, noisy and Yamaha who work in the offices above the school -- or the 4,000 clients that work out of the co-working space below.
They actively facilitates internships, workshops, and masterclasses with key players in the music business, too.
On this site, there are about 400 students studying degrees in Songwriting, Popular Music Performance, Music Production, Music Business and more.
International students make up 75 percent of the student body.
But perhaps one of the best selling points about BIMM Berlin is the facilities themselves.
With an in-house production studio, more than 20 rehearsal spaces and high-tech equipment (each workstation has approximately 15,000 euros worth of investment), students graduate highly employable.
We were fortunate to see performances by a number of student bands.
BIMM Berlin's newest location is the Molecule Studios in the Alt-Treptow district.
Once home to AGFA (a photographic film company), activity related to visual creation dates all the way back to the late 19th century.
Now completely renovated, this site trains future filmmakers, actors and game designers (about 100 students).
It's truly a creative hub, housing co-working spaces, recording studios and post-production suites.
Like other BIMM campuses, BIMM Berlin has exceptional staff who still work in industry.
For example, Mark Reeder is a well-known British musician and producer who shared his fascinating experiences spreading music underground throughout East Berlin during the Cold War.
Summary - BIMM University Berlin
Is there a more unique place than Berlin?
It is a place that truly captivated my soul with its rich history, diverse culture and dynamic atmosphere.
Constantly undergoing change and development, Berlin stands as a testament to the resilience of its people and commitment to creating a peaceful, inclusive community.
And for international students looking to break into the music, film or acting scene in Europe, BIMM University Berlin is an amazing option.
It's a close-knit community whose industry-facing lecturers leverage their professional experiences and connections to help nurture the next generation of talent.
Trained on state-of-the-art equipment, graduates are highly employable and ready to go from day one.
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