Linus Isaacs ’26 explores culture by walking the streets of Berlin

For Linus Isaacs ’26, studying abroad in Berlin was more than a change of scenery—it was a return to cultural roots and a chance to live inside the history he’s long studied.

“As a dual citizen and a history lover, I always felt a deep connection to German cultural studies,” he says. “History is nothing without context, and there is no better context than culture.”

At Clark, Linus prepared for this experience by building a strong foundation in both language and cultural analysis. He completed Intermediate German 103 and 104, alongside courses such as German Film and The German Discovery of Sex. “It was a great idea to take some German courses before coming here,” he notes, “even just to refresh previous knowledge.”

Living in Berlin, Linus was struck by the rhythm of daily life—especially the experience of walking the city at night with friends. “Berlin, especially Charlottenburg, is a very safe and walkable city,” he says. “The streets are beautiful in their own, unique way. Berlin is not comparable to any other city I have seen before. You just have to experience it first-hand.”

“History is nothing without context, and there is no better context than culture.”

That sense of surprise has shaped his perspective. “My advice to students thinking about going abroad to Berlin would be to not believe everything you may see online or on social media,” he says. “Berlin is insanely unique, and the internet does it no justice. The internet will take the best and worst of Berlin and blow it out of proportion.”

Instead, he encourages others to make the city their own. “Berlin is what YOU and your ‘people’ put into it, and no one else,” Linus says. “You will always find something you can relate to, and will always find something interesting going on.”