On this page you’ll find more information about the Berlin trip, such as practical information, locations and a detailed 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 too.
UvA Business School Study Trip 2025
Berlin, January 9-18
Welcome to Berlin!
Contact on-site
In addition to UvA professors Sebastian Kortmann, Carsten Zimmerman and Chaima Elachkar, your contact on-site will be Jesse Falk from travel facilitator Cognicum. He will be posted in The Social Hub, mostly at one of the tables across the lobby/breakfast area. Knowing his way around the UvA trip and around Berlin itself, he’ll be ready to answer your practical and activity-related questions.
Jesse Falk
Practical information
Travelling from the airport to the hotel takes about 60 minutes by public transport or 45 minutes by taxi (approx. €45-50). Here’s a Google Maps link and the address:
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).
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.
Before 15:00
Arrival in Berlin
From 15:00
Welcome and check-in at The Social Hub
15:30-17:00 | Meeting rooms 2+3 @ The Social Hub
Kick-off session
17:30-19:30 | The Commons @ The Social Hub
Opening drinks
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
Working time
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00-10:00 | The Commons
Breakfast
10:00-13:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
13:00-18:00 | At own arrangement
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 and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
09:00-10:00 | The Commons
Breakfast
10:00-12:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-15:30 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
15:45-16:00 | Lobby of The Social Hub
Meet-up at the lobby
16:00-18:00 | All across the city
Winter Light Tour by Trabi
This group activity is all about seeing Berlin from a unique point of view. It’s two hours you won’t forget anytime soon. We’ll be picked up and returned to The Social Hub.
18:00
Arrival back at The Social Hub
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
Working time
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
07:30-08:30 | The Commons
Breakfast
09:00-10:00 | Location TBA
Introduction to the day
10:00-12:00 | Location TBA
Company presentation
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
Dinner and evening
At own arrangement
Tip: Recommendations
07:30-08:30 | The Commons
Breakfast
09:00-12:30 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
12:30-13:30 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:45 | The Social Hub lobby
Meet-up at the lobby & getting on the bus
14:00-15:00 | Transfer
Travel time
15:00-16:30 | Reference visit
BMW iFactory Tour
16:45-17:45 | Transfer
Travel back to The Social Hub
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
Working time
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Open working spaces @ The Social Hub
Working time
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
Working time
12:00-13:00 | At own arrangement
Lunch
13:00-17:00 | Location TBA
Wrap-up & final presentations
17:30-18:00
Travel time to closing dinner
17:30-18:00 | 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
Accommodation
The Social Hub Berlin Mitte****
During this trip we’ll be staying in The Social Hub Berlin. Across the hotel you’ll find various workspaces and meeting rooms for group projects, as well as a restaurant, bar, free WiFi, lounge & play areas, courtyard & 24-hour gym.
Address
Alexanderstraße 40, 10179 Berlin
Google Maps
Check-in/check-out times
Check-in: From 15:00 onwards (Thursday Jan 9th)
Check-out: Before 12:00 (Saturday Jan 18th)
FAQ
Typically, you’ll find Jesse at his table at The Commons, across the entrance of the breakfast area. Sebastian and Carsten are also roaming amongst the project groups, available for advice on the projects. Specific times for this are included in the program overview.
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.