Germany

Begin your journey by flying from Los Angeles to Berlin, where you’ll explore how communities in Germany are leading the way in sustainable practices and alternatives to mass production.

Arrive in Berlin and start your adventure with a program overview and a quick introduction to the German language. A driving tour of the city will help you get oriented, as you prepare to dive into Berlin’s role as a hub for sustainability and innovation.

Begin your day with a language class, followed by a visit to the Adlershof Science Center, where you’ll learn how collaboration between academia and industry drives innovation. In the afternoon, discover how a company produces sustainable proteins from non-GMO fungi using a scalable fermentation process.

Explore the district of Neukölln on a guided sustainability walk to see how this area is becoming greener. Participate in an urban garden and upcycling workshop to learn about regenerative agriculture and create everyday items from waste materials. Visit the former airport Tempelhof to see how nature is reclaiming the space, and end the day with a zero-waste cooking class at Restlos Glücklich, learning how to make the most of your ingredients.

Take guided tours of the EUREF Campus, a hub of innovation focused on energy, mobility, and sustainability. Meet with specialists to learn about cutting-edge technology in sustainability. In the evening, participate in a fermentation workshop, where you’ll learn the skills behind fermenting vegetables for taste, nutrition, and preservation.

Take a day trip to Oranienburg for a morning workshop and a guided tour at the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, where you’ll reflect on historical lessons that continue to shape modern values, including those around sustainability. In the afternoon, participate in a Stolpersteine guided walk in Berlin, learning about efforts to preserve history while fostering community engagement.

Explore urban beekeeping with a workshop at Stadtbiene, where you’ll get hands-on experience with honeybees. Visit Markthalle Neun, a vibrant market hall that showcases local food and sustainable practices. Afterward, tour a café where you’ll learn about permaculture and wild herb gardening, experiencing how sustainable practices are integrated into everyday life.

Travel to Dresden for a tour of VW’s Transparent Factory, where you’ll see how the automotive industry is embracing sustainability through CO2-neutral production. Spend the afternoon exploring Dresden’s historic Old Town, reflecting on how past and present efforts can combine to create a more sustainable future.

Conclude your journey with a return flight from Berlin to Los Angeles, carrying with you the insights and lessons learned about how communities in Germany are investing in sustainable alternatives to mass production, leading the way towards a more sustainable future.