Bard College Berlin (formerly known as ECLA or European College of Liberal Arts) is a private, non-profit institution of higher education in Berlin, Germany. It was founded as a non-profit association in 1999. Courses are taught in the English language, and the college has a high percentage of international students and international faculty. It is one of the only liberal arts colleges in Europe. Qualifying students earn both an American B.A. and a German B.A. Bard College Berlin is a member of the Open Society University Network. History Bard College Berlin was founded as ECLA (a non-profit association) in 1999 under the leadership of Stephan Gutzeit. The founding dean was Erika Anita Kiss. The first program to be introduced was the six-week International Summer University. Later two one-year programs were developed and still continue to be offered: the Academy Year and the Project Year. A four-year Bachelor of Arts program in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought was launched in October 2009. In November 2011, ECLA merged with Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, USA, and subsequently became Bard College Berlin, A Liberal Arts University. A four-year BA program in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought was introduced in 2014. In August 2018, one of Bard College Berlin's students, Sara Mardini was arrested in Greece while on her way back to Berlin after having volunteered at the Lesbos refugee camp during the summer. The university worked in conjunction with Sara's legal council and Amnesty International to guarantee her release. After 106 days in jail, she was released on a bail of 5,000 euro. Academics Academic programs At Bard College Berlin students may enroll in a BA degree, or in a one-semester or one-year program suitable to their profile, background, and individual aims of study. The college supports internship opportunities and practical training, and has many established connections with the intellectual and cultural life of Berlin. Four-year students may choose from one of three academic pathways: B.A. in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought; B.A. in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought; and B.A. in Artistic Practice and Society, a new program announced in 2022. In 2016, the Program for International Education and Social Change (PIESC) was introduced, which enables students from areas that are experiencing severe economic, social, and political crisis to access the liberal arts education offered by Bard College Berlin. The program continues a long tradition of humanitarian higher education