What inspired you to go abroad?
Learning German has become a passion for me since entering college, so my primary reason for going abroad was to gain practical knowledge of German and increase my fluency. I was also driven to visit by my passion for travel and ability to experience new places and cultures.
Freiburg, my home away from home!
Why did you choose IES Abroad?
I chose the IES Abroad European Union program based in Freiburg, Germany because it fit perfectly with my aspirations to refine my German skills, study politics, and travel. The program included three weeks of travel to many different countries, which gave me exposure not just to Germany, but many other perspectives in the European Union.
What was your favorite part about Freiburg, Germany?
My favorite parts about Freiburg were the physical location, as well as the vibrant community. Freiburg is surrounded by opportunities for hiking and skiing, and is close to France and Switzerland. The town has some aspects of a city, but has a real community feel and has a significant population of students thanks to a local university.
What made your experience abroad unique?
Most programs are rooted in one location, but the IES European Union program allowed me to experience many different countries, in addition to Germany, many of which I might not have visited on my own. This was extremely unique and beneficial because it enabled me to study the European Union from more than just one country’s perspective. It was also very neat that all of the travel was incorporated into the curriculum, so there was structure and depth to the excursions.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff in Freiburg were amazing. They were always there for you if you had a question or needed help translating something, like a letter, or scheduling an appointment. They coordinated getting our student visas, as well as access to the local library and dining hall. They were also instrumental on our excursions through helping us navigate the public transportation and coordinating the academic meetings and logistics.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish that I had considered participating in an internship after my program, which would have allowed me more time in Europe and given me international professional experience. It is something that I'm definitely considering for the future!
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
A typical day in Freiburg would involve waking up, eating breakfast with my flatmates, and then taking the tram to the IES Center for classes. Classes typically lasted from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with breaks in between for studying and eating, depending on my schedule. Lunch would normally include exploring local cheap eats and ordering in German.
After classes, I would study and typically make meals with friends in my building before heading to bed. When on excursions, you are generally in academic meetings for a lot of the day, and then you have time off for sightseeing, city tours, and exploring in the evenings. Often, the program will incorporate free days, which allows you a lot of time for sightseeing!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoyed hiking locally, exploring restaurants in Freiburg, snowboarding, and hanging out with friends from the program and German friends that I made. Occasionally, I would plan trips on the weekends to nearby cities or even to France!
Conquering the Alps!
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
The housing options vary in Freiburg. Some options were single studio apartments, while some where single rooms in a shared apartment with German students. I had an apartment with German students, which was a great opportunity for me to engage with the local community and practice my German!
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
One thing I would say is that this program is geared more toward politics (and economics) majors, rather than toward people trying to gain an advanced handle on German. Although German classes are offered at several different levels, most people from my semester came to the program with little to no German experience and were less focused on the language learning aspect.
I came into the program with three semesters of German and was very serious about building my proficiency while there, although did not feel ready to sign up for the IES Freiburg language program, which offers classes in German and involves enrolling in the local university.
While I found many opportunities to practice German with locals, it was easy for other people in my program to insulate themselves from the German locals and students, and just interact with other people in the program. It is also important to know that the program is very intense and rigorous academically, so one must be prepared to balance their studies and travel accordingly.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
This program has increased my desire to travel. Although I visited so many places while abroad and through this program, it has made me even more aware of how many places I have left to go. It has also greatly increased my independence and given me confidence to know that I can successfully travel internationally and navigate other cultures.
Would you recommend IES Abroad to others? Why?
Yes, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to others. I loved the travel component to the program, as well as the town of Freiburg. It is the perfect balance between politics, travel, and language learning.
