IES Abroad Freiburg – Environmental Studies & Sustainability

Studying abroad in Freiburg was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. The city is small enough to feel personal and easy to navigate, but has plenty of cafés, restaurants, shops, and things to explore. With an excellent public transit system and the Black Forest right next door, it was the perfect place to live for both everyday life and outdoor adventures. One of the aspects I appreciated most about the program was its size. With a smaller group, it was easy to form genuine connections, and over time, those classmates started to feel like family. The program is on the smaller size, so I was able to connect with every person in the group, which I really appreciated. By the end, it felt like a big family! Academically, it was exactly what I was hoping for in a study abroad semester. We had lots of field trips that brought our classroom discussions to life, and the classes offered were both unique and engaging, covering topics I wouldn’t have been able to study at my home university. I was able to spend three days in the Swiss Alps hiking and learning! Traveling was another highlight. I had the chance to visit seven other countries, with France and Switzerland being just next door. The closest airport is about an hour away in Basel, Switzerland, and there’s a convenient bus that runs frequently, or you can easily take the train.

It’s been nearly a year since I was accepted into my IES Abroad study abroad program. I was overjoyed to learn I’d spend my fall semester in Freiburg, Germany, a hub of green cities and sustainability. While I knew it would be an amazing opportunity, I never anticipated the profound, lifelong impact it would have on me. From a career standpoint, my time abroad deepened my passion for urban sustainability, renewable energy, and humanity’s environmental impact. I even learned to use GIS, a skill I unexpectedly loved! Studying these subjects in the Swiss Alps was unforgettable, and being taught by German professors offered a uniquely inspiring perspective as an American. My German language skills also improved, something I hope to build on in the future. The entire academic experience was extraordinary. Beyond academics, I immersed myself in German culture, living like a local and exploring over 10 cities. Trying new foods, visiting museums, hiking, and discovering history, languages, and fashion filled my journey with unforgettable memories. I also met incredible people, both fellow Americans and Europeans, forming close bonds with individuals I otherwise never would have crossed paths with. Their diverse cultures and customs enriched my perspective in ways I’ll always cherish. I embarked on this journey knowing no one, yet I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and forged lifelong friendships. There were days I wandered alone, exploring at my own pace, and now I long for those moments of independence. That self-assurance allowed me to fully embrace my study abroad experience, making it all the more rewarding. From a Freiburg specific note- I ended up living in shared housing with German citizens, gaining a glimpse into their life. I did get my own room, which was nice. The grocery store was awfully close to where I lived, so everything was walking distance and if it wasn't, there was a good transit system. One thing to get used to is everything being closed on Sundays. I would also note how loud Americans are. I know I speak loudly, but if you sit and listen to the community around you, not only is it more peaceful, you end up realizing how loud you can get (and how Germans will stare!) Sometimes, mental battles are hard to fight, as you are in an environment with people you don't really know, and no known safe spaces for yourself. You have to be confident, meet new people, explore, really find those supportive areas for yourself. I suggest small weekday trips to nearby cities if you have the time for it, as knowing small little cities around Freiburg made me feel closer to the city and country. My favorite was Staufen! Don't take the time you have there for granted, really appreciate being a local, and don't book every weekend away from your city. Get to know it.

I chose Freiburg specifically because 1) it as an environmental studies program with an emphasis on spending a lot of time outside of a classroom setting and 2) it was a smaller, lesser known city than a lot of other study abroad options which I thought would facilitate a more authentic cultural experience. I didn’t know any German before I went on the program (which is not a problem because mostly everyone speaks english) but by the end of the trip I was able to ask basic questions and read a whole menu/order at cafes just by being surrounded by it. IES does a super awesome job of giving you all the information you need to get around and familiarize yourself (the staff is super friendly and cool), and you also make friends extremely fast ...that was the easy part! I sincerely loved every single person on my program and they came from all over and a variety of schools. Freiburg is in a great location for traveling around Europe, it is the sunniest spot in Germany and there is so so much to do outside (go swimming, hikes, bike rides, concerts in nearby towns, biergartens), the public transportation is amazing and affordable, and you are always surrounded by the Black Forest and expansive fields/orchards to have a picnic in. Freiburg is a perfect size to be able to get to know in a semester and by the end it really felt like a second home to me because there is a strong community feeling there. There's local student spots that hold a lot of events and do a great job including IES and international students. There are also lots of other international students living in the housing so you can meet people from all over the world. Classes were super informative and applicable to real-world sustainability work, not to mention interesting. All the IES instructors were really knowledgable, kind, and approachable and I liked the module schedule because you get to focus on one class at a time. It also helps you get comfortable with your instructor because of how much time you’re in the classroom. There was no one favorite part of my trip because you make so many incredible memories with the friends you gain there whether its just cooking big dinners in someones flat, going to a german Bathhouse, or taking weekend trips to other european cities, but the best thing about this specific program which I think a lot of people who go abroad to other places do not experience is the incredible beauty that we got to see. From the Swiss Alps to the Vosges Mountains in France to the surrounding Black Forest towns, you are seeing beautiful landscapes continuously throughout this program and hiking a lot. I learned so much about sustainability and practicing a green lifestyle which I could have only adopted by being in a green-focused environment. Freiburg is a really special place!