USAC Germany: Lüneburg - European Studies & Sustainability

I was part of the Session I Lüneburg Program. It was a last minute decision because my other study abroad opportunity at my home university was unfortunately cancelled due to lack of interest. As disappointed as I was, I'm honestly glad that I ended up doing the Lüneburg program. It allowed me the opportunity to break out of my shell. I also had the chance to meet new people not just from Germany, but from all over the United States and other countries as well. The USAC Team are incredibly kind and helpful. I'm naturally a very shy and quiet person, yet I had no trouble asking them for help whenever I needed it. They email you all the information that you need and are willing to answer any questions you might have. I definitely recommend going on the day trips. You will have better chances to connect with fellow students and explore more of the country while also learning some history. If you can, try to go to campus activities and connect with the International Society on campus.

Participating in this program is one of the best decisions I made during my college career. I was able to participate in many cultural immersion activities with the program staff. Furthermore, the faculty of this program are very intelligent and will do their best to make sure that you understand the concepts being taught to you. I believe all the staff at this program went above and beyond for me to make this program a good experience. I especially recommend this program to be very disability friendly. Though there were some hurdles along the way, program staff reached out to various networks within the German disability community to gain as much information as possible to set up an accessible experience for me. The city itself is also very beautiful. There is a beautiful river view near the city center as well as various other nature trails that are good for long walks, especially in the spring time. Being that there is a university in the area, there are many young adults in the neighborhood, and they are often Willing to help new students out. Furthermore, the university takes many other international exchange students through other programming, so there is a network of international students that you were able to connect with outside the program. I recommend keeping an eye out for any messages and bulletins discussing international student events. All in all, this program was a wonderful experience, and I would recommend it for college students looking to study abroad.

I had such a great study abroad experience with the USAC Luneburg program! The city was so pretty, the housing was perfect, and my classes were so interesting. I learned so much about German culture and language. All of the staff were so friendly, supportive, and helpful. They made study abroad and settling into Germany feel so much easier. The program also included so many cool trips. My favorite trip was to Berlin, I got to experience so many parts of the city that I wouldn't of otherwise gotten to. I am so grateful to have studied abroad through this program, it was so much fun!

I loved studying abroad in Lüneburg. The town was small enough where I feel like I really got the chance to practice my German with locals, and they would not switch to English. The program had frequent events, and I felt very connected to everyone in my groups and classes. The classes were challenging, but rewarding. My German skills and cultural knowledge grew exponentially, and I had a great time traveling throughout Germany and beyond!

My spring semester in 2024, I studied abroad in Lüneburg, Germany! I chose a smaller town so I could really immerse in the culture and know my way around. I went with USAC and they were super helpful in every way I needed. Anytime I had an issue, health or unrelated, the USAC staff would drop what they were doing to help me! I loved where my living facility was because other students from all over the world were living with and around me in other apartments! I got to travel so much and meet so many people along the way as well.

It was my first time studying abroad, so naturally I was very nervous. The USAC team did an excellent job of giving students information of what to expect in advance, which was very helpful. The professors were so amazing and I really immersed myself in the culture and language while making friends along the way. If you’re thinking about joining this program, I 100% encourage you to!!

I studied abroad in the summer of 2023 as well, and this summer was amazing! There were already so many improvements compared to the previous year, from more streamlined schedules and more information to improved group experiences. I highly recommend studying in Lüneburg to all potential students!

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This was my first time studying abroad or traveling to a different country. The USAC program made the process very easy and stress-free for students. They were willing to work with me on anything I needed or had trouble with. Studying abroad in Germany was never a plan of mine but got offered the opportunity to do so. I took it and it was the best decision I ever made! I made great friends in Germany, who were willing to help with my studies and guide me culturally, including my travels throughout Germany. I stayed with a lovely host family that was very accommodating and open-minded. My professors were quite understanding and willing to work with their students. It was such an incredible experience that I plan to revisit Germany to see my friends and host family.

This was a great experience! For those who don’t know if it is financially feasible, I would check to see if your school offers study abroad scholarships. Other than what I spent while overseas, my school paid for flights, housing, and tuition. While in Germany there was a plethora of amazing activities to participate in. Of the USAC organized activities my favorite was the Berlin tour. This encompassed guided tour of Berlin with a tour of the Reichstag along with some museums around the area. There was also ample time to explore the city on my own. While I was only there for five weeks, I learned a lot about the German culture and was fortunate enough to travel to both the Czech Republic and Spain! Overall, I would highly recommend to anyone interested in this program.

I spent a semester in Lüneburg with USAC. We had several pre-departure orientation events online. The meeting spots were clear and guides were helpful. During the semester I was able to get involved with a number of student groups and community events, mostly just by checking out posters around campus. I would absolutely recommend this program.

I participated in the Lüneburg Germany USAC program from the fall of 2023 to the early spring of 2024. I was originally hesitant about going abroad alone for so much time. I was used to traveling but never really lived abroad. I was finally convinced by my family and professors to go, and it was amazing. Although I had a hybrid program as part of my home university I was able to fully experience the USAC program. Residing with a host family I was able to practice and experience German tradition and everyday culture to the largest extent. Taking courses on Leuphana's main German campus allowed me to meet local students from the city as well as from all around Germany. From locals to students, to professors, I met a wide array of individuals that enhanced my experience and introduced me to great opportunities and new findings. The program actively gave many opportunities to experience German culture, and visit great locations such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Lübeck! With a good work-life balance, I was able to experience German culture and travel far and wide across Germany and Europe. Geographical location helps a lot! I was able to spend a total of 8 months in Germany and ultimately truly fell in love with the food, culture, and Lüneburg. It is a program I fully recommend and advise for students. USAC does its best to provide its students with the best opportunities in internships, student events, German language learning, and travel. Not to mention the great USAC staff and director! They were always attentive to help with every need and assisted in the whole process from the bureaucratic paperwork down to everyday life and bike options; which truly made it a better experience. It is a program that you get what you put in, it's all there but you have to go for it. Overall a wonderful experience that I am glad I took and would take again if I could.

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Going to Lüneburg, Germany with the USAC Study Abroad program was the experience of a lifetime. To start, the USAC staff made the process a breeze. Shoutout to the Lüneburg staff! Leading up to the experience, staff was always available for me to contact regarding anything from passport information to packing lists, and upon arrival in Germany the staff made sure we were all taken care of. The USAC staff also had a lot of opportunities to explore and involve myself in Europe. Group trips were common, and with destinations that could vary from the Christmas Markets in Lübeck to the Immigration Museum in Bremerhaven, there is something for anyone to enjoy. The instructors are also wonderful. I have always struggled in German classes, but the German instructors in Lüneburg made me feel like I was actually learning. My other instructors were all extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic to teach. I would recommend USAC and Lüneburg to anyone.

I studied abroad in Luneburg during the summer of 2022. I think about my time abroad every single day even after over a year later. I loved exploring the city with the friends I made along the way. My housemate and I were a great team and German food remedied multiple ails.

Luneburg was such a great place to study in. The city itself is very beautiful and charming, and its location is less than an hour from Hamburg by train, making it very easy to visit other cities in Europe. The program staff and instructors were very helpful and kind (especially the program director David, he's a hoot). My classes were all fantastic, with a large selection of topics. Unfortunately, there was not much interaction with the local students, but my during my semester (Spring 2023) there were programs for intercultural interaction in the works. There was a semimonthly Meet the Locals event, but only a handful of locals would show up. Public transit is readily available, and you are given a pass for free access to the bus system in Luneburg as well as public rail and busses within the state of Lower Saxony. If you stay in an apartment, classes are either a 10 minute walk or a 20 minute bus ride, depending upon the assigned apartment. If you choose a homestay, daily transit could be 30+ minutes each way by bus. I did a homestay and absolutely loved the experience, but my daily route included two ~15 minute bus rides each way. Via the free rail system, you can access many major cities for free via lower speed rail, including Hamburg, Bremen, and Hannover.

There was complications within my airline company the day I was leaving, and my luggage went missing for the first 40 days of my trip! However, I would still not change a single thing about my trip, and given the opportunity, I would go back and do it all over again a heartbeat! I met so many wonderful people while I was abroad, from my host parents to the students at the university, and especially all the American friends that were in the program with me! Living with a host family was a great decision for me, they taught me so much and also played a huge role in immersing me in the Northern German culture. I did a lot of really cool things with my host family, like a boat tour in Hamburg, the Lübeck Christmas market, and a professional volleyball game! It was so easy to travel while I was there, but on some weekends when we didn't want to leave, there were numerous activities right in the city! The program also provided numerous group trips to different places on most weekends. I learned so much while I was there and have so many new experiences under my belt now. I can't stress enough how much I recommend this experience to everyone. I will admit, you face many challenges throughout your time abroad, but it truly is worth it and the amazing memories outweigh the bad ones ten fold!

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I studied abroad during the spring semester of 2023 in Lüneburg, Germany. I had previously been to Germany and spoke relatively fluent German, and yet was absolutely floored by the culture shock that I experienced. I felt so incredibly out of my comfort zone. Under any other circumstances I would've likely gone home early. My decision to stay resulted in four incredible months where I experienced personal growth and profound experiences. The USAC team on site was kind, helpful, and made a hard transition as seamless as possible. I also happened to luck out with peers that were also very interested in cultural emersion, learning the language, and traveling. The available courses had a nice variety, from grammar to contemporary literature to history. I felt that the combination of living in Germany and taking these specific courses really resulted in a deeper knowledge of the country. The professors were warm and welcoming, showed personal interests in the students, and I learned a great amount from all of them. My only disappointment was the very minimal exchange with actual German students. This was due to a couple of factors, namely that our main building was not on main campus. The program tried to make the best of it by having us go on campus once a week, but I would have preferred it to be on campus every day. I attempted to participate in as many on-campus events as possible, including getting involved in clubs. This is the absolute best way to "meet the locals", but is just an objectively hard thing to do. I spoke with many students that had also studied abroad, and every single one of them told me that they also struggled finding friends. It's just a short amount of time to make friendships, and the cultural and language barriers can be hard. I chose to live in a "Wohngemeinde" instead of with a host family because I wanted to meet people my age. I lucked out and had great roommates who I am still in contact with. Putting myself out there in the beginning and going out of my way to speak with them was intimidating but ended up being wonderful. Germans can typically be more reserved than Americans in my opinion, so there's a balance to find between not being overbearing while still showing that you're interested in a connection. Traveling on the weekends was a huge appeal of the program to me and ended up always being a hectic but amazing privilege. I believe that almost every person that studies abroad hopes to see other countries while they're there, so I won't write too much about it. I was able to see five different countries, and became really close with other program participants through our travels. I believe that participating in a study abroad is one of the most eye-opening experiences that students can get. Every culture is unique and beautiful in their own ways, and getting exposure to a different language and way of life is so enriching. It broadens your horizons, changes your perspectives, and in makes you a more resilient human being in my opinion. I am so grateful for the opportunity to study abroad and would not change it for the world.

When I went to Germany I became the person I was unable to become when I was in the comfort of my normal life. I met friends that I will have for the rest of my life who helped me grow as a person. And the staff was amazing and supportive of everything we did!

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When I was little, I dreamed of studying abroad in Germany during my college years. Thanks to USAC's program, my lifelong dream of immersing myself in the culture that was rooted in my family for generations came to fruition. Studying abroad in Lüneburg, Germany was a life-altering experience that helped me to grow into the person I am today, especially thanks to my decision to live with a host family. They allowed me to achieve my personal goals of increasing my language skills and cultural immersion. In living with them, we now share an unbreakable bond woven with laughter, tears, and countless moments that will forever dance within our souls.

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Let me give you the run-down: Pre-Departure: USAC needs to improve their stuff ASAP. The people helping me did not fill me in on the order I was supposed to complete the process and it was a nightmare. I was highly unprepared even when I thought I would be prepared — but don’t be scared, people will help you once you get there if it happens! Not to mention the actual USAC office is on my university campus and they still weren’t helpful. If you have questions ask old USAC students that are available pls. There are lots of us. Also ask people travelling with you — some of them have done this before!!! Otherwise, basic knowledge — pay your phone off before to use Airlo for phone plans and find a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees — also being at least 2 CC and 1 debit card — losing your stuff is possible. Arrival/Experience: The beginning is a lot, but stay active and your sleep schedule will adjust. I thought I was good at German and then I got there and it was HARD — but now I know soooooo much more German it’s amazing. The school campus is kind of far from Leuphana, but their plan is to integrate to the main campus so hopefully that happens for you! Otherwise, they have student leaders who are from Germany and speak great English and our two Leuphana student helpers were awesome, we used to go out with them and stuff and have fun. If you’re 18, go to the karoke bar in Lüneburg it’s awesome! Otherwise explore and don’t be afraid to mess up. One time I was ordering a bratwurst with this man at one of the markets and he turned out to just be a customer and not a worker and everyone laughed at me and I was so embarrassed but I laugh about it now — you will too. Try new things and put yourself out there. If you explore alone just make sure you know what you’re doing and are safe. Make friends with your USAC program people because they are awesome and all looking for friends just like you. Make friends with your apartment roomies (I still talk to mine because they were amazing — we’d have nightly dinners and chat for hours at a time together it was amazing and I miss them dearly) or if you have a host family go on family outings with them and practice your German with them — they’re very helpful. Make sure to explore other countries/German cities because it’s fun. Try to figure out public transportation and remember Deutsche Bahn is not reliable. If you’re a frequent traveler to long distance places or plan to go all over Germany, get a trial Bahn card — it’s cheap and discounts your tickets by 25% — just make sure to cancel it in time (like 6 weeks before it expires). Otherwise I can’t think of anything else, but have fun and put yourself out there! It’s a fantastic experience. You also may get home sick, but you can talk to your resident director or a therapist if you struggle with stuff it’s very helpful. I was only really home sick around the Super bowl, but otherwise it was nice. And go on the field trips!!! Our Berlin/Hamburg field trips were awesome and all of the history field trips they take you on are very educational/interesting and sometimes sad. Otherwise, I miss all my friends so use the time wisely. Locals are very nice and friendly. Post-Germany: I’m sad and miss it — post-study abroad depression is real. Getting back to normal life is hard, so remember to take lots of pics and stay in contact with your German/USAC friends to help missing it. And occupy yourself getting back helps too — hang out and catch up with your old friends :)

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Between my fantastic professors, many new friends, the beautiful city, and many trips around the country, my fall semester in Germany was a great experience! I lived in a homestay within a ten-minute walk from the city center, and a fifteen-minute walk from my classes, and I felt independent and free walking around town, buying my own groceries at the farmers market, eating delicious meals around town, and enjoying the lovely scenery. My classes were also amazing, with the rigorous German courses, my language skills improved quickly after about a year without a class, and the extracurriculars I chose (German Film and Nationalism, Racism, and Diversity in Europe) were incredibly interesting and well-taught, with many insightful readings and lesson themes that continue to stick with me even months later. The other staff were also very kind and supportive, and the short-lived USAC community really started to feel like home to me. The biggest downside is that, though the USAC students are considered to be enrolled at Leuphana University, our classes were not on campus but in an annex building in an entirely different part of town, and because of this, I spent little time on campus and found it difficult to naturally interact with German students my own age-- my new friends (who were wonderful) were generally other USAC students-- and because of this, the Germans I was able to interact with the most were my host-father and my professors, and though I enjoyed their company, this was not my ideal situation in terms of cultural immersion and linguistic growth. Nonetheless, I would recommend the USAC program for students considering study in Germany, but unless the location changes, it is something that must be kept in mind, especially for those whose primary goal is a German social life.