Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

I have always dreamed of being able to study abroad and, having now spent over three months in Berlin, I can attest to what an incredible privilege it has been to have this opportunity. First, I am so glad that I was able to study abroad in the city of Berlin. Being immersed in a colorful, artistic, and multicultural town, there was never an uneventful day! Whether strolling past the beautiful East Side Gallery, seeing cool exhibitions on Museum Island, or exploring the shops and clubs of the vibrant Kreuzberg district, I had so many opportunities to explore and experience my host culture.

For me, travel was one of the most educational and rewarding aspects of my program. I really enjoyed our week-long group excursion to Cologne and Amsterdam, which helped me travel and get to know the people in my program early in the semester. A highlight of my semester was biking all of Amsterdam in one night, with three of my program buddies, to see the windmills of the Dutch countryside.

Besides having the awesome experience of living in a new culture, my study abroad semester has allowed me to explore my passion for different hobbies. Whether hiking through the wilderness of Saxon Switzerland National Park, seeing the ancient architecture of Pompeii, or trying the famous Berlin Döner for the first (and definitely not the last) time, I have been able to both do the activities that I love and gain new hobbies—like boating and mountain climbing—that I want to explore further.

I also really liked the academic aspect of my program. My courses were interesting and allowed me to prioritize both learning and cultural exchange through class excursions. The professors were great and encouraged us to make the most of our time abroad. I personally enjoyed my German language class, where I was able to learn German that I could use daily while meeting new people and exploring Berlin.