Das beste Semester meines Lebens

Living and studying abroad in Freiburg was everything I dreamed it would be and more. I know that sounds cheesy, but in all honesty, there were times that I just didn't feel like what I was doing was real life because it was simply so amazing.

The program through IES was the perfect way to balance independence in a different country while simultaneously knowing that any problems or questions you have, there is someone there who can and will help you out. The staff at IES really works to make your experience the best it can be, and as a student of the German language, this included not only language immersion but also cultural immersion, which are two hugely important factors when considering going abroad.

For classes, IES offers a wide selection of topics but also gives students the opportunity to enroll at the university, which is an incredible opportunity, as this university is one of the best in Germany. If you decide to only enroll in IES courses, however, you are not missing out on much because these classes are taught by some of the most wonderful professors. They aren't just there to teach you about some topic; they're there to inspire you and help you. It's so obvious that they do what they do because they love it. In addition, with a destination like Freiburg, the overall group is somewhat smaller than in a major city, which is beneficial for academics because class sizes remain small and intimate.

The living situation varies per person; however, there is a general layout. IES divides students into neighborhood groups, so a handful of IES students will live in the same complex. There are usually various areas around Freiburg where students are placed, but everything is easily reachable. Within these complexes, there are different buildings where German and other international students live. IES has reserved rooms for their students, and you may end up living with anywhere from one to five or more flatmates of various nationalities. Your flatmates will become really useful resources for figuring out Freiburg! Also you will always have your own room but will have common bathrooms and a kitchen.

Freiburg itself is a great place to be. There is always something to do in the city, but I never felt overwhelmed. And if you're more of an outdoorsy person, then Freiburg is also perfect because it's in the Schwarzwald region, which provides plenty of hiking opportunities.