Germany and Beyond

I arrived in Freiburg, Germany with zero expectations and that was the best way to go about my study abroad experience.

Location:
Freiburg is the quintessential German college town. It's located in the heart of the Black Forest and is known as the sunniest city in Germany. The size of the town is about 200,000, which perfect to explore the ins and outs of it without being overwhelmed. Freiburg is also mostly students, so international students are not uncommon, which is relieving for those who are unfamiliar with the language. It's close to Switzerland and France, making day trips easy and a great option on the weekends.

Academics:
Classes and the workload that comes with them is reasonable. European politics and studying the European Union may seem confusing at first, but once you understand what the Parliament, Council, and Commission are, you'll be in good shape. There are also a variety of classes to choose from, such as understanding conflict in the Balkans and migration in the EU. The field trips that are included in the program are also an excellent way to get direct exposure to hot-button issues.

Housing:
Students live in apartments owned by the University of Freiburg, which gives them a great opportunity to interact with German students. Although I wasn't too happy about my housing situation because of the condition of my apartment, I was glad I got to know my flat mates and became friends with some of them.

Overall:
Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I've made in my life so far. I made some great friends that I know I'll keep in touch with and had some major revelations while in Freiburg. I highly recommend this program, especially for people who love traveling and aren't afraid to go outside of their comfort zone.