IES Abroad Freiburg

My time in Freiburg was perfect! The city itself is picturesque, small enough to feel like a home, but big enough to offer lots of great restaurants, cafes, stores, and experiences. There is also a great public transportation system, and it's right next to the Black Forest so lots of hiking opportunities.
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.
Traveling was another highlight. I had the chance to visit so many different countries, with France and Switzerland 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.

A year has passed since I was accepted into my IES Abroad program, and I still reflect on the incredible experience of spending my fall semester in Freiburg, Germany—a country known for its green cities and commitment to sustainability. Though I knew it would be a valuable opportunity, I had no idea just how deeply it would shape me.

Professionally, my time abroad ignited a stronger passion for urban sustainability, renewable energy, and human impacts on the environment. I even picked up GIS skills—something I ended up really enjoying! Learning these subjects in the breathtaking Swiss Alps was a dream, and being guided by German professors offered a fresh, inspiring approach I wouldn’t have found in the U.S. My German language skills also grew, and I hope to use them more in the years to come. The academic experience was truly unparalleled.

On a personal level, living as a local in Germany allowed me to soak up culture in ways I never expected. I explored more than 10 cities, tasting new foods, visiting museums, hiking scenic trails, and uncovering layers of history and tradition. The people I met, both from the U.S. and across Europe, became some of the most meaningful connections I’ve made. Forming friendships with people from different backgrounds opened my eyes to new perspectives, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

I arrived in Germany knowing no one, but I embraced the chance to step out of my comfort zone. Some of my favorite memories were solo adventures, wandering freely and discovering the world on my own terms. That independence made the experience even more fulfilling.

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.

IES Abroad does a fantastic job of offering authentic experiences with the host country’s culture and educational system while catering to students with experience in the American education system. Orientation is in-depth for culture shock, language (whether or not you speak it), educational system, and so many opportunities to make friends with international and local students. IES offers a few faculty-led trips within the host country/surrounding area, which are incredible. They do a great job of picking cities with a rich history and that would be difficult for students to plan a trip encompassing the maximum number of highlights with enough time to enjoy the city. The staff also book tours of the cities with professionals who are always willing to speak at a lower level of fluency with students and explain concepts and events in several ways to that students all understand their point within the host language (if different that native language). Professors are the same and students can tell that professors genuinely enjoy both the subject they are teaching as well as interactions with students from all over the US and are very interested in comparing their experiences to students’.

I felt extremely comfortable in Freiburg from the first day I arrived to the last. A big part of this in my mind is down to the environment and attitude the city fostered. With its bike riding and pedestrian-friendly vibe combined with the fact that it felt just the right size. Not too big and dangerous but also enough people to feel excited. It is also a very beautiful and sunny city. This combined with that IES gives us the freedom to learn while providing support and help to stay safe and enjoy. IES had the perfect balance of providing group activity but not restricting us or keeping us too busy. They understood that we would want to get out into the city and take risks. I appreciated how they showed us how to do this in the safest way possible and did not control us too much. IES did most of the hard work to make settling in very easy and the staff were very supportive and friendly. It felt like a family from day one. The classes and professors were all very good and I liked how they emphasized that we should be speaking German. All of this combined led me to enjoy and feel at home in Freiburg all while pushing my comfort zone and experiencing new things.

I had an incredible experience with the IES Freiburg program! The academics were strong, with passionate professors and a well-rounded curriculum that deepened my understanding of Freiburg and taught in German. I was able to also take a course at the local university. Cultural immersion was a highlight, from city tours to staying in German student housing. The support system was excellent, and I formed lifelong friendships. The program's flexibility allowed me to explore Europe. Overall, it was a life-changing adventure that enriched my education and worldview. Highly recommended!

The European Union semester that IES Abroad offers is very much worth the time, money, and energy spent to get there. The IES staff was extremely helpful in making us feel welcome, heard, and understood as students and as people in a wholly new area. The courses offered were enlightening and brought such an amazing perspective on the European Union and European politics/history in general. It has enabled us to think critically of what's in front of us, which is wholly important when you are speaking with a staff member within the European Union's institutions. Most of all, the trips that IES Abroad offered were simply amazing. It has offered us a healthy mixture of studying and actually immersing yourself in the new environment you're in. I have no regrets choosing IES Abroad for my study abroad experience.

There's a cliché that study abroad changes your life, and I'm here to say that that is 100% true. The academic opportunities, travel experiences, and connections provided by the IES Abroad Freiburg program all made for a truly life-changing experience for me, and I cannot recommend this program enough.

Academically, this program expanded my interests in a variety of subjects, such as migration and human rights, and inspired me to pursue these interests beyond the end of my time in Freiburg. The course-load was also very manageable, allowing for me to actually engage with the topics and readings rather than worrying about weekly small assignments.

I took part in the EU program offered by IES Abroad Freiburg, which included various course-related trips across Germany and Europe. These travel experiences gave me the opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom IRL and allowed for me to bond with my professors and IES staff members outside of the classroom. Furthermore, these trips included free time to explore the cities, expanding my worldview.

Finally, the connections I made as a result of this program are connections I will honestly cherish for the rest of my life. The friends I made are some of the best people I have met, and the professors and IES Freiburg staff members were and continue to be great mentors.

Not only did I grow academically because of this program, but all of the traveling and connections I made have taught me an abundance of life lessons that I'll always hold dear to my heart. Study abroad with IES Abroad Freiburg, and I guarantee you won't regret it!

I was in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany for three awesome weeks before I was sent home due to COVID-19. When I arrived I was greeted by a local German student who lived in my building. I had some time in my room to rest and unpack before meeting the group of IES students and student guides for dinner at a local restaurant. We got to know each other and made plans to find grocery stores, cook dinner, and explore the city together. I was nervous about making friends, but once I was there it was pretty obvious that everyone wanted to hang out with everyone, since we were all in the same boat. This sense of group support and connection continued throughout my time there, and we kept the group chat going even when the program went remote. I also became friends with one of my flatmates!

Our classes didn't start until we had already gone home, so unfortunately we never met our professors in person. Online classes were difficult because all online classes are, but the professors were really wonderful about trying to make the experience less stressful. The IES Abroad staff gave us mixed signals about COVID-19, which is understandable given the unprecedented nature of the crisis, but it was incredibly frustrating and stressful for the students. Our on-site staff told us IES would never send us home, but that was not based on any real policy, so when the Chicago office sent us home we had no warning at all. However, staff changes were made after the fact and they let us know by email.

All in all, I had a great experience and I still miss my time in person with IES. If COVID-19 hadn't happened, it would have been perfect! I absolutely recommend going abroad with IES!