Studying and experiencing the European Union

The IES European Union program gave me the most exciting and unique experiences of my life through education, cultural understanding, and plenty of time for tourism as well. This program allowed me to see and experience the culture in 13 European countries, meet diplomats, CEOs, party leaders, and high government officials during our multiple week long course excursions. Visiting the Member States and Institutions was an invaluable experience that truly supplemented all of the work we did in the classroom. The importance of the European Union and the relevant courses offered by the program kept us students informed and active with the issues, and propelled discussion well after class was dismissed. Discussing the current issues of the migration/refugee crisis and the environmental issues as the nations grapple with the issues proves to be a great learning and philosophical experience.
Living alongside German students from the University also proved to be crucial cultural immersion. Cooking, laughing, and singing with these students proved to be some of the most cherished memories from my experience abroad.
The supreme location in the Black Forest with both France and Switzerland at your fingertips, I was able to experience and learn from so many different ways of life. I have never had a more exciting four months in my life and I would do anything to get to relive this experience again. Swimming in the Aegean Sea and skiing in the Swiss Alps within the same week was one of the many many unbelievable experiences this program offered me and it is with a smile on my face that I would recommend it to the next generation of Study Abroaders.