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Eager to follow in the footsteps of a college student who studied abroad in Germany and France? We recently caught up with Annaliese from Augustana University, who participated in two AIFS Abroad study abroad programs. She went to Berlin for the fall semester and then to Grenoble the following spring semester.
Discover how Annaliese’s two semesters abroad with AIFS Abroad helped shape her career and improve her foreign language skills.
Choosing a Study Abroad Program Destination & Term
Many study abroad students have trouble choosing just one program destination and term. Annaliese came up with a great solution to this problem—she studied abroad for two semesters in two different countries! Hear why she chose to study abroad in Berlin and Grenoble:
“I chose these locations for the extensiveness of the language courses. I would recommend these programs to students who are interested in language acquisition… I chose Berlin in the fall and Grenoble in the spring because I wanted to focus on German [language] first.”
Academics Abroad
When you study abroad, you get to experience a totally new academic environment. You can learn from professors with unique perspectives, meet international students from around the world, and see how a different cultural context can shed light on your studies. Below, Annaliese describes her classroom experience at Freie Universität in Berlin and the Université de Grenoble:
“I was always with other international students, but I absolutely loved getting to know the students in my classes, as sometimes German or French was our only common language… I was in class every morning, and I had some afternoon classes, but I never had classes on Fridays… When I was in Berlin, we had class excursions every other Friday so our professor would show us around areas of Berlin that we wouldn’t normally see and explain the history of certain neighborhoods.”
Language Learning
Some students, like Annaliese, choose to study abroad in part to advance their foreign language skills, while others don’t want to take any language courses abroad. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad does not require you to speak or learn another language to study abroad—whatever your language preference is, we have a program to meet your needs.
Below, Annaliese explains her experience studying and learning the language in both of her program destinations:
“In Berlin, you can come as a beginner, but for [my specific program in] Grenoble, we had to know some French beforehand. My language skills improved so much, but it didn’t always feel like it when I was in the middle of the semester. Towards the end, I realized how much my skills had improved since my first few classes. My advice would be to speak as much as possible because the more you do it, the more confident you get… I feel like it gave my language degrees some level of legitimacy because I lived there for long enough to really test my abilities.”
Whether you try new out new academic avenues or focus on courses related to your major, studying abroad can help you gain a better idea of where you want to take your career after graduating college. Hear Annaliese explain how studying abroad in Germany and France helped shape her professional future:
“[Studying abroad] has made me realize how much I love languages, and now I am pursuing a career where I have the opportunity to use my languages and learn more.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Abroad programs. Some programs, like Annaliese’s, offer the choice of a homestay—the perfect opportunity to practice your language skills, as she explains:
“I lived with a host family in both locations, and I think it was the best way for full language immersion.”
Cultural Appreciation
Study and intern abroad programs allow you to live like a local in an international destination—often providing immersive cultural experiences that can continue to shape your life long after you return home. These changes may be simple as opting to walk more and appreciate your immediate environment, no matter where you are, as Annaliese explains:
“I loved public transport and how much I was walking. When I came home, I started going on daily walks outside of my normal workouts just to relax and enjoy the world around me.”
Eating is a cultural experience in and of itself. Every dish has its own story and can help you learn more about the local traditions, history, international influences, and geography. Hear Annaliese describe her encounters with the delicious Turkish Döner, which can be found on countless streets throughout the German capital:
“I tried any new food I had the opportunity to. Döner in Berlin is probably my favorite go-to quick meal.
If you study abroad in Germany during the fall semester, you can visit the country’s famous Christmas markets, which are not only a beautiful sight, but also a gastronomic delight—as Annaliese explains:
“One of my favorite days was going to a few different Christmas Markets with my host mom in Germany and trying a bunch of new foods.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
Students choose AIFS Abroad for a multitude of reasons—our inclusive cultural and social activities, trips and excursions that take you around your host country and city, as well as our trusted program options that offer unique cultural experiences and academic credit. Many people, especially those who are going abroad by themselves for the first time, choose AIFS Abroad because they want to have trusted on-site support at their program destination.
AIFS Abroad is well-known for our supportive on-site staff who are there to meet you as soon as you arrive at your program destination. Throughout your program, they’re ready to offer guidance and support whenever you need it. Below, Annaliese sums up her experience with our on-site Program Directors in Berlin and Grenoble:
“The on-site directors were absolutely phenomenal.”
Annaliese’s Study Abroad Advice
For anyone who’s setting out on a study or intern abroad journey, Annaliese offers the following advice:
“Studying abroad will bring up things and challenges that you don’t anticipate. My advice is to keep a positive mindset and be open to trying new things, but also to recognize when you’re tired and make sure that you take time to process everything and recharge.”
Are you ready to take the leap and study abroad like Annaliese did in Berlin and Grenoble? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
