UGA - Franklin - Freiburg Study Abroad : Testimonials (Frankfurt)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Final Reflection Questions
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Learning more German, making new connections, and realizing I am capable of traveling in other countries sometimes without all the resources I would usually have.
— Haley Passmore, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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My confidence in the language improved drastically. The teaching style at Goethe was incredibly efficient and kind.
— Ines Tulic, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I learned so much about how sustainable living can be easily achieved. Freiburg gave the group many examples of clean energy. I also had a good experience in my language class because it allowed me to be fully immersed in learning the language with people from around the world.
— Brianna Valenzuela, Summer 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Learned to speak German better than I ever could in an American classroom.
— Benjamin Giebelhausen, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Being able to see sustainable living in action and actually thriving was a huge eye-opener for me. Of course I supported renewable energies and sustainable living before this program, but actually travelling to a city where the residents truly take these ideas as a way of life was awe-inspiring. It made me excited for the future and eager to bring the informations I learned about communities, city planning, and sustainable living into my life and hopefully those around me.
— Kari Hiner, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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My German improved significantly from being immersed in the culture. This program allowed me to open up and really polish my communication skills, while developing my understanding of environmental aspects of German culture.
— Krystal Stennett, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Having the opportunity to become a part of the culture of Germany is an experience that I will treasure forever. We were able to study the German language while utilizing it in every day conversation, while also learning about the sustainability of the city of Freiburg. My biggest take-away from this experience is that the best way to learn a language is to use it.
— Madison Helmick, Summer 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The experience thought me a bit of independence abroad. I have never traveled without my family. I learned a lot about freiburg and being green.
— Shawn Holman, Summer 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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This trip really helped me better understand my place in the world, and it helped focus my goals for the future. Now, I feel more confident in the direction I want to take after college. It showed me the difference in cultures, and consequently, what makes my culture special. It made me more appreciative for the differences and similarities between us. It generally gave me more confidence as a traveler and as someone undergoing new experiences.
— Hannah Thomas, Summer 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The ways Germany (and specifically Freiburg) and America differ in environmental activism and consideration really blow my mind. I approach every day with a different perspective now.
— Ava Burgess, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Large-scale sustainability is, unfortunately, a fever dream for the United States (purely because of attitude).
— Christopher Dionglay, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I recognize that it is the typical trope for the young college student to take some time abroad to "find themselves", but I would not be entirely truthful if I did not admit to having an experience not dissimilar to that. Up until this program, my first-hand understanding of the world had been limited to this side of the Mississippi and Mason-Dixon Line. I do not want to say that that fact contributed to me being "uncultured", but I certainly felt like I was. My life had been calculated, comfortable, and safe; I always retained a measure of control over reality, if that makes any sort of sense. And this was a fact that was always in the back of my mind, nagging, ever persistent; it convinced me that I possessed a distinct lack of maturity, self-awareness, and confidence, stemming from an average life characterized by average experiences. This program, in part, silenced that voice. — Evan Johnson, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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learning German
— Noah Kopp, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Going to Freiburg allowed me to greatly improve my German language abilities, gave me the opportunity to make a ton of new friends both from UGA and around the world, and gave me the opportunity to travel pretty extensively through Europe. It was an experience that I will remember and carry with me for the rest of my life.
— Ellie McQuaig, Summer 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I felt like I learned much more German in this month-long program in Germany than in my other college courses. Additionally, being exposed to the German culture furthered my understanding of it. Learning about culture in class is a lot different than witnessing it in person.
— Abbie Thomas, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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It is worth it if you are considering going back to Germany because it helps you understand the culture better when you get to live there for a month.
— Ryan Charnoky, Summer 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Immerse yourself fully into what this amazing country has to offer. Speak as much German to as many Germans as you can. Never feel embarrassed, shy,or intimidated.
— Mark Ogletree, Summer 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Just do it.
— Benjamin Giebelhausen, Summer 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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If you have any interest at all in either the German language or environmental policies/sustainability, this is the program for you. Before going I was a German minor and mildly interested in sustainability. After seeing Freiburg and the surrounding areas in action, I returned inspired and excited for future possibilities here in America and throughout the rest of the world. Not to mention the increased confidence in my speech and understanding of German.
— Kari Hiner, Summer 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Students shouldn't doubt for even a second which program to take part in. Despite being a German minor myself, I think this program is rewarding for non-German students. My advice would be to take a leap and spend a month in Germany, make every second count, and make new friends. I have made amazing friends on this program-- friends from all over the world, that I will be able to visit in the future. I thank the University of Georgia and Dr. Crawford for this amazing experience.
— Madison Helmick, Summer 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Do it.
— Shawn Holman, Summer 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Just do it. You'll probably meet some AMAZING people, and the city is great. Not to hectic either, anyone can handle it, I promise.
— Gemini Kaushik, Summer 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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My words of advice would be that I think a passion, now matter how new, for the German language and/or the German culture is really important. My thirst for knowledge concerning the German language really sustained my interest in Germany so that I never felt aimless or homesick. Other people in our group connected to the trip through sustainability/environmentalism, Germany's progressivism, etc. I think that having some personal interest in the country or its culture is really important, rather than just going to travel or see a new place. Going there with a personal purpose for learning, and bringing a personal interest is really important to making the trip mean the most in your specific life, and in meeting your specific goals. It helps.
— Hannah Thomas, Summer 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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If you want to get a leg up on learning German, this is the program for you. You learn as much as you would learn in a semester and more because you are surrounded by the language and culture every day. If you choose to really commit to learning German on this program, you will learn so much!
— Ava Burgess, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Do it.
— Christopher Dionglay, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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The program is all the more beneficial if you allow yourself to be wholly immersed within it. You are going to be presented with a robust amount of opportunities to engage with the culture of the city, meet an interesting cast of characters, and-- ultimately-- step outside of your comfort zone; so, take them. And, from a language-learning approach, attempt to speak as much German as you can possibly manage, no matter the level of your comprehension; it is genuinely the best and only manner through which to improve. — Evan Johnson, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and you will be more successful with the language if you speak with confidence.
— Noah Kopp, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Regardless of the level at which you speak German, this is an amazing trip. I had initially planned to go a year earlier and chose to wait so that I could get better at German beforehand. I stand by my choice, but regardless of your language ability when you start, it will be greatly improved by the end. Additionally, everything about the trip is well organized and leaves little room for stress.
— Ellie McQuaig, Summer 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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My advice for students considering this program is to study hard while you're in Germany - this isn't a vacation, it's a learning opportunity. Of course, have a good time and go on day trips and weekend trips but just don't forget how important it is to put effort into learning German.
— Abbie Thomas, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It helped advance my German language skills so I will be able to live in Germany and study abroad sooner than without the program.
— Ryan Charnoky, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I think it has made me want to pursue a career where I can travel and interact with others from different cultures.
— Samantha Harper, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I now have the personal goal to visit Germany as many times as I can. Maybe one day, I will call Germany home.
— Mark Ogletree, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I think the experience made me a more flexible person, more capable of handling diversity and understanding cultures, and I also learned more German. All of these things will help me in my future education and career goals.
— Haley Passmore, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This experience made me want to help be the change in the world! I hope I can take home all of the information I learned about here (sustainable practices and green energy) and do it justice in the States.
— Ines Tulic, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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My knowledge of the language greatly improved and I am more educated on our environment.
— Brianna Valenzuela, Summer 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I'm now considering a minor in German.
— Benjamin Giebelhausen, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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Being immersed in the German culture and language has fueled my already existing wish to live and work there someday. I felt more confident every day I was there and learned many things I never would have learned in a classroom in Athens, Ga. The experience and knowledge I gained in the area of sustainability and renewable resources has turned those topics into something I hope to pursue in the future. My major is graphic design, but with an ever-growing world, I hope to be able to use my talents for projects that revolve around sustainable communities and meaningful/impactful design.
— Kari Hiner, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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The experience opened me up to career opportunities abroad, so now I am considering medical school in Germany.
— Krystal Stennett, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I definitely want to work in Germany when I graduate and develop a deeper understanding of the culture.
— Macy Sullivan, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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Because I am able to speak German at a conversationally-fluent level, I hope to use the language to fulfill my future career plans in the U.S criminal justice system. This experience helped me improve my speaking skills and cultural knowledge.
— Madison Helmick, Summer 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I will be moving to Germany in about 2 to 3 years because I love it a lot.
— Gemini Kaushik, Summer 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It showed me that I do want a lifelong relationship with Germany. I want to be involved, traveling, and it motivated my goal to learn German. It did also give me clarity about how I want to use German in my life. Now, I know that German is a personal passion that I want to retain in my free-time. I learned I probably don't want to sculpt my career around my German-speaking skills. I really feel so much more motivation and focus for my future and the career that I want because of this trip.
— Hannah Thomas, Summer 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I feel much more prepared to spend a semester abroad in Germany. Without this program, I don't know if it would ever be possible for me to study for an extended period of time in Germany and feel comfortable in the language. This brings me so much closer to my goal of fluency and has made me feel so prepared in my pursuits of studying and living in Germany.
— Ava Burgess, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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Well.. I have, on top of two majors, a German minor now, so that should amount to a rather interesting work load over the next couple of years. I have also been considering the prospect of a full semester abroad in Germany, though, we shall see.
— Evan Johnson, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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More concrete understading of the German culture
— Noah Kopp, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I was already considering pursuing my master's degree in history in Germany before this trip, but having spent a month in a university town only increased that desire. Additionally, my time in Germany encouraged me to pursue fluency in the language rather than just remaining conversational.
— Ellie McQuaig, Summer 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I felt like this experience made me more comfortable with speaking German and navigating Germany. This will help me be more open in the future and more conscious of other cultures around me.
— Abbie Thomas, Summer 2019 |