In July, I embarked on a journey to Osnabrück, Germany, to participate in the Advanced Intensive German program. This six-credit-hour course, primarily composed of fellow USI students, was a unique opportunity that brought together participants from various countries, including Ecuador and England. Beyond the classroom, the program provided us with an immersive experience in German culture, thanks to a buddy system that paired us with local students from Osnabrück University. Additionally, various citywide events further deepened our cultural understanding.
Our academic endeavors were complemented by explorations of Osnabrück and nearby cities. The program organized trips to Münster, Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Berlin, while a self-organized day trip took us to Hamburg. Despite our best efforts to prepare for this experience, there were inevitable challenges that no amount of preparation could fully address.
One piece of advice stood out, coming from Timothy Rosignol, a junior majoring in sociology and German, who was also part of the trip. He shared a perspective that became invaluable during the experience:
“Always try to get comfortable with being uncomfortable because you’re going to be uncomfortable for the rest of your life,” Rosignol advised.
Rosignol candidly described the initial difficulties he faced with the language barrier, particularly during his first week abroad when ordering food became a challenge.
“It was rough at first, and then I remembered that philosophy of mine: You just have to go out and try,” Rosignol said. “You can’t sit here and starve in your room; you have to go out and talk to people.”
Rosignol emphasized that studying abroad is an option for everyone, regardless of their major.
“It does not matter what your major is, you can always do a summer program,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by Bobbie Libbey, a senior majoring in German and professional studies. As a non-traditional student with a family, Libbey had a unique perspective on studying abroad. Her first experience abroad, as a high school exchange student, led to her meeting her husband. Years later, as an undergraduate, she seized the chance to study abroad once again, driven by the thought, “It was now or never.”
Initially, Libbey faced challenges due to her family commitments. However, after consulting with Silvia Rode, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of German, she realized it was possible to bring her family along.
“Well, I have a family, I can’t disappear for five weeks,” Libbey recalled saying. “And she said, ‘Bring them with you.’ A light bulb went off. I mean, I had never considered that.”
With some adjustments, Libbey managed to tailor her study abroad experience to accommodate her family. While other students stayed in homestays or flat-shares, her family rented an Airbnb for the month. They also had to ensure their children were entertained while she attended classes, which included enrolling them in summer camps and language programs.
Libbey reflected on the importance of timing when it comes to studying abroad, a common concern among students. While many may feel that studying abroad doesn’t fit into their schedules, she found that life only gets more complicated as responsibilities increase.
“Anybody who can figure out a way to do it should do it,” she advised. “The five weeks go by very quickly, which everybody at the end of the program realized. But in reality, a semester goes by just as quickly, and even a year in the scope of it. Fast forward 20 years, a year is nothing.”
Personally, this trip pushed me beyond my comfort zone in ways I hadn’t anticipated. For the first time, I traveled solo to Europe and navigated Germany by train. Despite my fear of heights, I was persuaded by friends to tackle an aerial adventure park. Initially, I struggled on a slackline only a few feet off the ground, but eventually, I found myself 20-30 feet up, traversing courses and ziplines.
If I hadn’t taken the leap to apply for this program, I would have missed out on these incredible experiences. While not all adventures are ones I’d rush to repeat, each was undeniably worth it. Saying goodbye to Osnabrück, despite the challenges, was perhaps the hardest part of all.
