• Andy D. •
• IES Program in Berlin •
• Global Studies Major

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“I moved from an interest in history and political science, to looking at the way knowledge is constructed, and the relationship that has to people.” —Andy D.

Andy spent a full year studying in Berlin, Germany with IES Berlin. He took a variety of courses, and expanded his interest in political science, history and cultural studies. He also had an internship with a social agency working with immigrants.

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Through the IES program, Andy had the opportunity to choose whether he took his courses with other US American and international students at the IES center, or with German students in the university. Since he was a sophomore when he studied abroad, Andy was unsure of his ability to jump into integrated courses right away. By the second semester, however, he took several courses with Germans, on topics like international relations theory and the history of psychotherapy in German speaking countries. In those classes, he observed a faster pace, and more emphasis on projects and presentations. For example, he presented on the reasons for Germany’s lack of participation in the initial invasion of Iraq by US and allied troops.

Andy’s coursework in Germany was an important factor in his decision to declare a global studies major when he returned to the University of Minnesota. “I moved from an interest in history and political science, to looking at the way knowledge is constructed, and the relationship that has to people. Looking at the cultural identities of people, not just from an American’s point of view, but rather from the perspective of another community of people.”

During his year abroad, Andy found ways to integrate into German life. He lived in an apartment with two German students and one Spanish student. “We had to get along, but nobody was seen as the owner of the household, and there was this sense of cooperation that had to be learned from that. It was really great that German students who lived in Berlin their whole life were able to give me advice. We got along very well, so they were able to give me a head start into feeling at home in Berlin and understanding what I was looking for when I was there.”

Andy also had an internship, helping a social service agency that works with immigrants from Eastern Europe. He made a promotional video for the agency, and tutored clients in English. “In doing that internship, I was able to meet a lot of people who I normally wouldn’t have pushed myself to meet. They were international people who didn’t necessarily identify with what is generally thought of as German culture, yet were just as much a part of everyday life in Berlin.”

Last modified on November 21, 2008