Study Abroad: Germany

A Semester in Germany

By: Miria Smith

As the first USU student to participate in the Hochschule Anhalt Germany exchange program, I experienced both challenges and many amazing opportunities. The differences in class structure broadened my perspective and the interaction with various cultures enriched my educational experience.

Hochschule Anhalt is a university located two hours southwest of Berlin, Germany on a beautiful campus in the countryside. Though still a bachelors student, I participated in master’s courses with students from ten other countries. Learning together was an adventure as we worked in the classroom and travelled internationally. As part of our studio course, we travelled to Yerevan, Armenia to work with an NGO called Green Lane, whose mission is to educate farmers within Armenia. The founder had a passion that was contagious, and the opportunity to travel to ancient stone monasteries created picture-perfect memories. The experience was unforgettable!

Miria Smith with the other students completing the MLA program at Hochschule Anhalt.

Outside of the classroom, my favorite memories came from interacting with the German people. From a surprise birthday party, to random strangers on a hiking trail stopping to chat, the local people touched me with their kindness. Learning to speak a little German gave me many opportunities to connect with them, and many were surprised and pleased that I had taken the time to learn their language. I loved learning the stories of locals; from the hardships experienced of living behind the Berlin Wall, to the pride of being home to great composers like Bach and Handel. I gained such a deep appreciation for the rich local culture.

Lest I forget to introduce you to my number one sidekick, my husband James was present for the wildest of the adventures! One weekend, with only a few days’ notice, we decided to take a train trip to Prague. We got lost the first night and ended up finding the most delicious restaurant, woke up at 5 am for a sunrise on St. Charles Bridge (my crazy idea), and had a lovely conversation with an older Czech woman in our limited common language of German.

Through the ups and the downs, the Anhalt Study Abroad brought both growth and many good memories. As I move forward, my time in Germany has left me more proactive about my education and more passionate about cultures/nature around the world, including the rich opportunities in the United States of America.

The experience was unforgettable!

Miria with her husband, James, in Berlin, Germany

Department of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning | InSites 2018