Student Voices

Jean Louise Brody, '12

Major: German and English
Minor: Secondary Education
Hometown: Pewaukee, Wis.

For Jean Louise Brody, the decision to study abroad was easy. So was the decision of where to study. She had traveled to Germany in 2007 and couldn't wait to go back.

"I love Germany and just going there again was one of my goals," she said. Jean Louise traveled to Heidelberg, Germany, through the American Junior Year at Heidelberg University program and DAAD-German Academic Exchange Service. She was introduced to the programs through Prof. Greg Baer and a class visit by a program coordinator.

Jean Louise studied for six months at Ruprecht-Karls Heidelberg University, from February to July 2009. While there, she stayed in the Jenilik Haus-Women's Apartments in the Altstadt.

Before traveling to Germany, she was proficient in the language, but her fluency grew due to intense grammar classes and essay writing. She selected classes based on interest and some of them transferred back to Carthage for credit. Mostly, she covered general credits while abroad.

"I loved the learning atmosphere at the university, as well as the social life," she said. "It was wonderful to have an exhausting week of classes and then let loose dancing at the discos on the weekend."

Most memorable experiences while abroad: "I remember mostly the excitement of being at a large, beautifully historic university town. I would eat breakfast looking at a castle. Heidelberg was just a amazingly beautiful city with so much diversity and lively atmosphere."

Biggest challenges: "My experience was packed with challenges of the real world. I was in a living structure like an apartment building and had to really take responsibility for myself. A lot of the challenges were becoming more comfortable being alone and independent and being able to fend for oneself."

Advice for other students who are considering studying abroad: "Go for it! Get yourself out there and experience the world. You will not just be learning a new culture, but you will be experiencing an exchange year in yourself. Going somewhere strange is the best way to get to know yourself better."

— Elizabeth Reinhardt

Student Voices

William Viarnes, '10

William started planning his semester abroad a semester in advance. Read more.

Amber Callender, '10

Amber spent six months teaching in Guatemala. Read more.

Jean Louise Brody, '12

Her advice: "Go for it! Get yourself out there and experience the world." Read more.

Karin Stefans, '11

"I traveled almost every weekend, and I got to see so many different places. Ireland is a breathtaking country." Read more.

Alumni Stories

French major and Fulbright Scholar returns to France after graduation. "I never learned so much in five months," she says of her undergraduate semester abroad. Read more.

J-Term at Carthage

Not ready to spend a full semester abroad? J-Term study tours provide a wonderful introduction to international education. Read more.