Author: Caden Williamson | Major: Computer Science and German | Semester: Summer 2025

View from the Heidelberg Castle

Before attending the University of Arkansas, I had taken two German language courses in high school out of a slight interest in German culture and to fulfill a graduation requirement. I expected it to stop there: a shallow understanding of a new language and brief, yet colorful, glimpse into the culture of a faraway place. What I didn’t expect was living abroad in Germany for an entire school year, making close friendships with international students, and completely immersing myself in the German culture while advancing to a high level of proficiency in the German language. This past year, I got to do exactly that, as I studied at Technische Universität Darmstadt with the International Engineering Program at the UofA.

After I enrolled at the University, I found out about the IEP, which would allow me to study abroad for a year in Darmstadt, Germany, and get a double-major in German and Computer Science. I somewhat spontaneously joined the program with a friend, but after a strong first year of German courses, I became very committed to my goal of spending a year abroad. In the years leading up to my year abroad, I took German language courses up through Advanced German II and other German-major specific courses like Intro to German Literature and German Civilization, which built on both my language and cultural understanding. Thanks to the Honors College Fellowship, about a year before I would leave for Darmstadt, I was also able to spend a month abroad in Berlin, which was an invaluable experience on its own, but also was a great practice in confidence for the challenges to come.

Soon after I arrived in Darmstadt, I began a German intensive course. I was placed into a B2.1 level course, but after some thought and persuasion by a peer, I moved up to the B2.2 level course, which was considerably more challenging. I pushed myself during each class period and outside of the classroom, but I did not end the course with my desired grade. Although this first course did not go as expected, it taught me some very valuable lessons. Learning a new language this late in my schooling is a very humbling process, and there was part of me that wanted to believe my language skills were better than they really were. Peer pressure and my ego got the best of me, and I ended up in a course that was a bit unreasonable for my current level. Although I gave this class my full effort, I did not get the intended result. For one, this taught me to be honest with my own abilities, so that I do not hinder myself or others around me. Secondly, it helped me become more secure with my language proficiency through how I moved forward. After the month-long class, I reassessed my skill level and enrolled in a more fitting course, which I excelled in.

Another academic challenge that I faced was the unfortunate course catalog. Since I was attending TUD for my fourth year, there were only a few classes that I needed transfer credit for. Although these courses were offered at TUD in previous semesters, none of the courses I required were offered during the winter semester. To adjust, I had to enroll in some graduate-level courses that were either predicated on the knowledge gained from these required courses, or that contained that material in combination with other topics. These courses posed an extra challenge when compared to those a fourth-year student would typically take, but with my newfound confidence and awareness, I was ready to accept the challenge (although I was really not left with much of a choice).

Outside of class, I made many trips to downtown Frankfurt, which was only about 30 minutes from Darmstadt, as well as to other German cities like Regensburg, Munich, Köln and Heidelberg. Although international travel was not always within the budget, I did get the chance to visit Strasbourg, France, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Although I loved seeing other countries, the most memorable travel moments were with the new international friends I made. One of the most surprising things about studying abroad was how close I got with people from other countries besides Germany. I met many different German students my age, but because TUD has so many transfer students, I was able to also make friends with people from all over the world! Along with the other students from Arkansas, I made friends with students from Brazil, France, Taiwan, Pakistan, South Korea, Turkey, Morocco, and many other places. I should have assumed that it would not just be us few American students in a sea of native Germans, but this multicultural exchange was a pleasant surprise and has made me a more sociable person.

I can hardly believe my time in Germany is over for now. After years of preparation, I was able to take the leap and move to a new country for almost a year! Sometimes it was alienating and very difficult as foreign exchange student, but no challenge came without its reward. After this past year, I feel more confident and independent because of the challenges I faced and the bravery I showed in moving abroad. I also feel a greater connection to people and a duty to help mankind that has grown through learning to communicate beyond language and other cultural barriers. My year in Darmstadt will likely be one of the defining years in my young adulthood, and I am endlessly grateful for the experiences I had.