Center for International Studies : St. Cloud State University

Charlie

Germany

I can truly say the greatest decision of my life was to go on a Study Abroad trip. At first when I met the other three students I was about to live with the next five months I was a bit nervous. However in the end the four of us together made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. I was a part of the Spring 2009 trip to Ingolstadt, Germany.

At first arriving in Germany I was a bit overwhelmed with the language, and not being able to understand everything that was going around me. But the four of us grouped together and got ourselves to our ride and eventually to our new home. While sitting in our van, looking out at the beautiful landscape of Bavaria, we knew we had finally made it.

Ingolstadt is located around 40 minutes north of Munich. It is in the heart of Bavaria, in southern Germany. The world headquarters of Audi is located in Ingolstadt, and most of the town’s 130,000 resident’s work at Audi. The Danube River flows through right outside the city center, and the town is divided into two parts, the new town, and the old town. The town is a perfect size and you are within walking distance of everything. The bus in town is also very well run, and very easy to get used to. There are two train stations that have trains to Munich, and Nuremburg two times an hour as well as too many other places. Whenever we were bored we would jump on the train and go to Munich and walk around the town. We would go to Munich for movies in English, and just to sight see.

One fun thing we also go to do was go to a Bayern Munich Soccer game at their beautiful Allianz Arena that fits 70,000 screaming people. We went to this game with our assigned buddies at the university. It was one of the best experiences on the entire trip.

In Ingolstadt everyone speaks English; they just are afraid too. It is very easy to get used to ordering in German at restaurants, but if you don’t quite understand they are glad to help you out in English. They really do appreciate you trying to speak German, but do understand you are not from there so they will gladly help you out!

While in Ingolstadt, you will be attending the University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule). The classes in Germany are different than at SCSU, because you only have one test and one presentation the whole semester so towards the end of the semester you will end up cramming all the information from the whole semester into one test. Classes are only an average of two hours, and meet only one time a week. The classes are all lecture based, and require no books. As well as all of the classes are in English alongside other German students and International students from all over the world.

While in Ingolstadt you reside in a Villa that can hold about 20 people. There is a TV room, library room, kitchen with four refrigerators and two stoves and ovens, a basement with a guest room, a ping pong table, and a shower and two toilets. There is also a computer room with three computers located on the guys floor, but can be used by anyone. On the guys floor there is also two balconies with decks, and a BBQ grill. There are three bedrooms, and a storage room. The shower room has three showers, and three sinks, as well as a bathroom next door with three toilets. On the girls floor there is four bedrooms, and there is a similar bathroom and shower layout as the guy’s floor. The villa shares a backyard and gate with a kindergarten, so there is children coming and going as well as a backyard with slides and swings for everyone’s use.

While in Germany you are centrally located in Europe and it is a very short trip to many destinations. I was able to go to Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, London, Dublin, Milan, Florence, Venice, Milan, and many others all in my short time in Germany. It is very easy to travel, and hop on any train out of Ingolstadt and explore many places very easily. It is very cheap to find flights using a few online services, and to use train travel a Eurail Pass made my costs very low.

Throughout my entire five months in Germany, I was able to make memories I would not have been able to make unless I went on this study abroad. I was able to make friends, experience another culture, and I strongly encourage everyone to go on to Ingolstadt, Germany. I think that the whole abroad process is something you will never regret.

St. Cloud State University

Center for International Studies - Invest in global education.

Charlie

Study Abroad (contact information)

	A-Z Index \| News \| Library \| Technology \| Support St. Cloud State \| St. Cloud State University Home Admissions Academics Student Life About SCSU Athletics Alumni & Friends Center for International Studies - Invest in global education. The Center for International Studies Future Students Current Students and Visiting Scholars Study Abroad Opportunities Welcome Programs Semester Programs Short-Term Programs Non-St. Cloud State Programs Application Process Costs, Aid and Scholarships Orientation & Planning Information Policies Parents & Families Former Study Abroad Students Faculty Resources Questions & Answers Charlie Germany I can truly say the greatest decision of my life was to go on a Study Abroad trip. At first when I met the other three students I was about to live with the next five months I was a bit nervous. However in the end the four of us together made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. I was a part of the Spring 2009 trip to Ingolstadt, Germany. At first arriving in Germany I was a bit overwhelmed with the language, and not being able to understand everything that was going around me. But the four of us grouped together and got ourselves to our ride and eventually to our new home. While sitting in our van, looking out at the beautiful landscape of Bavaria, we knew we had finally made it. Ingolstadt is located around 40 minutes north of Munich. It is in the heart of Bavaria, in southern Germany. The world headquarters of Audi is located in Ingolstadt, and most of the town’s 130,000 resident’s work at Audi. The Danube River flows through right outside the city center, and the town is divided into two parts, the new town, and the old town. The town is a perfect size and you are within walking distance of everything. The bus in town is also very well run, and very easy to get used to. There are two train stations that have trains to Munich, and Nuremburg two times an hour as well as too many other places. Whenever we were bored we would jump on the train and go to Munich and walk around the town. We would go to Munich for movies in English, and just to sight see. One fun thing we also go to do was go to a Bayern Munich Soccer game at their beautiful Allianz Arena that fits 70,000 screaming people. We went to this game with our assigned buddies at the university. It was one of the best experiences on the entire trip. In Ingolstadt everyone speaks English; they just are afraid too. It is very easy to get used to ordering in German at restaurants, but if you don’t quite understand they are glad to help you out in English. They really do appreciate you trying to speak German, but do understand you are not from there so they will gladly help you out! While in Ingolstadt, you will be attending the University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule). The classes in Germany are different than at SCSU, because you only have one test and one presentation the whole semester so towards the end of the semester you will end up cramming all the information from the whole semester into one test. Classes are only an average of two hours, and meet only one time a week. The classes are all lecture based, and require no books. As well as all of the classes are in English alongside other German students and International students from all over the world. While in Ingolstadt you reside in a Villa that can hold about 20 people. There is a TV room, library room, kitchen with four refrigerators and two stoves and ovens, a basement with a guest room, a ping pong table, and a shower and two toilets. There is also a computer room with three computers located on the guys floor, but can be used by anyone. On the guys floor there is also two balconies with decks, and a BBQ grill. There are three bedrooms, and a storage room. The shower room has three showers, and three sinks, as well as a bathroom next door with three toilets. On the girls floor there is four bedrooms, and there is a similar bathroom and shower layout as the guy’s floor. The villa shares a backyard and gate with a kindergarten, so there is children coming and going as well as a backyard with slides and swings for everyone’s use. While in Germany you are centrally located in Europe and it is a very short trip to many destinations. I was able to go to Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, London, Dublin, Milan, Florence, Venice, Milan, and many others all in my short time in Germany. It is very easy to travel, and hop on any train out of Ingolstadt and explore many places very easily. It is very cheap to find flights using a few online services, and to use train travel a Eurail Pass made my costs very low. Throughout my entire five months in Germany, I was able to make memories I would not have been able to make unless I went on this study abroad. I was able to make friends, experience another culture, and I strongly encourage everyone to go on to Ingolstadt, Germany. I think that the whole abroad process is something you will never regret. Study Abroad (contact information) 720 4th Avenue South - St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498 Page Revised: 10/09/2009 Phone: (320) 308-4287 © 2009 St. Cloud State University Site Map \| Map & Directions \| Contact SCSU \| Accreditations St. Cloud State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer. St. Cloud State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.