The beginning of my semester abroad in San Diego

My time abroad at San Diego State University

I made the decision to spend a semester abroad between November and December 2024. It became clear to me fairly early on that I wanted to go to the United States. The main question at first was simply where exactly. After researching various universities,San Diego State University emerged as the best option. The decisive factors were above all its location in California, a state I had always wanted to visit, as well as San Diego’s reputation as an excellent and very livable student city.

In November and December 2024, I first came into contact with the organization World of Students. They visited my university and gave a presentation about study abroad programs. What influenced me the most was that a representative from San Diego State University personally gave a talk at our university. This insight into the university and the academic system ultimately became the decisive factor in why I chose San Diego State University specifically.

Through World of Students, contact with San Diego State University was established in March 2025, after which I applied directly. Just one day later, I received my acceptance. After that, I was sent all the necessary documents step by step, including the paperwork for the later visa application as well as information about housing options and the further process. Parallel to my exams, I had to deal intensively with the visa application in spring 2025. Around March, I received all relevant documents. At that time, I was also added to a group with other students who were also going to the same university through World of Students. Due to a temporary pause for student visas back then, it was especially important to schedule the visa appointment early, which luckily I did.

Another major part of the planning phase was the search for accommodation. I specifically looked for housing near campus. After some research, I decided on a shared room in the Stateside Apartments. This option turned out to be the best for me because the location was ideal. I was at most a ten-minute walk from the university, right next to campus. Financing the semester abroad also played a central role. I informed myself through videos and experience reports about the expected costs, talked with my parents and grandparents, and saved part of the money myself. In addition, I clarified my course selection early and coordinated it with my home university in order to have as many courses recognized as possible. I was fortunate that my university was very flexible in this regard. Overall, the organizational effort was high, but over time everything fell into place.

On August 13, I finally flew from Frankfurt am Main via San Francisco to San Diego. However, the flight did not go entirely smoothly. Due to technical problems during takeoff, the flight from Frankfurt was delayed by about four hours. As a result, I missed my connecting flight in San Francisco but was fortunately able to take a later flight to San Diego. I eventually arrived in San Diego at around two o’clock in the morning. Since my apartment was not ready for move-in until August 18/19, I was very lucky that I knew someone locally through my mother with whom I could stay for the first few days. Other international students handled this transition period differently: some booked Airbnbs, others stayed in hotels, and some were able to move into their apartments earlier after contacting their landlords.

The first days in San Diego were very intense. Despite the long journey and the time difference, my jet lag only lasted about two days. This was mainly because you experience so many new impressions during the first days that you hardly get a chance to rest—especially when it is your first time in the United States. At times it felt like sensory overload, in a positive way.On August 15, the official International Day took place. All international students gathered in a theater on campus and received a detailed introduction to the semester schedule, course registration, and organizational matters. Already on that day you got to know many new people, had first conversations, and made contacts.

The following weeks were shaped by orientation, course selection, and the first classes. Looking back, August and September felt very long, which I found very pleasant. There were first parties, campus tours, and initial insights into American student life. Course selection was sometimes turbulent, as international students are allowed to register last; nevertheless, I was able to get most of the courses I wanted. The teaching style is very different from the German university system. Classes usually take place in smaller groups of about 30 students and feel more like school classes. The supervision is much more individualized, and active participation is expected. In my courses there were weekly assignments, regular in-class tasks, as well as projects and presentations. Instead of a single final exam, many classes have so-called midterms—smaller exams during the semester that often make up a large part of the final grade. The material is covered continuously in class, which makes studying easier. Overall, I found this system very structured and practice-oriented.

The following weeks were shaped by orientation, course selection, and the first classes. Looking back, August and September felt very long, which I found very pleasant. There were first parties, campus tours, and initial insights into American student life. Course selection was sometimes turbulent, as international students are allowed to register last; nevertheless, I was able to get most of the courses I wanted. The teaching style is very different from the German university system. Classes usually take place in smaller groups of about 30 students and feel more like school classes. The supervision is much more individualized, and active participation is expected. In my courses there were weekly assignments, regular in-class tasks, as well as projects and presentations. Instead of a single final exam, many classes have so-called midterms—smaller exams during the semester that often make up a large part of the final grade. The material is covered continuously in class, which makes studying easier. Overall, I found this system very structured and practice-oriented.