San Diego Review - A semester to remember

Insights into student life at San Diego State University

In the winter semester of 2025, from August 15 to December 18, I completed a semester abroad at San Diego State University (SDSU). This period was an exceptionally meaningful and formative experience for me, both academically and personally. In this final report, I would like to share my impressions and experiences from my semester abroad. I will discuss the university campus, the courses I took, my accommodation, life in San Diego, the trips I took during this time, and the overall costs. Finally, I will provide a personal conclusion reflecting on and summarizing my experiences.

1. University Campus The SDSU campus spans numerous buildings and initially felt overwhelming due to its size. It is a large, complex campus with different faculties, each exuding its own unique charm. Particularly striking were the palm trees, sunny climate, and warm temperatures, which created a special atmosphere, especially in the summer months. Sunsets on campus and the wide variety of on-site dining options added further to this positive overall impression.In addition, the campus offered numerous sports facilities and recreational options. In addition to several sports fields, students had access to a well-equipped gym and a basketball hall in close proximity. Overall, campus life here was very different from what is typical at many German universities. While faculties in Germany are often spread across different locations, nearly all departments at SDSU were located within one large campus complex. During lunchtime, the large number of students became especially noticeable as crowds moved across the campus. This created a strong sense of community and the classic American college atmosphere. This feeling was further enhanced by the Southern California surfer and San Diego vibe, which significantly shaped campus life.

2.Courses During my semester abroad, I took a total of four courses: two four-unit courses, one three-unit course, and one one-unit course. The first course was Consumer Buyer Behavior. This was one of my favorite courses because it required a high level of engagement and included continuous assignments as part of the assessment. The academic level was moderate but very practical. The instructor was particularly friendly and supportive, especially during exams. Beyond the theoretical content, the course provided many insights that were applicable to everyday life, making it highly recommendable. Another course I took was Global Marketing Strategy. While the instructor was generally friendly and the lecture content was interesting and informative, I would not recommend this course. The exams were extremely challenging and hardly aligned with the lecture content, instead relying almost entirely on a very dry and difficult-to-understand textbook. This made exam preparation significantly more difficult. The third course, Human Resource Management, is also recommendable. The only downside was that it was an evening course, starting relatively late. However, the instructor presented the material clearly and in a structured manner. Additionally, detailed study guides were provided, making exam preparation manageable. The final course was Doing Business International, a one-unit course with a comparatively low workload. This course was particularly suitable for meeting the required minimum number of units. Content-wise, I gained a lot of valuable knowledge for my future career. Guest lectures from CEOs were held regularly, and intercultural differences in international business were explored in depth. The instructor was highly dedicated and even invited the entire class to her home for a shared meal at the end of the semester. Overall, I noticed that the instructors maintained a much more personal and close relationship with students, making learning very enjoyable.

3.Life in San Diego Life in San Diego was extremely enjoyable. From August to December, the weather was mostly sunny, although sunshine was somewhat reduced in the winter months. In my opinion, San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities in California, especially because of the open and friendly people and the friendships I was able to build there. The city offers a wide range of recreational opportunities and is large enough to provide variety without feeling overwhelming. Campus life offered a good mix of academic responsibilities and leisure or social activities. As an international student, I found it relatively easy to make contact with American students. Although the cost of living in San Diego is very high, the positive aspects far outweigh the negatives. The city is characterized by its diversity—from beaches to downtown areas and neighborhoods such as North Park, South Park, Encinitas, and La Jolla. Overall, San Diego is an open, lively, and diverse city.

4. Accommodation During my semester abroad, I lived in the Stateside Apartments, which I booked directly through the apartment complex’s website rather than through the university. This approach was somewhat more complicated organizationally, but ultimately advantageous as the costs were lower than booking through the university. The apartment complex was in close proximity to the university, allowing me to reach my courses within about 10–15 minutes on foot. The apartment was well equipped, and overall, I was very satisfied with the living situation. I shared a room with four other roommates. Since I was often out, traveling, or spending time outside the apartment, sharing the room was not a problem. The living arrangement was very harmonious and quiet, especially in the evenings, which made for a restful stay. The only minor drawback was that the beds were a bit small. Otherwise, the accommodation fully met my expectations.

5. Travel During my semester abroad, I took numerous trips. Within California, I visited Los Angeles multiple times and explored San Diego extensively. I also visited Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and San Francisco. Additional trips took me to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and finally Hawaii. By carefully choosing my courses, I had sufficient time to travel, which I took full advantage of. The trip to Hawaii, in particular, left a lasting impression and is one of the best trips I have ever taken.

In conclusion, the semester abroad was worthwhile in every respect. The university, the people, and my personal development during this period were invaluable. A semester abroad is a unique opportunity that should definitely be taken. For me, San Diego offered the perfect mix of beach, city life, academic learning, and personal growth. For these reasons, I can highly recommend a semester abroad at SDSU.