Tag Archives: Berlin

Niyana Graves

Shortly after getting back from Berlin, I felt like I had so much free time and needed to do something. So with little to no training (which I do not recommend) I hiked Half Dome!

NAME: Niyana Graves

MAJOR: Communication Studies

PROGRAM: Faculty-Led Program (FLP) – Berlin – A Cultural Extravaganza – Summer 2025

EMAIL: niy.graves@sjsu.edu

BIO:

My Name is Niy Graves, and I am a fourth-year Communication Studies major who studied abroad this past summer semester. My study abroad summer semester was a little more unique than the other study abroad programs that were offered. It was a ten-week semester, with my cohort and I being in Berlin for three of those weeks, then completing our work online for the remaining seven weeks. Studying abroad has always been something that was at the top of my priority list when it came to things that I wanted to do while in university. I have always wanted to immerse myself in another culture while also being in a learning environment. Originally, I had always wanted to do the program by the name of Semester at Sea (SAS), but SAS didn’t align with my schedule correctly. I learned about the Comm FLP when I was self-touring the campus right before the start of my first semester, and actually saw the poster from last summer (Summer ‘2 still posted up in one of the classrooms. When I saw the poster, I knew that this was the program that I wanted to do as it was perfect for me.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

When I was abroad, I wanted to use my communication skills learned so far to admire what was around me. This course focused on cultural memory, so I really wanted to focus on how communication is passed along differently between cultures and how different memories are perceived across cultures. For instance, how differently do Germans learn about the holocaust compared to Americans or Canadians?

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

I learned more about myself in those three weeks than I have in my other years of life. I learned independence in a different way than I was used to. I learned how to navigate difficult situations on my own while effectively solving problems when they arise. I learned not to be startled by things that may not be familiar to me.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? My academic experience abroad was nothing but positive. I loved using the city as my classroom, it was nice being able to walk around Berlin and learn something new every time I turned a corner. I now find myself admiring my surroundings much more when I am learning, whether that be in a classroom or outside. I used this course to satisfy my applied activity section of coursework.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? My communication skills have been sharpened immensely. I have learned how to communicate with others, even if there is a language and cultural barrier, while having an effective conversation and still getting my point across.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Landing in the Berlin airport served as such a big culture shock for me, I had never left the country before, so everything was so new. Once I was able to settle in and fully immerse myself in my surroundings, I realized how different things were, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Spending three weeks in Berlin and seeing how people live their everyday lives out there showed me that there is more out there than just America. Seeing the norms out there, like riding bikes everywhere and not really saying things like excuse when trying to pass someone, really popped my American bubble and opened my eyes towards how others live.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? As someone who has always wanted to get her master’s degree abroad, I feel like this program has given me the small push of confidence needed to commit to my decision. I feel more prepared and now know what to expect when it comes to studying/traveling outside of America.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?  

Don’t be scared and try new things, the program will go by so fast! With my program being three weeks, it genuinely felt like it zoomed by in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, I was on a very, very long flight back home. Have fun and explore new things, don’t be afraid to go off alone, but make sure to be safe, share your location with friend(s), and let them know where you’re going and when you plan to head back. Try new things, don’t do a bunch of things that you can do while in America, really immerse yourself in the culture, and make the best of your time. While I can’t promise you’ll enjoy it because everyone is different, it doesn’t hurt to try.

Melissa Martinez

Teufelsberg an Art Gallery at the top of a mountain!

NAME: Melissa Martinez

MAJOR: Communication Studies

PROGRAM: Faculty-Led Program (FLP) – Communication Studies: Berlin Germany FLP – FLP Summer 2025

EMAIL: melissa.s.martinez@sjsu.edu

BIO:

I chose to study abroad because I wanted to try something new. I knew that having the ability to study abroad was a privilege and I was fortunate enough to be able to go. I wanted to explore a different place in the world, which I would not have been able to if not for the study abroad program. Additionally, I study abroad because I was having trouble making connections on campus and was not enjoying my social life at college. I wanted to push myself and see if going on this trip would help me connect with others.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

My personal goal was to experience a new part of the world with a cohort of SJSU students while being away from my family and loved ones. An academic goal I had was to understand the memories that this location holds due to its history of World War II and the Cold War. My professional goal was to have an outcome that I could share with my peers about a time in my life where I learned and was immersed in a different culture. 

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?The greatest impact that the FLP has had on me would be my willingness to explore and become adventurous. Before this study abroad experience, it took me a long time to get out of my comfort zone, but after the great experience I had, all I want to do is keep exploring the world and learning. I want to learn things you can only learn if you go and experience a country firsthand. I had the greatest time during my FLP program, and I want to continue to have the same great experience more in my lifetime.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? As the course was an FLP course, the immense amount of learning that was done in a short time was unremarkable. Throughout my time in Berlin, I learned about many new and different perspectives on World War II. I had never really learned much about the Cold War, so learning about this part of history where it physically took place was impactful in ways words could not describe. The coursework that was due once we were back home just further supported our learning and the critical thinking on how these historical moments were impactful.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? I was able to practice the skill of engagement, as I was so focused throughout the course and have many educational takeaways. I have begun to have that same engagement in all my courses at SJSU. I have learned that the more you participate and are willing to learn, the more you will take away.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

While being immersed in that historical time period, it has changed my perspective that the great horrors that happened can very easily happen again today. Many similarities were pointed out to us by either historians or when reflecting on the learnings, and where we see similar discrimination happening today. After understanding that history can be repeated if not learned, I have realized that not having access to education is incredibly dangerous, and it allows for leaders to go unchallenged. 

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

My time studying abroad has prepared me for my future because it has opened my eyes to the world and understanding that we are just a small piece of the puzzle, and there is so much more going on in the outside world. This mindset will help me in my future because I will be more understanding and accepting of the world. 

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?  

because when you be college-aged in a different part of the country with other students their age, and all while becoming more educated.

Dominic Herrera

Browsing an outdoor graffiti exhibition on the outskirts of Berlin

NAME: Dominic Herrera

MAJOR: Communication Studies

PROGRAM: Faculty-Led Program (FLP) – Berlin Summer Study Abroad – Summer 2025

EMAIL: dominic.herrera@sjsu.edu

BIO: I’m a fourth-year communications student, and this past summer, I participated in the Communication Department’s FLP in Berlin. My main motivation was to visit outside the country for the first time as well as earn six units to my undergrad degree.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

The goals I had set out for myself before the program began were to succeed in the course academically, establish new friendships, and broaden my understanding of cultures new to me. In retrospect, I believe I’ve achieved each of these goals by dedicating myself wholeheartedly to every aspect of the program. 

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

Personally, I feel like my independence has greatly improved since the program. Being away from friends and family thousands of miles away was not nearly as daunting or worrying as it was made out to be. While some adjustment was needed, the growth of my personal independence and ability to adventure on my own has been refined greatly.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? Because the program was in line with my major, it applied to the Communications senior seminar and applied activity. Strategies I used to ensure my academic success were efforts to understand aspects of the culture I encountered in Berlin. Because many of the assignments were directly tied to the culture of our site, furthering my understanding helped me succeed. Returning to SJSU, I can use this method of learning in my academics by dedicating myself to the material of each course I take.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? A skill I refined from my experience with the Berlin FLP was group engagement. Because there were about two dozen of us in the program, we would often discuss with our professors or guides the material we covered during the day. By seeking to understand and listening more than talking, my group engagement has greatly improved. A new skill I learned from the program, which serves me in a more everyday manner, is public transport. Berlin’s intuitive public transport system was key to our navigation around the city. After using it extensively I feel more confident to use the public transport systems here in California and around my home of the Bay Area and San Jose.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world? My immersion shifted my perspectives on global culture by showing me how different cultures are impacted by the same events. Comparing Berlin’s experience with events such as World War II and the Cold War to America’s experience with those same time periods granted me a new perspective. As well as seeing the similarities between these cultures and others present in modern Berlin cultures, and seeing how often it’s the simple things like food and art that can be used to bridge gaps between entirely different worlds.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? Studying abroad has prepared me for my future by making me less afraid of taking chances. Personally, I took risks along the journey of the FLP that pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but every single one, I have no regrets about. By bringing that same energy to my future, I feel less afraid to try new things in my personal life as well as pursue opportunities professionally that I may not have before the program.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?  

Don’t be afraid to take risks and chances. You’ll most likely find something for the rest of your life. And always make sure to connect with fellow Spartans on that journey with you.