Grace Rittenour in Hamburg, Germany during Freshman Global Lab

Rising sophomore Grace Rittenour, a finance major, studied abroad in Hamburg, Germany as part of the Fisher College of Business Freshman Global Lab during the spring of 2023. Freshman Global Lab gives students the opportunity to earn 1.5 credits over a two-week session featuring cultural immersion and visits with leaders and experts in manufacturing and logistics.  

It was important for me to travel abroad because I had never been out of the country and I wanted to expose myself to new cultures and experiences. I realized I had lost my passport three days before I was planning to leave for this trip! I was luckily able to contact our district representative and secure an emergency passport the same day I had my flight scheduled. My flight to Germany was an hour late and this forced me to have to navigate the airport and customs in Amsterdam in 30 minutes on my first trip out of the country. Despite the initial stress, this experience was so rewarding and has taught me how capable I am. 

I was able to learn about logistics more hands on through our guided boat tour around Hamburg, through in-depth company visits such as Mercedes Benz and Airbus, as well as being taught by German professors who specialize in logistics. My mother went to Germany when she was my age 30 years ago, so I was able to see Germany through a similar lens as her. I also met up with a foreign exchange student friend from my high school who shares the same birthday as me. She guided me through Berlin to show me where she grew up and her favorite places to eat. 

It is important to be a global citizen so you can educate yourself on the diverse world and cultures around you! I was exposed to a different way of life and was even taught some of the political issues Germany faces today.