Germany, Austria, and Beyond: Sprott Students and Alumni Share Their Exchange Stories
For students interested in international education, cultural immersion, and professional growth, Germany and Austria offer some of the most rewarding opportunities available through Carleton University and the Sprott School of Business.
One of the greatest advantages of studying abroad in Europe is the ease of travel. Students holding a valid visa or residence permit for Germany or Austria can explore other countries within the European Union and the Schengen Area without the need to apply for separate visas for each destination. This unique opportunity allows exchange students to broaden their horizons far beyond a single host country, discovering diverse cultures, languages, and traditions across Europe during their semester or year abroad.
The impact of these exchanges is perhaps best illustrated by the experiences of Sprott alumni who have returned from Germany and Austria.
Mia Philips (BIB International Finance, 2025) regards her semester in München as one of the best experiences of her life. She describes the exchange as both challenging and rewarding, introducing her to new people, cultures, and perspectives while creating memories and friendships that continue to this day. Mia is grateful for the opportunities the exchange provided and credits the experience with strengthening the confidence and communication skills she now uses in her professional career. Those interested in following her European journey can connect with her on Instagram @mia.vphilips.
Isaac W. (BIB, 2025) highlights how his German language courses at Carleton provided an excellent foundation for his exchange experience. Studying in Vienna allowed him to actively apply and expand the language skills he had developed in the classroom. Following his return to Canada, Isaac continued to build on these experiences by working as a Teaching Assistant at Carleton University, putting his newly acquired language and intercultural skills into practice while supporting fellow students.
Thomas Escobar (BIB, 2026) emphasizes the confidence he gained through studying German before embarking on his international journey. During a twelve-month period abroad, Thomas traveled through all sixteen federal states of Germany and visited four additional European countries.
Along the way, he shared unforgettable experiences with fellow Carleton exchange students who became close friends. These friendships have continued well beyond graduation, demonstrating how international exchanges foster lasting personal and professional connections that span continents.
This fall, Maggie Verner, Mia Zach, and Clara Zelnic will begin their exchange studies in Germany, with classes starting in October. Some have already arrived in Berlin, where they will study at HWR Berlin (Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht) and Freie Universität Berlin. As they embark on this exciting adventure, the German Department at Carleton and the Sprott School of Business are proud of their accomplishments and excited to follow their journey. Frau Finger is especially proud and wishes them a wonderful start, many new experiences, and every success during their time abroad.
Maggie Verner credits her German language studies with helping her prepare for life abroad long before boarding her flight. From searching for housing to communicating with landlords, her language skills proved invaluable. “German class has helped me so much in messaging landlords and finding an apartment,” she explains. “It taught me terminology such as Warmmiete, Nebenkosten, and möbliert, and helped me understand that a two-room apartment does not always mean two bedrooms!” Maggie is excited to continue building her language skills while discovering German culture, meeting new people, and exploring new places and of course going to HWR (Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht.
For Mia Zach, the exchange represents the realization of a goal she has been working toward for two years. As she prepares to study at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, Mia reflects on the strong foundation she gained through four semesters of German language study and the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 assessment. She is eager to immerse herself in a new culture, meet new friends, experience life in Germany firsthand, and apply both her German language and intercultural communication skills abroad. Mia also looks forward to sharing this experience with fellow Carleton students who have become close friends throughout their studies.
Dear Maggie, Mia, and Clara , we are excited to watch your adventures unfold! Viel Spaß in Berlin, Deutschland und Europa, liebe Maggie, Mia und Clara!