Through studying BA American Studies in Frankfurt, I discovered the importance of awareness and understanding of my place in the world, and the immense impact I have on my surroundings, as they have on me. More essentially, the American Studies MA program opened my eyes to the intersectionality and interdisciplinarity of various fields of study (aesthetics, sociology, philosophy, history, and anthropology), which branch within and beyond the realm of American Studies. What I love most about the American Studies program is how theoretical approaches in class provoke creative thinking and active engagement, not only with the topics at hand, but with myself, gaining new and more thorough perspectives that inspire and motivate me throughout my life.
Frankfurt is often portrayed as an active and vibrant city, a place that is incredibly student-friendly and atmospheric. Growing up and studying in Frankfurt, I appreciated most the beautiful architecture combined with its green parks, setting the tone for each of the districts, varying from gothic cathedrals and old monumental buildings to the growing skyline near the Main river. At first, Frankfurt seems metropolitan with its high skyscrapers, but due to the different districts, the big city gains its uniquely cozy charm. Adding to this charm is the great range of cafés near the campus, as well as scattered around the whole city, where you can always identify at least one Goethe University student and multiple vegan options, which is a huge plus point.
As an international member here, every idea I share, every article I write, and every comment I make are treated with sincerity and respect; every challenge I encounter receives patient and professional guidance. Truth be told, the spirit of IEAS is one of equality and dialogue—it is neither dogmatic nor reliant on any single authority. What puts weight behind the American Studies department of Goethe Uni isn’t any hollow slogan or catchphrase, but the people who are doing the hard work toward it. They are rigorous and pragmatic, focusing on and endeavoring to comprehend the fragility, fears, and hopes of the contemporary mind. I believe it is a good “civilization” with honored independence, because it has good “citizens”. Its “citizens” live up to their words; they are true practitioners and researchers of the beliefs they hold. Everyone here is working together to foster a more equal, open, and inclusive mindset.
Studying American Studies at Goethe University has greatly broadened my horizon. Before beginning the course, I was unsure of what to expect, but throughout my studies I have gained insight into American history, society, traditions, and literature. Along the way, I discovered a genuine passion for the subject within myself.
What surprised me most was my ability to find something engaging even in topics I initially assumed would not interest me. Through exploring these different aspects of American culture and history, I feel that I have developed a deeper understanding of both the world and the people in it. At the same time, my studies have helped me define my own interests more clearly and given me the opportunity to integrate those passions into my academic work.
I consider the most useful skillset I have earned from the American Studies program to be the ability to form my own opinion based on well-performed research. To be able to do that and communicate my findings in a way that is clear, concise and appropriately framed for my target audience, are essential in every area of work as well as your personal life.
The American Studies program has showed me time and time again that there is always something more to discover and that you never know enough when it comes to American Studies.
While this may sound daunting, the sheer variety of the program’s seminars offers something for everyone and provided me with the joy of ongoing exploration and excitement whenever I had learned something new.
The biggest thing I have gained from studying American studies, knowledge aside, are friends and acquaintances from all over the globe. Since the courses are all in English, it makes for the most diverse group of students. Whether a person is born and raised in Germany, an immigrant living here, or a student coming here specifically to study, it allows for so many cultures, personalities and mentalities to come together to share opinions and knowledge. With that experience, I have discovered a plethora of different points of view on the same issue, the intricacies of different environments and experiences, all contributing to unique perspectives on the same topic with people sharing them in the universal language of community, all exploring culture, literature and politics and enriching each other in the process.
In addition to its campus located at the edge of a large park the heart of Frankfurt, Goethe University hosts internationally renowned academics and authors at conferences and lectures in this field, as it has one of the largest American studies department in Germany. This is a significant additional factor contributing to the city’s positive aspects.
During a seminar on the poetry of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, our professor once asked us to create a poem in the style of one of these two poets. Each of us read our poems aloud in class and we evaluated them together, and this was an enjoyable activity that differed from the usual literary
This program is highly conducive to students blending their own interests with academic pursuits. Personally, my intense interest in analog photography led me to explore 20th-century American photographic art throughout my education and to critique it through various theoretical frameworks. My doctoral thesis, which I am currently working on at Goethe University within the same department, will also address photographic art.
Moving to a new place always requires a certain adaptation process, and moving to a different country without yet speaking the language is a situation that requires extra courage. However, the social and artistic opportunities offered by Frankfurt have enabled me to overcome the difficulties of the adaptation process quicker. In addition, the fact that the American Studies department has a significant number of international students made networking easier for me.
American Studies in Frankfurt has been a singular, unique experience in my life. Not only have I gained a platform to flourish and grow in a manner that is suitable for me, I have also had the great honor of doing so under the guidance of some of the most brilliant minds I have ever come across. This is only aided and improved by the faculty, which has always shown itself to be kind and welcoming, allowing me to not only partake in their niches and interests, but also develop my own.
The best thing about studying in Frankfurt is clearly the variety. Not only did I get the chance to live and study on a rich, vibrant campus, giving me the opportunity to practically do whatever I could imagine with my free time, but the city, I believe, is also just the right size to offer all the trappings of a big, urban, super-active city without the overwhelming size that comes with cities like this. In Frankfurt I have found something for every mood, incredibly niche places for almost anything new I want to try, but also places that can offer the comfort and peace of home even when I’m far away from it.
Studying at Goethe University, and especially in the American Studies program, has turned out to be so much more than just about academics to me. It has given me the chance to build my own community, find people that inspire me and hold them close to my heart. Be it by participation in the seminars, in the department theatre, or as an editor on the local journal, there has always been something for everyone and there are always people looking for new, interesting friends.
I am glad I chose American Studies in Frankfurt because the program combines my interests in literature, culture, and history in a way that feels both rigorous and personal. From the beginning, I felt taken seriously as a student and welcomed into a small, supportive academic community. The close contact with professors makes studying here feel engaging rather than anonymous.
My favorite thing about the American Studies program is how personal it feels. Because it is a small department, you quickly get to know your fellow students and professors, which creates a strong sense of trust and belonging. It genuinely feels like a community rather than just a degree program, supported by shared traditions and everyday academic exchange.
Studying American Studies has helped me grow both academically and personally. I learned how to approach literature and culture more thoughtfully and to connect texts with broader historical and social contexts. Just as importantly, the encouragement and support from professors gave me confidence in my own ideas and helped me find my academic voice.
What makes the American Studies department special is the balance between academic excellence and genuine care. Professors are experts in their fields but always approachable and willing to support students individually. The constantly changing course offerings, shaped by current research, keep the program dynamic and ensure that each semester feels intellectually fresh and motivating.
As an international student, the American Studies department quickly became a place where I felt at home. The welcoming atmosphere, close relationships, and small traditions, like the annual pizza party for M.A. students, make a real difference. Especially when you are far from home, it is comforting to study in a department that truly feels like a community.