Since you’ve already gotten a few glimpses into our time here in the U.S. in recent posts, today I’d like to take a look back at the past six weeks—and reflect on what this experience has really meant to me.
Hey I’m Lisa, i’m 22 and I’m currently part of this exchange program at Kennesaw State University together with other apprentices from Germany. Now that our time here is coming to an end, it feels like the perfect moment to look back on everything we’ve experienced.
What stood out to me most, however, was the strong cooperation among the employees. Teams work closely together across different departments and even across countries, which requires clear communication and a high level of organization. You could really see how important teamwork is to keep everything running smoothly. This gave me a completely new perspective on the industry and showed how essential collaboration is in global operations.
But this journey was about much more than just company visits. Student life at Kennesaw State University also gave us a lot of insights. Whether it was attending classes, seeing how interactive some courses are, or just experiencing campus life, I noticed how different learning can be here.
Of course, our daily life outside of class played a huge role too. Living at the Sonesta felt like having a home for these six weeks.
From shared cooking evenings to sitting together at the fire pit, these moments created a strong sense of community. Especially the time spent with our peer buddies—whether it was spontaneous activities, game nights, or just hanging out—made this experience really special.
Another thing that stood out to me is how much happens spontaneously here. Plans often come up last minute—going out to eat, joining events, or trying something completely new. These unplanned moments often turned out to be the most memorable ones.
We also got to see different approaches to innovation and growth, for example at the Hatchbridge Incubator and the KSU Field Station. It was interesting to see how ideas are developed into real businesses, while at the same time completely different concepts—like sustainable agriculture—are being explored. Even though these places are very different, they both showed how important creativity, structure, and adaptability are.
Looking back, I realize how much I’ve grown during these six weeks. At the beginning, everything felt new and unfamiliar. But over time, I became more open, more confident, and more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. Whether it was starting conversations, adapting to a new environment, or simply trying new things—this experience challenged me in the best way possible.
My biggest takeaway: it’s often the small moments that matter most. The conversations, the shared experiences, the unexpected situations—these are the things that stay with you.
Thanks for Reading, and Good luck to all Future Participants!!
