Fresh Bread, German Classes and Five Weeks in Berlin
Two St Catherine's College residents immersed themselves in everyday life in Germany, discovering that some of the biggest lessons happened beyond the classroom.
Fresh bread rolls from the local bakery each morning. A tram ride to class through the heart of Berlin. Evenings spent exploring neighbourhood markets, museums, concerts and cafés.
For five weeks over the winter break, St Catherine's College residents Catalina Cox and Gabrielle Christie traded Perth for Berlin, embracing everyday life in Germany through the Humboldt University Summer on Campus program.
Catalina and Gabrielle at Humboldt University in Berlin.
Selected as two of just four University of Western Australia students to take part, the pair completed an intensive German language unit while earning academic credit towards their degrees. But while improving their language skills was the goal, they returned with much more: greater confidence, lifelong memories and an even stronger friendship.
For Catalina, a second-year Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) student studying marine science, the opportunity was also deeply personal.
“My mother is German but I haven't had a chance to learn German before. I was excited to be in Germany and learn German in an immersive setting," she said.
"I learnt about HUWISU through the Global Learning Office and was inspired to apply because it provided an opportunity to travel to Germany, learn the language and gain credit back at UWA.”
Gabrielle Christie, who is studying medicine, had recently returned from a year-long exchange in Germany when Catalina mentioned the program.
Living Like Locals
Rather than seeing Berlin through the lens of a tourist, the pair quickly settled into the rhythm of everyday life.
Every morning began with fresh bread from a neighbourhood bakery before making their way to Humboldt University. Afternoons and weekends were spent discovering local markets, theatre performances, museums and the city's many neighbourhoods, finding favourite cafés and hidden spots along the way.
For Catalina, those simple routines became some of her favourite memories.
"Going to concerts, theatre shows, museums and just living an ordinary life in Berlin was the highlight," she said.
"Grabbing fresh bread rolls from the bakery every morning, commuting to the Humboldt campus in the middle of the city and exploring all the different neighbourhoods, not just as a tourist but as a local student."
Gabrielle found herself reconnecting with people she had met during her previous exchange while embracing the slower pace of everyday life.
"The easy flow of life in Berlin was a highlight for me," she said.
"I loved going to local markets and exploring local events. I also found rekindling some old connections I had made on exchange by seeing my old host families and friends really rewarding."
Finding a Little Piece of College in Berlin
Although they were thousands of kilometres from Perth, there were moments that felt surprisingly familiar.
Living together, travelling to class each day and discovering the city side by side reminded Catalina and Gabrielle of life at St Catherine's College.
"We both found living with each other and going to the university together every day had very similar vibes to those that we experience here at St Cat’s, which we both cherish," they said.
"Trying new foods and developing our own local spots while living in Berlin for five weeks felt like the beginning of semester moving into College."
Sharing the experience not only made settling into a new city easier, but also strengthened a friendship they brought home with them.
Looking Ahead
By the final week of the program, conversations that once seemed daunting had become second nature.
Instead of focusing on grammar exercises, students were confidently discussing topics such as artificial intelligence, university systems and life in their home countries, all in German.
"In our last lesson with our lovely teacher, it made us realise how confident and conversational the whole class had become," they said.
"We felt more confident getting by in everyday life and even wrote a card for our teacher in German."
For Catalina, the experience sparked a desire to explore even more of the world.
"The skills learnt through language learning and the resilience built through diving into the unknown have made me eager to experience more," she said.
"Going on a short-term exchange program has helped me expand my connections, build my confidence and left me with a more global mindset."
As an aspiring marine biologist, she hopes those experiences will one day help her collaborate with international research teams around the world.
For Gabrielle, the program has reinforced both her academic ambitions and her future career in medicine.
"I am really looking forward to my planned semester-long exchange to Dublin next year," she said.
"As I am studying medicine, I find it fundamental that I build a holistic view of the international community and strengthen my intercultural communication."
The experience has also come full circle at St Catherine's College.
Having returned to Perth with renewed confidence in her language skills, Gabrielle is now tutoring German at the College, helping other students develop the same confidence she found in Berlin.
Before returning home, the pair also made time for a weekend trip to Amsterdam, adding another memorable chapter to an already unforgettable experience.
Looking back, they have simple advice for anyone considering studying overseas.
"Just do it. It may seem daunting but it is definitely worthwhile."
"Going during summer or winter helps gain credit at UWA, so you can be one unit ahead or only do three units in future semesters, which is an added bonus."
For Catalina and Gabrielle, five weeks in Berlin became far more than a study program. It was an opportunity to embrace another culture, build lasting friendships and return to St Catherine's College with new confidence, fresh perspectives and memories that will stay with them long after the semester begins.
“I immediately jumped at the opportunity to go back again," Gabrielle said.
"I really wanted to keep up the German I had learnt while on exchange and experience German culture again in an everyday setting while being actively immersed in the daily life of someone from Berlin.”
Learn more about living at St Catherine's College or book a tour.