Claudette Glenn
Carson Brenneman (Classical School, 2022) spent this spring and summer studying abroad at Otto-Friedrich University in Bamberg, a historic town in Bavaria’s Upper Franconia region of Germany. In addition to his academic studies, he became involved with a student ministry group called SMD-Bamberg, which helped him build meaningful connections with other students and engage more deeply with local life. His experience extended far beyond the classroom, as he immersed himself in the region’s vibrant culture by attending local festivals and adapting to daily rhythms that shaped his understanding of German society.
Carson explored numerous cities across both Germany and Austria. His travels included stops in Bamberg, Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich, Heidelberg, Würzburg, Erlangen, Coburg, Bayreuth, Regensburg, Salzburg, and Vienna. One particularly special moment for Carson was attending Easter service at the Berlin Cathedral, a personal milestone he had hoped to reach since his first visit to the cathedral during a freshman-year spring break trip.
Reflecting on his time abroad, Carson shared: “Spending five months in Germany gave me the opportunity to learn not only about German culture, but also America in contrast and the common values and history which bind us together in Western civilization.”