ADA, Okla. – East Central University student Ava Bolin makes history as the first ECU student in a decade to represent the university’s Global Education department at the University of Applied Sciences in Biberach, Germany.

A long-time partner-university the Biberach University of Applied Sciences has historically hosted ECU students on their campus, allowing them to complete semesters in a new, unique environment, while also sending students to study at ECU.

Following the pandemic, exchange between the universities temporarily ended. When the opportunity arose to continue the long-standing partnership, Bolin did not hesitate.

“I’ll be taking business courses while I’m there,” said Bolin, when asked if she expects language to be a barrier in her studies. “Their business program requires their students to have a semester at an English-speaking institution and I’m going the semester before they study abroad, so all of their classes will be taught in English. And they’ll all be classes that will progress my major.”

Bolin, a junior at ECU majoring in both Accounting and Marketing, left March 3 to begin her travels. She arrived in Germany for a week-long orientation for international students and began her classes March 16. She will remain at Biberach University of Applied Sciences until the conclusion of their semester in early August.

An avid traveler with her family, Bolin is excited for this new opportunity, “I’m a little nervous, I think anyone would be, but I’m channeling that into excitement.”

-ECU-