Each year, students from Germany’s AKAD University travel thousands of miles to California’s capital city for a transformative academic and cultural experience at Sacramento State. Through a special partnership between the two universities, AKAD students spend three weeks immersed in campus life at Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE), a visit that blends classroom learning, cultural exploration, and global connection.

A Partnership Focused on Global Learning

The AKAD–Sac State Exchange Program offers students from AKAD, a leading German distance-learning university, the opportunity to step out from behind their screens and into a vibrant, diverse American campus community.

During the visit, participants attend seminars such as International Intercultural Competence and Global Leadership and International Project Management, taught by Sacramento State faculty. The courses encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and hands-on learning — skills that resonate far beyond the classroom.

“For 75 years, we’ve stood at the intersection of education and change — and that work has never been more important,” says Dr. Jenni Murphy, Dean of CCE. “CCE has long served as Sac State’s incubator for innovation, equity, and access. We are committed to building systems and partnerships that remove barriers and open doors.”

Students who complete the program earn a certificate jointly issued by AKAD University and Sacramento State, marking their achievement and international experience. The three-week exchange concludes with a graduation ceremony at CCE, celebrating the connections, discoveries, and growth students achieve during their stay.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

For many participants, the experience offers more than academic insight; it’s a deeply personal journey of learning and self-discovery.

“I soaked up so much… knowledge and experience,” shared Diana Iris Seubert, a returning adult learner from AKAD. “It was such a diverse university. Working hands-on and interacting with people was incredibly valuable.”

Diana, who returned to higher education later in life, found the program both inspiring and affirming. “I came back with a lot more experience than others. I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll do it for myself.’ But now I have ideas how to really put it to work… I have goals now. I have more visions than I had before.”

For her, the exchange reaffirmed the power of lifelong learning, a value at the heart of both AKAD and Sacramento State’s missions. “It’s not only studying,” she said, “it’s also working on these technical skills. It’s a give and take.”

A Safe and Inclusive Space for Growth

For Steven Strehl, the program was equally transformative. “Remote studying is not really what I like,” he explained. “I learn better when I interact with people, when I can utter my ideas, and be in co-creative processes where everyone learns — not only the content, but how we come together.”

Steven, who identifies as a gay man, admitted he was initially unsure about how he would feel traveling abroad. “I didn’t know if I would feel safe to come here,” he said. “But I knew Sacramento State is a community-serving university. I felt safe to try things outside my comfort zone.”

The experience helped him deepen his appreciation for diversity and inclusion while reaffirming his commitment to lifelong learning. “For me, lifelong learning means explicitly looking for programs that give me a certain frame — international and cultural — where I can learn things young people learn nowadays or be inspired by people in my age group. It’s even better than holidays sometimes.”

Experiencing American Campus Life

For Linda Bind, one of the highlights was the cultural immersion that came with daily campus life. “Meeting new people and studying together… especially during the startup challenge when we got in contact with other students,” she recalled.

She was particularly struck by the energy of American university culture. “The football game — everyone from the university was there. That’s something we don’t really have in Germany.”

Linda’s takeaway was clear: “It’s a great opportunity to figure out if you are able to live in another country or culture.”

Discovering a New Perspective

Dominik Holger Wittemann approached the program with curiosity and a sense of adventure. “Living my experience in your country and seeing things I hadn’t expected before,” he said. “Americans were all very friendly and open-minded.”

He laughed about one of the more unexpected cultural differences: “We were shocked by how cold it is indoors — because we don’t have AC in Germany! I’ve been wearing the same two pairs of long trousers for almost a month!”

Despite the surprises, Dominik said the experience was profoundly enriching. “It’s always a good opportunity to go abroad, to see something different. Especially when it comes to intercultural competence — where can you learn it better than abroad?”

A Shared Commitment to Global Education

The partnership between AKAD University and Sacramento State exemplifies how higher education can transcend borders, bringing people together through shared learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth.

Through programs like this, Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education continues to advance its mission of empowering learners worldwide, helping students like Diana, Steven, Linda, and Dominik gain not just knowledge, but perspective, purpose, and lifelong connections.