University of Arizona Crowdfunding

We are in the final stretch! So far, you’ve generous donations have gotten us 35% to our goal. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us get there and to anyone thinking of donating in these last few days to help us reach our goal.

Our campaign strives to give students the best head start to their Study Abroad journeys, with the hope that we can impact as many students as possible. The positive impact the Arizona in Leipzig program has on its participants is so immense, its ripples can be seen and felt by those around them. We will leave you with some words from Favour, a Teaching Assistant for last year’s Arizona in Leipzig program, who saw first-hand what a difference the program can make in our students’ lives:

I spent years learning about Germany in textbooks and movies all through my bachelor's and master's degree years. But in the summer of 2025, the Leipzig Study Abroad program finally allowed me to experience Germany and its culture in person, and it was nothing short of amazing! While I joined the program as a Teaching Assistant, the experience was far more rewarding beyond my professional duties. Working with the enthusiastic students in an environment that was not the typical UA classroom brought the teaching experience to life. Learning something and then going out to practice it with locals was a gamechanger for the students. The real learning happened in the small moments, whether it was navigating the local trams/trains, visiting a cat café, eating ice cream in a park on a hot sunny day, or attending an open-air concert together. Such learning moments are to be forever cherished. I watched students go from being shy to answer questions in class to confidently ordering desserts in German in a historic restaurant in the heart of Leipzig. These daily interactions helped my students integrate German into their daily lives, and they improved their fluency in ways a book never could. The excursions integrated into this program didn't just show us sights; they provided a raw, authentic look into aspects of German culture we'd never seen before, and we got to participate too. 

The bonds I formed with my students and some locals also continued after our return. This program is a vital reminder that the best way to understand the world is to step into it. This is an experience every major or minor student should have at least once, in the course of their studies. As a TA, one of my top resolutions for each new school year is to encourage my students to sign up to study abroad. To any student out there contemplating studying abroad in Leipzig, I say "do it!"

-Favour Mofoluwawo

We have reached 35% of our goal! Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped us get there. We have extended the campaign once again to 5/31/26 to try to help as many students in our Arizona in Leipzig program as possible. We appreciate everyone who has donated and who is considering donating to our campaign!

In celebration of our extension, we want to share a testimonial from 2024 Arizona in Leipzig participant Ben, who was able to make a lasting connection on his Study Abroad journey:

Studying abroad in Leipzig was a great opportunity to experience another culture and immerse myself in another language. I've traveled abroad many times before, but never truly immersed myself in a foreign culture like I did in Germany. This program has given me a unique outlook on a culture different from mine, and I've continued to learn about German culture through the connection I've made with my German peer at Leipzig University. I still remain in contact with my German peer, and continue to mutually benefit from the experiences we've shared and culture we've experienced

-Ben Lee

We have extended our crowdfunding campaign! It will remain open for two more weeks (until 5/15) in the hopes of raising funds for our Arizona in Leipzig 2026 students.

Our program extends beyond one month of our student’s lives. It’s a jumping off point for their future endeavors! 2025 TA Antonia spent time getting to know the students and hearing about their goals:

As a TA in the Arizona Summer Study in Leipzig program, my perspective differed from that of the students. Every day, I witnessed their progress not only in language skills and cultural understanding, but also in personal growth that extended far beyond the classroom. The program’s intensity pushed the students out of their comfort zones as they were encouraged to communicate in German almost constantly. After a few days of settling in, they were able to navigate daily life on their own and even travel to other cities and countries. 

For many students, the program just marked the beginning of their journey with the language. I was glad to hear that many expressed the wish to return to Germany for further study or work in the future, inspired by their time in the program. 

-Antonia Kampe

It’s the final week of our crowdfunding campaign! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! You are helping students experience places they never thought they’d go before. 2024 Arizona in Leipzig participant Maddie took advantage of her long stay in Leipzig to journey outside of the city and visit the Elbe Sandstone Mountains near Dresden. Studying abroad really does bring the classroom everywhere you go!

My trip to Leipzig last summer was unforgettable. It was the perfect way to experience what life in Germany would look like. Leipzig is so unique that I am glad I got to stay there for as long as I did. I was able to enhance my German skills while still having fun with all the new people I met.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking to study abroad.

-Maddie McCaskill

Image: Hiking trail near Sächsische Schweiz Mountain, taken by Maddie during her Leipzig trip

Our crowdfunding campaign has entered our second week! Any amount you can donate, no matter how big or how small, can help our students soar because studying abroad can help deepen so much more than language skills. It’s a chance to step outside your comfort zone and explore the world! Ian, a 2024 Arizona in Leipzig participant, explains it best:

During my Sophomore summer at the University of Arizona, I had the opportunity to explore Leipzig (and other awesome German cities) through the Department of German Studies. As a dual-degree student with majors in Business Analytics and German Studies and a minor in East Asian Studies, I understand how valuable it is to gain new perspectives and explore what the world has to offer. Living in Germany wasn't just about sharpening my language skills, though my German did improve dramatically. It was about becoming a more confident, curious, and culturally aware human being. I navigated its streets, shared meals with locals, and built genuine friendships with people from both the University and the communities we immersed ourselves in. I am a firm believer that every person should attempt to travel abroad at some point in their life, as it offers a real look into how other cultures experience life. We are all a part of this beautiful, diverse world; why not seek out its treasures?

-Ian Chabin

We are live! This week begins our crowdfunding campaign for this year’s Arizona in Leipzig program. Thank you to our first donors and to those of you who are considering donating to help our new crop of students who are embarking on their study abroad journeys!

Studying abroad can expand a classroom beyond the typical four walls. Students in our program take what they learn at their desks and engage with language and culture through immersion and exploration in the heart of Saxony’s most populous city, Leipzig! Just ask Laurel Burkholder, a participant from last year’s Arizona in Leipzig program:

The month I spent in Leipzig has been the most impactful aspect of my college experience so far. The program's structure supported both my ability to engage with my personal interests and to think outside the box, allowing me to explore topics I hadn’t had the chance to learn about beforehand. Although time in the classroom was incredibly beneficial, the opportunity to learn through exploration and immersion at museums, historical sites, and with native German speakers made everything from history to conversational language skills exciting to engage with. This experience was truly comprehensive, and I walked away with improved language skills in both casual and academic settings, a better understanding of history and its influence on modern culture, and memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.

- Laurel Burkholder