Lea Katzer
Correspondent
Have you ever thought about spending a semester abroad? Germany may not have made it onto your top three list, right? The combination of lederhosen, beer, techno and half-timbered houses is not exactly…enchanting. In the unlikely cases where Germany does find its way onto the list Frankfurt rarely does. For many, it’s either “the airport,” or “that city with bankers.”
But here’s the plot twist: Frankfurt is one of Europe’s most international, ambitious and quietly iconic cities and a surprisingly perfect place for an American semester abroad.
Welcome to Frankfurt am Main: One of Germany’s most global cities and its only real skyline. Main character energy included.
Frankfurt serves!
Frankfurt does not do subtle.
The city runs on efficiency, ambition and an international mindset. Skyscrapers rise next to historic buildings, the Main River cuts through the city centre and people from over 170 nations live and study here side by side. It’s fast-paced, global and refreshingly honest.
Locals lovingly call it ‘Mainhattan,’ and for once, the nickname actually delivers.
By day, Frankfurt is all business: public transport that works, coffee that fuels entire economies and a rhythm that keeps things moving. By night, the city softens into riverside hangouts, student bars, underground clubs, museums and late-night conversations in more languages than you can count.
Frankfurt: Accidentally iconic since forever
Frankfurt has history.
Founded in 794 and as the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the city has deep cultural roots, but it’s never been stuck in the past. International book fairs, global conferences, art exhibitions and political summits shape everyday life here. Tradition and modernity coexist.
Geographically, Frankfurt is a flex. Located in the heart of Europe, it offers fast connections to Paris, London, Berlin, Amsterdam and beyond. Weekend travel isn’t just a dream but a realistic plan. Studying abroad here means Europe becomes your extended campus.
Enter: Goethe University Frankfurt
Right in the middle of this all sits Goethe University Frankfurt.
With around 43,000 students across five campuses, Goethe University is a smidge larger than the College. Yet despite its size, it remains approachable and student-centred. Its academic range is broad, its research reputation strong, and its international orientation unmistakable.
The standout is the Westend Campus, often named one of the most beautiful campuses in Europe. Historic buildings, green spaces, and modern lecture halls create an atmosphere where getting lost feels more aesthetic than stressful.
For American students, Goethe University offers a wide range of English-taught courses. They have strong programs across the humanities, social sciences, economics and sciences, with a diverse, international student body and long-standing academic and cultural ties to the United States.
Student life without the bubble
Goethe University doesn’t exist in a campus bubble and that’s one of its biggest strengths.
Student life flows directly into city life. One moment you’re in class, the next you’re studying by the river, attending a public lecture or grabbing dinner with friends from three different continents. English is widely spoken, making the transition easier, while everyday life naturally introduces you to German culture.
It’s immersive without being overwhelming, and challenging without being isolating. This is the kind of semester that doesn’t just earn credits. It builds independence, confidence and perspective.
Why Frankfurt works for students
Frankfurt may not be the obvious study abroad choice and that’s exactly why it stands out.
It offers a real European city experience, not a tourist simulation. It has academic rigor with global relevance, easy access to Europe without losing structure or support and direct connection to transatlantic academic and cultural networks.
For students thinking about international careers, graduate school or simply seeing the world differently, Frankfurt delivers.
How to make it happen
Interested in turning Frankfurt from a question mark into your next address? Here’s where to start:
At the College
Students interested in studying abroad in Frankfurt can contact Ann Liberona in Green Hall 107 or via liberona@tcnj.edu. She supports you regarding study abroad opportunities and guides students through the application process, program selection, and preparation.
In Frankfurt
The Global Office of Goethe University Frankfurt is the main point of contact for exchange students. They provide information on: exchange programs and eligibility, English-taught courses, housing and arrival logistics and academic and cultural life in Frankfurt.
Together, these offices help make a semester abroad feel exciting, not intimidating.
Final Take: Main character abroad
Studying abroad is about more than changing locations. It’s about changing perspective.
Frankfurt offers a version of Germany that’s modern, international and deeply connected to the global world American students are preparing to enter. It’s ambitious without being flashy, serious without being boring and iconic without trying.
So, if you’re looking for a study abroad experience with real main character energy — Frankfurt is waiting.
