Jack Kneissl-Williams Shares Study Abroad Experience at the Heinrich Heine University

Jack Kneissl-Williams, a PPE major at Virginia Tech, shares his experience studying abroad with the PPE Program at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) in Germany. The Kellogg Center maintains an international partnership with HHU that allows selected PPE students, as well as students from related programs at Virginia Tech, to spend a semester abroad as part of their degree programs.

Jack, can you tell us about your academic history at Virginia Tech?

I am pursuing a PPE major and a minor in Organizational Leadership, with an expected graduation year of Spring 2027. I am an incoming junior. During the spring and summer of my sophomore year, I completed my study abroad semester. 

How did you learn about this study abroad opportunity at HHU?

I learned about the PPE study abroad opportunity through information provided by the Center’s program manager, Holly Belcher. It was an incredible opportunity that I might have missed without that communication. My advice to others is to stay up to date with your emails to ensure you do not miss the many opportunities that the Kellogg Center has to offer.

What was the application process like?

The Virginia Tech application process is straightforward, simply follow the links and instructions provided. After submitting the application and gaining approval from Virginia Tech, connect with the Kellogg Center and a representative of the Global Education Office to discuss further details. For the HHU portion, staying on top of emails and keeping in correspondence with the International Office at HHU is crucial. The office is very helpful in guiding you through each step. It also helps clearing up any problems or questions along the way to ensure you are fully prepared before you depart for the study abroad.

What courses did you take at HHU and how did you benefit from them as a PPE student at Virginia Tech?

During my time at HHU, I had the opportunity to take a wide range of courses that helped me deepen my understanding of the interdisciplinary field of PPE.

One of the highlights was Introduction to Comparative Welfare State Analysis: Foundations, Theories, and Developments. This course gave me a thorough look at welfare states through the lenses of PPE, something I had not had the chance to dive into before. It really tied together the three parts of my major in a meaningful way.

I also took The Internal and External Dimensions of EU Economic Governance, a block seminar that expanded my perspective on EU economic governance, both internally and externally. It gave me a much broader view of PPE than I had before, showing how the field connects to global economic structures, which extended beyond my curriculum at Virginia Tech.

Another standout course was The Political Economy of Peace and Conflict. This course provided the opportunity to analyze past conflicts and peace resolutions, using historical analysis to determine the inner workings of conflicts and corruption.

I also participated in International Political Economy – Theories and Empirics, which was a great opportunity to consider the data side of PPE. I got to replicate data from real-world studies and explore how different factors play a role in conflicts, using statistical methods to examine what influences outcomes.

I also took Foundations of Institutional Economics, which helped me better understand the inner workings of institutional economics, and how game theory applies to unpredictable market actors. This course gave me a solid foundation regarding how modern economic theory considers institutions.

All of these courses were directly relevant to my PPE studies at Virginia Tech. Each course added a new layer of perspective connecting the three core areas of PPE, expanding my understanding of the field.

On top of all of that, I took a German A1.1 course outside of the exchange credit, which helped me immerse myself in the local culture and get a deeper connection to the country.

What were some of your main objectives in pursuing this study abroad opportunity?

My main objective for studying at HHU was to use this incredible opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and immerse myself in a new culture, gaining a fresh perspective on life outside of the United States. I believed that this new experience would broaden my horizons and deepen my understanding of the world. I was also very intrigued by the opportunity to assimilate within a completely different curriculum and program of not just PPE, but university structure. Understanding how education is approached in another country added valuable depth to my PPE studies, broadening my perspective outside of what I am accustomed to.

While attending HHU, I interacted with peers from a wide variety of backgrounds, ranging from Morocco to Turkey, which enriched my experience even further. I also wanted to take full advantage of my time abroad by traveling across Germany and Europe. My travels added an entirely new layer of understanding to my life and academic journey.

Is there any information you like to provide to current or prospective students interested in this study abroad opportunity?

Yes, I have a few tips. First, make sure to explore and embrace the new culture around you as fully as possible. The university provides a Deutsche Bahn ticket as part of your HHU ID, which gives you free train travel throughout Germany (excluding high speed trains). Be sure to take full advantage of this!

There are also great online resources for in-country travel, such as DB Navigator, nextbike, and Rheinbahn, and travel apps like Omio, Booking.com, Rome2rio, Travelocity, and Skyscanner to help with planning and navigating your trips. Public transportation is your best friend and using your phone for navigation will often be enough to get around.

Since this experience is likely very different from what you are used to, I highly recommend keeping an open mind, trying new things, and engaging with the people from all over the world that you will meet. These interactions will definitely broaden your horizon. Also, connecting with fellow PPE students is incredibly helpful. They can provide valuable support as you settle in and adjust to life abroad!

(Photo courtesy of Jack Kneissl-Williams – used with permission)