Thursday, October 2, 2025

by Bethani Lindsey

Bethani Lindsey in the Karwendal mountains in Germany Bethani Lindsey at the Karwendel mountain range on the German-Austrian border in May 2025.

From Texas to Germany: A Student’s Journey Abroad

Drafting a New Chapter: My Study Abroad Experience

By Bethani Lindsey, Class of 2026, B.F.A. in Interior Design, minor in Art History
Design Assistant, MatchLine Design Group, Dallas

Bethani at the Berlin Wall where its covered with paintings.

Bethani Lindsey at the Berlin Wall

For years, traveling to Europe felt like a dream too far out of reach. Between full-time work, raising four children with my husband, and returning to complete my B.F.A. in Interior Design, the idea of joining a study abroad program seemed impossible. Yet this summer, with the support of scholarships, my employer, and my family’s encouragement, that dream became real. I found myself in Germany with the UNT Faculty-led Art, Culture, and Design program — proof that even the most unlikely goals can be achieved when opportunity and determination meet.

The program began the week after finals, led by Hepi Wachter, professor of Interior Design, chair of the CVAD Department of Design, a native of Germany. Despite exhaustion, adrenaline carried us through long flights and more than 30 sleepless hours. Our first destination was Berlin, where we spent five days exploring museums, landmarks and historic churches. Each site was paired with a lecture or discussion, turning the city itself into our classroom. We quickly mastered the transit system and began exploring on our own, taking in the food, shopping, and above all, the art.

Ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin

Ruins of the 1895 neo-Romanesque Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a symbol of Berlin rising from the ashes of World War II.

Berlin lives and breathes creativity. From street murals to government-supported museums, art is everywhere. That openness is striking, given Germany’s history under Hitler, when modern works were confiscated and derided as “Degenerate Art.” Just before the trip, I had visited the “Degenerate Art” exhibition at the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth, so seeing those same works in Berlin was surreal. My favorite stop was the Kunstgewerbemuseum, a treasure trove of design. Architecture told its own layered stories, from neo-gothic and classical structures to bold postmodern designs. Most unforgettable was the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, left in partial ruin after World War II, and later rebuilt with striking modern stained-glass windows by the renowned stained-glass artist Gabriel Loire.

One of the most moving experiences was visiting the Berlin Wall. At the Berliner Mauer Memorial, I touched the cold concrete and listened to stories of families torn apart. The site preserves a section of the original wall and the “death strip” that once ran beside it. No book or lecture can fully capture the reality of a barrier that once cut through the heart of a city.

From Berlin, we traveled 313 miles south by high-speed train to Munich. Nestled in Bavaria, the city carries the weight of history as the birthplace of the Nazi Party. We visited Königsplatz [King's Square], where mass rallies of the Nazis once filled the square, and the site of the Brown House, a former Nazi headquarters. Yet Munich was also vibrant, proud, and distinctly Bavarian. My favorite in Munich was the Lenbachhaus, home to the Städtische Galerie [Municipal Gallery]. This art museum is home to The Blue Rider group, a German Expressionist artist collective founded in Munich in 1911 by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc. Their pioneering shift toward abstraction had a profound influence on modern art, extending far beyond Germany.

Visiting these cities gave me a deeper connection to artists, designers, and their work than I could ever gain from books. The experience reshaped my perspective on history, culture, and design. Already, I approach interior design with a broader vision — thinking more creatively, drawing on what I’ve seen and felt, and embracing challenges with renewed energy.

This journey would not have been possible without scholarships. Chief among them was the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which not only helped fund my trip but also connected me to a global network of peers. The Gilman Program equips students with professional skills, cultural insight, and international connections, preparing them to become leaders who advance prosperity, security and cross-cultural understanding.

For students hesitating because of cost, I hope my story offers encouragement. Say yes first, then seek out the organizations eager to support you. The effort is worth it. The Gilman Program is an excellent starting point, particularly for students with high financial need who wish to explore the world.

This experience was more than traveling abroad — it was the beginning of a new chapter. Balancing school, work, and family to make it happen proved that possibilities expand when I am willing to step forward. As I approach graduation and a career in interior design, I carry with me the richness of the art, history, and culture I experienced firsthand. Drafting this new chapter abroad has broadened my perspective not only as a designer but also as a student, mother, and global citizen.

2026 CVAD Faculty-led Study Abroad Opportunities

Berlin and Munich

June 1–19: Culture, Art and Design
Hepi Wachter and Amanda Weiss
Attend one of the Information Sessions! | All take place in the Art Building, Room 255
2025
Oct. 28, 6 p.m.
Nov. 17, 6 p.m.
2026
Jan. 14, 6 p.m.
Feb. 5, 6 p.m.

From Texas to Germany: A Student’s Journey Abroad

Drafting a New Chapter: My Study Abroad Experience

2026 CVAD Faculty-led Study Abroad Opportunities

Seoul, South Korea

Venice, Italy

Florence, Italy

Berlin and Munich