Alexis Sapp (Preferred Name: Lexi)
Alexis Sapp (Preferred Name: Lexi) (she/her) - Stanford in Berlin
Major: Computer Science (BS)
College year while abroad: Spring 2025-26
About the photo: This is me, a two-minute walk from the Stanford Center. I took this in the last week of the program and wanted a pic to remember my route!
Contact
Email: asapp15@stanford.edu or click here to schedule an appointment.
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Berlin?
It was really important for me to get out of my comfort zone in all aspects. Whether that meant learning a non-Romance language, leaving the country for the first time, or going to a fashion capital like Berlin, I wanted this to be a time and space in my life full of the unexpected, growth, immersion, and exploration! I believed that the Berlin program was a perfect opportunity to do this. It is amazing to look back at my first day and see just how many parts of my life have changed, including my German!
How did studying away support your academic growth?
In addition to fulfilling major requirements like E40M and taking accelerated German to complete my language requirement, I had the amazing opportunity to immerse myself in the theatre scene in Berlin, and I was absolutely blown away. As a theatre enthusiast, I really enjoyed the opportunity to interact, speak with, and engage with Berlin theatre on so many levels. I deeply appreciate Chris's guidance and her connections. It was amazing to see how many performers, inside jokes, and references we understood and collected by the end of the quarter!
What did you learn about yourself during your study away experience, especially through any challenges or major cultural adjustments?
As someone who had never left the US before this program, I had a lot of worries about navigating cultural differences. However, being someone who is quick to adapt, I learned that you simply have to take things in stride. I have become a much more spontaneous and adventurous person. I had the opportunity to solo travel frequently, explore Berlin deeply, and talk to so many amazing people! By the end of the program, I felt so confident that I could go to nearly any place, figure everything out on my own, and truly enjoy myself!
Briefly describe a typical day and your favorite part of daily life in your program location.
A typical day for me always started with coffee. I’d take a quick two-minute walk from my homestay to grab a €2.50 cappuccino and a fresh pastry before hopping on the U-Bahn. My first stop was German class from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, which was the perfect way to kick off the morning. From there, my schedule depended on the day, but my absolute favorite days were Wednesdays. They offered the perfect balance: spending time at the Stanford Center, attending engaging classes, and then heading out to explore Berlin. Whether I was discovering a new neighborhood, visiting a museum, or meeting up with friends at a local spot like Mattea, which is my absolute favorite cafe in Berlin!
If applicable, how did participating in an internship, volunteership or experiential-based project help you grow professionally? What specific skills did you gain?
N/A, I did not participate in Krupp!
What was the most essential item you took with you on the program?
A solid power bank! Because my days were so spontaneous, I would often be out from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. It would have been such a hassle to constantly stop to charge my phone or have to ask around for a charger. I absolutely love my pink power bank!
What advice would you give students who are considering studying away?
Bite the bullet! I truly cannot think of any reason why you shouldn't. Take the opportunity to escape the Stanford bubble and become a completely different person for 11 weeks, experiencing and exploring brand-new things! Immerse yourself, rarely say no, say Hallo, travel in and around Germany, and have an amazing time!