In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross chats with Julika Enslin, a YFU alum from Germany who spent a transformative year studying abroad in Michigan. Julika shares how her curiosity about cultures and love for English led her to the U.S., and how her exchange experience shaped her personal growth, academic path, and global career.
From field hockey and poetry slams to navigating cultural stereotypes and making lifelong connections, Julika reflects on the challenges and joys of adapting to American life. She also shares her journey after exchange—including studying in Egypt, earning a master’s degree at Georgetown, and teaching at West Point.
Whether you’re curious about cultural exchange, international education, or how one year abroad can shape a lifetime, Julika’s story is a powerful reminder of the doors that open when you say “yes” to new experiences.
Connect with Julika on LinkedIn: Julika Enslin