The group arrived in Mankato on Saturday for a two-night stay before continuing on to New Ulm. The tour concludes Sept. 10, when the students return to Germany from Chicago.

The exchange program is a required component of the geography curriculum at Erlangen, and most of the participating students are preparing to become schoolteachers. The tour focuses on immigration, settlement patterns and cultural heritage — particularly German and European ancestry, which has shaped many aspects of daily life in the United States.

Krüger, who has longstanding ties to faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato, reached out to colleagues for help arranging transportation. That connection led him to Lake Crystal Coaches and driver Joe Meyer. The partnership has since grown into a warm collaboration, with Meyer now helping coordinate the group’s visit to New Ulm, including site visits and host family stays.

“We cover a broad range of topics,” Krüger said. “But what stands out most is how welcoming people have been — especially here in New Ulm. That’s the impression I’ll take home above all.”

Professor Fred Krüger of the University of Erlangen–Nürnberg, left, stands with Joe Meyer, Concord Singer and Lake Crystal Coaches driver, during the group’s visit to Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm.

He emphasized that while the itinerary includes historical and cultural content, the personal connections formed during the visit are often the most meaningful.

Fourth-year student Lara Peyrer, a geography major from Nuremberg, shared her impressions of the visit.

“I was surprised to see so many signs in German,” she said, referencing streets like German Street and the presence of traditional attire. “It was interesting to see how much German culture is still visible here.”

Although the group had not yet explored much of New Ulm at the time of the interview, Peyrer expressed excitement about visiting landmarks such as Hermann Monument and Turner Hall later that day. She described the atmosphere in New Ulm as “down to earth” and noted that people in smaller American cities seemed especially friendly.

One highlight for Peyrer was staying with host families.

Lara Peyrer, a geography student from Erlangen, Germany, during her visit to New Ulm.

“It was amazing to get in touch with Americans and talk about our experiences,” she said. “We were a little nervous before coming — especially about immigration — but once we arrived, those worries disappeared. It didn’t feel so different from past visits.”

The students also visited Schell’s Brewery, where some sampled local beer and learned about the company’s German roots. While Peyrer did try the beer, she said the experience was more about cultural connection than consumption.

“It was fun to see how heritage is celebrated here — not just in museums, but in everyday places,” she said.

Adding to the brewery visit was a surprise performance by the Concord Singers, New Ulm’s beloved male chorus known for celebrating German heritage through song.

“They’re touring the historic brewery grounds, and when they return to the lower taproom to sample beer, we’ll be set up and ready to sing for about 20 minutes,” said longtime member Henry Bode. “I’m not sure if the music will sound better or if the beer will taste better with that combination — but we’re going to find out.”

The Concord Singers perform a surprise set at Schell’s Brewery for visiting students from Erlangen, Germany, celebrating shared heritage through song.

The visit to New Ulm is part of a broader effort to connect academic study with lived experience.

“Coming to the U.S. has always been one of the most inspiring parts of our curriculum,” Krüger said. “It’s exactly what our students need to grow — academically, professionally and personally.”