Nora Schulte - Political Science and Communication Studies - Lyon

© Felix Meyerhoff

My name is Nora Schulte and I am studying Political Science and Communication Studies. I went to Lyon in France with ERASMUS in my 6th semester.

Why did you want to go abroad and how important was it for you to spend part of your studies abroad?

You would never usually have the chance to go abroad so easily and discover completely new things in such a good setting. Personally, I had the feeling that I wanted to do something completely new and go somewhere completely different, somewhere I'd never been before. Not because of boredom, just because sometimes you want to get out and experience something new.

And why did you decide to go to Lyon?

Because I'd never been there before and I'd heard a lot of good things. For example, that it was a great student city. I've lived in France before, but never in a city. Lyon is also the third largest city in France. I really wanted to explore life in a French city.

What was the biggest difference to your life here in Dresden?

I loved the Mediterranean lifestyle. I was constantly in cafés or sitting outside by the river. You just did so much and enjoyed life in a completely different way. Simply because the climate is much better there.

Were you able to make friends there quickly?

Yes, especially with other ERASMUS students or other exchange students, like the Americans. Because they are also looking for people, of course. Mostly at parties, that always went very well. But you also got into conversation with the French very quickly in everyday life.

How would you describe the ERASMUS students in Lyon?

Above all, there was a lot of partying and everyone enjoyed life to the full. But, of course, everyone wanted to get the most out of life at university. Overall, it was very relaxed. Everyone always wanted to do a lot. Thanks to all the ERASMUS students, I also went on excursions all the time and saw a lot.

Did you feel comfortable throughout your time in Lyon?

Yes, I was super happy in Lyon. It's a really cool city and everything was so nice and summery. The people were all cool too. And of course, the people aren't that different from the people here in Germany.

Were you able to integrate your semester abroad into your studies here in Dresden without any problems?

Yes, it was really easy! I didn't get any grades credited, but I was able to have many of my German courses credited as "passed."

Do you want to go abroad again?

Definitely! It always sounds kind of silly to say that it's such a unique experience. But it really is. It's great fun getting to know new people and new places. I would love to go to southern Europe again. Maybe Italy or Portugal. Or something completely different. Maybe Norway. I've never been there either and I find the country super exciting.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about going abroad?

First of all, don't be afraid, it will always be cool! And if you're looking for an apartment at the beginning, it's always best to use Facebook. You can find really great things there. And if you're worried that you won't be able to make friends, then you should just stick to the many ERASMUS people. Then it will always be good!

To what extent did your semester abroad in France influence your further studies?

Well, mainly in the sense that I want to go abroad again! *laughs* But apart from that, it was of course also a formative experience. The fact that you have to deal with so many different people teaches you to be much more open-minded. And not only to accept these differences, but also to appreciate them. I think a semester abroad like this awakens your interest in seeing even more countries and meeting new people.

In retrospect, would you say that it was difficult to organize your ERASMUS semester?

ERASMUS makes it super easy! Everyone at the university in the host country knows about it and there is always an ERASMUS officer - both in Dresden and in Lyon. Actually, you just had to find the ERASMUS coordinator and everything was really easy straight away. I found it really easy because the program is really well organized.

Did you have any interesting courses at your university in France?

I had a very cool course on Brexit. It was particularly interesting for me because a lot of students from England also attended the course. It really reflected the whole European perspective on such topics.

Are you still in contact with the people you met in Lyon?

Yes, especially with the Germans. I now have two new friends in Leipzig and one in Berlin, who I have also visited since then. But also with some French people who have already been here in Germany. You keep in touch with people somehow.

Did anything funny happen that you would like to share?

We organized a big picnic by the river. And we ERASMUS students arranged to meet up with the American students in Lyon. We brought tea, delicious baguettes, dips and fruit. When we arrived, we saw the Americans only with huge bags of chips and plastic-wrapped sandwiches and ready meals. It really made us feel like the last of the ecologists. Small cultural differences like that were always really funny.

What role do you think the ERASMUS program plays for Europe?

I think it's so important that young people from different countries come into contact with each other at an early age. So that they see that there are differences, but at the same time that we are very similar. You don't even realize what it was like before there was such an important exchange. And to realize that, you simply have to take part in it.

During your semester abroad in Lyon, did you feel like you were missing out on anything here in Dresden?

No, not at all really. One semester really isn't that long. I rather had the feeling that I had to do as much as I could in Lyon. Of course I kept in touch with my friends here in Dresden, but I really didn't feel like I was missing anything at all. Not even at university.

And has your French improved?

My English actually got better. *laughs* I could already speak French relatively well before. I think that if you don't have such a good level at the beginning, you can really learn a lot more through ERASMUS. And otherwise you really have to make an effort to do a lot at university or just do things with French people to improve your language skills. But speaking French every day has definitely helped a lot.

Marco Schwabe - Computer Science - Rennes

© Felix Meyerhoff

My name is Marco Schwabe and I am now in my 7th semester of my Computer Science degree. I was in Rennes, France, a year ago. I was there from October to February and studied Computer Science, just like here in Dresden.

Why did you want to go abroad?

I was mainly motivated by the language. I studied French at school for six years, but unfortunately not much of it stuck. That's why I really wanted to improve my French. Before my stay abroad, I had already taken a few French courses here at TU Dresden. Although the lectures at the university in Rennes were all in French, we were also able to take the exams in English. So there were no problems with the language. After my stay, I am now much better able to keep up with conversations and really understand almost everything. It definitely helped me to go to France.

What was the university in Rennes like and what courses did you take?

You have to realize that the university there is an engineering school. The campus is outside the city, is quite large and houses all the buildings. The distance from the student residences to the courses was therefore always extremely short, but it was also more difficult to get into the city center. The courses were very practice-oriented. We were often given practical tasks that we then had to solve. For example, we had to program processors, which I had never had to do at TU Dresden before. I really enjoyed doing something practical compared to the teaching here in Dresden. Overall, the system in France is much more school-based than in Germany. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the professors' teaching there. I really enjoyed a course where we worked with routers from industry.

How well were you able to integrate your semester abroad into your studies here in Dresden?

Very well! In the fifth and sixth semesters, we have the modules "Consolidation in Computer Science" and "Specialization in Computer Science," each with 12 credit points, which I was able to have credited 1:1. I then also passed both modules.

What do you think of the ERASMUS organization?

It's definitely worth it! However, you should always remember to take care of everything in good time. I always do everything at the very last minute and only took care of everything a week before the deadline. Fortunately, everything still worked out. *laughs*

Did you feel comfortable abroad?

Everything was great, especially at the uni. In France, I wasn't just one of many students, I was able to play a full part in the small courses. That was always a lot of fun. I also got on very well with the other ERASMUS students and did a lot of things. As an ERASMUS student, you were also less exposed to the pressure to perform at university than the French students. The student residences were ok, but I would still recommend everyone to look for a shared flat. Then you have a better balance between campus and student life in the city.

What was your life like outside the university?

After I met a few people who studied politics in the city, I did a lot of things. We went on excursions together or went to museums. People came from all over the world, which was always exciting.

What did you gain from your stay abroad?

I got to know a different culture. Of course, it also helped me a lot with my language skills. But I also gained a lot from the practical experience at university. If I were to do it again, I would prefer to do it in the south of France. The weather is better there than in the north. *laughs*

Wajdi Abdel-Haq - Material Science - Lille

© Felix Meyerhoff

My name is Wajdi Abdel-Haq. I am a student at the Faculty of Material Science and I am currently in my 12th semester. Last semester I was abroad in Lille. There I deepened my knowledge in the textile sector. I came in there as a lateral entrant, so to speak.

Why did you want to go abroad?

I also did my community service abroad and I love traveling. Due to my migrant background, I already have a certain affinity for foreign countries and traveling. Of course, I wanted to take the opportunity to do ERASMUS again, i.e. to go abroad on a paid basis. With the program, you really don't have to worry about much, which is of course great.

How was the university in France?

The university there is an École Supérieure, which is very popular in France. The university was very practical. To start with, I took the courses that were recommended to me by my professor here in Germany. I then mainly acquired a lot of practical knowledge in the textile sector. I learned technical terms and worked with machines that were new to me or refreshed my knowledge, as I had already woven in Serbia. But I also took part in normal lessons, which was also really good. You always get help straight away. I was also the only ERASMUS student at the university, which is why I immediately stood out. People always approached me and even helped me with exams, for example. I also wrote my thesis there. I didn't need anything else to be credited and so I took a lot of courses according to my interests. I then went into textile design and designed and sewed my own trousers, for example. I really enjoyed it all.

How did you do with the language?

My French was already quite good before that, but the first month was still difficult. I once sat in class at 8 o'clock in the morning. The professor then announced an impromptu test, which I somehow didn't quite understand. Everyone then started writing and suddenly the professor stood right behind me and asked me if I didn't want to write anything at all. Things like that just happen at the beginning, but it's not really tragic. It's also a nice experience and a funny story.

What was your life like outside of university?

I lived in student accommodation, which was organized by the university. I got to know a lot of new people within the first week. At the beginning it was mainly French students, but in the second semester some other ERASMUS students also came to the university. I was often invited and then went everywhere. I did a lot of sport and also went to all the parties and took part in events during the introductory month. Thanks to all the other students, I now have contacts all over Europe, India and China. I still talk to people on the phone from time to time and have even visited India. I'll be back at the university soon to do some experiments with my professor for a publication. In the meantime, I'll also be staying with friends.

Did you feel like you were missing out on anything here in Dresden during your stay abroad?

No, I didn't have that feeling at all. I never regretted going abroad. Some of my friends also visited me in France. And some of my friends were even at other universities in France at the same time as me.

What did you gain from your stay abroad?

Definitely a lot of enthusiasm. For example, for the European project, which I think is very cool, but also for traveling. I traveled a lot and the university always gave me the opportunity to do so. But it was also very interesting to see how other approaches to laboratory work or the organization of teaching work. I learned to take a more relaxed approach to research. In Germany, for example, if you fill 500ml of something, it is looked at very carefully and all kinds of things are measured. In France, you have someone who does it like cooking. You tip everything together somehow and it still works in the end. I am now also considering whether I would like to work in France and I even have a job offer there.

Lucie Brunner - Psychology - Limerick

© Lucie Brunner

I'm Lucie, I'm studying Psychology and I went to Limerick in Ireland on Erasmus in spring 2023.

How did you decide to go to Ireland on Erasmus?

I really wanted to go to an English-speaking country to improve my English, which is also very important during my studies. And Ireland was the only English-speaking country available due to Brexit. I thought that was a shame at first, but then I looked into the university in Ireland and fell in love with it straight away because the campus looked really nice and the university described itself as a green and sustainable university on its website. And then I looked into Ireland in general and really wanted to go there.

Did you cope well with the organization of your semester abroad and finding accommodation?

On the whole, it was quite a lot of organization. You needed a lot of documents and signatures for the application, but it's definitely worth it. I was also well received by the university: I received regular information emails in advance on all kinds of topics. And then in Limerick there were lots of information events and people to talk to, which was really nice. I also received emails from the university about accommodation, but the application to the hall of residence was still a bit complicated because you had to submit various requests and didn't quite know how much each hall of residence would cost. Fortunately, I got one of my first preferences. It was a bit off-campus, but at €650 it was okay, because there is a big housing problem in Ireland.

How did you like university life in Limerick and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

I thought it was great that you could attend a lot of courses at the beginning and only had to decide later what you wanted to take. You could first see what to expect in the course, what the exams were, etc. I was also able to take two courses outside of psychology, which was very exciting. I had to write a lot of texts there, actually a longer essay in every module, which I didn't know from Dresden. However, this significantly improved my ability to write specialist texts in English.

There were lots of opportunities to make friends: There were clubs and societies for sports and many other hobbies. For example, I was in the Craft Society, where you made things every week, the Photo Society and the Feminist Society. There was also quite a lot of other programs. There was something on campus every week, for example a small farmers' market, yoga and every Friday was International Night in the student club on campus. So if you wanted to, you could take part in a lot of things.

And what was a typical week like for you in Ireland?

My timetable wasn't super full, I chose four modules because I also wanted to have free time to get to know the culture. So I had my lectures and seminars from Monday to Friday and in between I often went to the gym, which was free of charge from the university. I also spent a lot of time with friends and got on really well with my flatmates from the hall of residence. We often went into the city centre and, especially at the beginning, a lot of trips were organized at the weekend where we went to other cities. We also sometimes went to Dublin on our own or to Belfast in Northern Ireland. They weren't huge distances and public transport isn't that expensive in Ireland.

Why would you recommend a semester abroad with Erasmus to others?

Because it's just a super cool experience! I think no matter where you go, you get to meet so many new people and experience a different culture. It also helps you a lot to develop and find yourself more when you go to a completely new environment and build a kind of 'new life.' Ireland is also a really cool country that I never really thought about before. It has beautiful nature and the people are super lovely too.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that has stuck in your mind in particular?

I learned how to drink Guinness properly: I didn't realize there was so much to it. A pint glass should ideally be drunk in four sips and the first sip must be such that the beer just reaches the middle of the Guinness lettering. Another thing that sometimes confused me: Irish people often use "Hi, how are you?" as a greeting, but not as a question, just said. The mother of my Irish flatmate once came into the shared flat and greeted me in the same way and I replied: "I'm fine, and you?" and she gave me a really confused look because she didn't expect anyone to reply. Even the cashiers at the supermarket greeted me like that.

What do you wish you had brought back to Dresden from Limerick?

My very first thought is, of course, the people. Two or three people from my shared flat in particular have very much become my "family." We could talk about so much, and even when I wasn't doing so well, they were always there. And then there was nature: on the way to campus, I always walked along a really beautiful road with lots of trees. Everything was so green and the birds were chirping.

Franziska Strehlow - German studies - Naples

© Felix Meyerhoff

My name is Franziska Strehlow and I am studying Linguistics, Literature and Cultural Studies, now officially in the 2nd semester of my Master's degree. In my 1st semester I was abroad. I was in Naples from February to July. I wanted to go to Italy because it had always appealed to me. I had also been taking an Italian course here at TU Dresden for three semesters.

Were you able to study your subject there without any problems?

Broadly speaking, yes. I did German studies and art history in my Bachelor's degree and also did the same at the university in Naples. I attended a literary studies seminar, an art history seminar and a philology seminar. Everything was in Italian, although many of the texts were in German, which was often very funny. The lecturers were therefore all definitely better at German than I was at Italian. But that wasn't a problem at all and communication always went well. I had A2 level at the beginning, but I couldn't really speak yet. But that was never a big problem. You make good progress and as there are so many other ERASMUS students there, you can always get by with English. Or with your hands and feet in an emergency. *laughs*

What are the differences to the university here in Germany?

In Italy, the seminars were purely lecture-style. You work on the texts together, but the course is still organized by the lecturer alone. Nevertheless, I found it very exciting. The art history course in particular showed me a different perspective, as you look at everything from an Italian point of view. So, of course, the focus was mainly on Italian artists.

How well were you able to integrate your semester abroad into your studies here at TU Dresden?

Quite well, actually. Everything was already covered beforehand with the "Learning Agreement." What I could have credited for what, so to speak. I was able to get two courses credited without any problems.

And why did you choose Naples?

Because you could only study German Studies in Naples through my faculty. But if I had gone abroad via German as a foreign language, the decisive factor would have been the sea. And since Naples is right by the sea, that would have been a given.

What was your life like outside of university?

I was really lucky with my room. I booked accommodation via Airbnb for the first few days and was able to move into one of the rooms for the entire period by chance. One of my flatmates was also German, who helped me a lot with the language at the beginning. On the other hand, you are also quickly tempted to stay in the German language context and not really get involved in Italian. Or to only speak English with other ERASMUS students. And many of the Italians we met on site also wanted to speak German or English with us. I quickly made friends in this ERASMUS pool. I felt very comfortable in that respect.

How was life in Naples in general?

Life was loud, wild and dirty! *laughs* Really chaotic, so it really is a completely different life... Everything is quieter here, but it was a real sensory overload there, especially in the first few weeks. I don't know if I could do it permanently, but it's all a matter of getting used to it somewhere. In Naples, everything is in the center. The university too. I lived within walking distance of both the campus and all the piazzas. And it never took me more than 15 minutes to get to the sea. You can really take in a lot of scenery and culture in the district of Naples. There is such a huge selection of excursion destinations, such as the "Path of the Gods," which is an incredible place for hiking.

And what do you miss most when you return to Dresden?

The weather, of course, but also the colorful hustle and bustle and, above all, the beautiful Italian language. I really miss the sound of the language. Especially at Christmas, it's really nice to pick up a few Italian words from the tourists at the Striezelmarkt every now and then. It goes down like butter!

Did you feel comfortable there?

It was difficult at first, being completely on my own. But that was really just an initial adjustment period. You just need a certain amount of time to settle in, to find your way around the city and to feel confident enough to speak freely. And then you can really enjoy it! In hindsight, I would perhaps have liked to have stayed for a whole year.

What advice would you give to someone who says it's not worth going abroad?

It's definitely worth it. Of course, I also doubted at first whether it was worth it. I asked myself whether I would really benefit from it. And then there's also pressure to get good grades. You have to be finished on time and you wonder whether it fits into your CV at all. In hindsight, I think I put far too much stress on myself back then. A semester abroad always takes you further. You are completely on your own and learn to stand on your own two feet. You also get to know yourself in a completely new way. You have the opportunity to experience a different culture and life in a new country up close. I don't see why you shouldn't do a semester abroad. And you shouldn't be put off by all the bureaucracy. That would be nonsense!

Do you want to go abroad again?

Yes, as I said, in hindsight half a year is really too short. I would also like to go to Italy again. Just to improve my language again. A language course here in Germany just isn't the same.

What does ERASMUS do for Europe?

The countries become much more connected with each other. You often have clichés of other countries in your head. And when you are there, you question them all. You are also very intercultural in your circle of friends. Even the ERASMUS group is made up of people from different countries. It's such a nice big, colorful group where you can ask each other questions: Hey, what's it like in your country? I think it's really important to get to know other cultures.

Caroline Scherer - Teaching French/Italian - Bologna and Besançon

© Felix Meyerhoff

I am Caroline Scherer, now 28 years old, and I studied French and Italian in the teaching degree program at TU Dresden and also took Latin as a third subject. I have been abroad twice with ERASMUS. The first time was in my 6th and therefore last Bachelor's semester and the second time was in my last Master's semester. I was first in Bologna and then in Besançon in France. I went abroad to get to know the country and its people. You can only do that if you are there for a longer period of time. As a teacher in particular, you have to get a feel for the countries in order to be able to convey this well later on. Experiencing something is different from just reading about it.

How were your language skills before and after your stays abroad?

Before my semester in Italy, my Italian was pretty bumpy. I had to think a lot before I spoke. After my stay, it came out much more fluently. Before France, I already had a relatively high level of French. But I didn't really have the confidence to speak. But my stay in France helped me a lot to overcome these inhibitions.

What was your life abroad like?

Bologna is one of the oldest university cities in Europe and you can tell. The city has grown together with the university and the two are now inseparable. Masses of exchange students come to Bologna every year. When you arrive, you are therefore somewhat left to your own devices. The university in Besançon is much smaller, which made the welcome much nicer. We were picked up at the train station and accompanied to the campus. It was much easier to settle in due to the smaller number of foreign students. I felt comfortable throughout. I made friends very quickly in both cities through the university, which also led to good friendships. In France, there was a bar opposite the campus where an international evening was held every Tuesday. International and French students and lecturers came together there. That was always a lot of fun.

Why did you want to go abroad again after your stay in Bologna?

I made so many friends in Bologna that I still have today. You get to know people from all over the world. I simply wouldn't want to miss these friendships. That's why I really wanted to do ERASMUS again. Simply because it's also the easiest way to organize things.

What was the university abroad like?

In Italy, I was able to choose my courses. I mainly took Italian literature and language history. In Germany, you don't know exactly what the courses are about, but you still have a rough idea. Depending on the course, you have to take a different exam at the end. The lecturers were actually all open-minded and made the exams easier for us ERASMUS students. I could have had all my courses credited, but I went abroad after I had already completed all my courses in Germany and wanted to have a nice final exam abroad before I wrote my thesis. This gave me a different perspective on the subject and teaching as a whole.

Did you feel like you were missing out on something in Dresden during your time abroad?

Quite the opposite. I have the feeling that students who don't go abroad during their studies are missing out on something. In France, there was another student from Dresden. And whenever we did something together, we always had the feeling that it was much more exciting than in Dresden. When you're abroad, you see everything with wider eyes.

Lea Bänder - Mathematics in the Teacher Training degree program - Sendai

© Lea Bänder

Hello, my name is Lea Bänder. I am studying Mathematics and Art here at TU with the aim of becoming a secondary school teacher. In the 7th semester, I studied mathematics with TUDworldwide at Tōhoku University in Japan.

How did you decide to go to Japan with TUDworldwide?

I had wanted to go to Japan earlier to do one of my internships from my teacher training course there. But then Covid came along and I wanted to stay in Germany. I later took advantage of several advising services at TUD and got some information. I thought to myself, if I'm going abroad for six months, I might as well go further away, to a country where a vacation wouldn't be worth it. I then looked around a lot in Asia and as I had already been to China and already had good connections to South Korea, I decided on Japan. The fact that I'm interested in anime and manga, and that I liked the universities, certainly also played a role.

Did you have a good time organizing your semester abroad, from applying for funding to finding accommodation?

I think it's always a lot of effort when you go outside of Europe and I won't downplay that. I had quite a few problems with the visa because I was missing a document from the Japanese university. I only had my visa two days before departure, but everything worked out in the end. But finding accommodation went really well. As exchange students had to live in student accommodation, there were only a few boxes to tick. Even when I arrived, everything worked very well.

How did you like university life in Japan and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

It went really well! I was in a comparatively "smaller" city (with 1.5 million inhabitants), which is not so touristy, so the level of English was quite low. But there are lots of groups that offer meetings for international students, so I felt very comfortable in my international bubble and had a great student life. I was the only international student at the university, so communication was difficult. The courses were officially taught in English, but not everything in my research group was in English. My professor spoke English, but many students did not. However, we found a solution and larger labs in particular have great English courses. I also had many language courses or culture classes in English. But even though I continued to learn Japanese there, it wasn't enough to build a friendship. I only had a handful of Japanese acquaintances. But that didn't really bother me at the time because there were so many cool international students there. I would still recommend learning Japanese a little better.

University life is really great: when you walk across the campus, there's something going on everywhere, there's music everywhere, it's super colorful. And in Japan, there are study clubs for all kinds of things... for hip-hop, tea ceremony, archery, all kinds of sports, but also lots of music, theater, poetry writing, etc. It's almost all in Japanese, but I often took someone with me who was good at Japanese and it worked.

And what was a typical week like for you in Sendai?

I had four hours of language courses, some math classes, my culture classes and also some self-study, but that was much more relaxed than in Dresden. Apart from that, I spent a lot of time eating out with people, drinking coffee, going out in the city in the evenings and going on excursions almost every weekend. In Sendai alone, you can go to lots of temples and there are lots of cultural activities. We often went on weekend trips with the professor in my culture class, e.g. to the sake brewery, so we also did the clichéd tourist program. My life revolved more around social contacts, but I didn't miss out on university either *laughs*. I still made academic progress.

Why would you recommend others to spend a semester abroad outside of Europe?

I think you have even less cultural intuition about non-European countries. It's really worth immersing yourself a little longer. I also try to fly as little as possible. And when I do take such a long flight, it's nice to be there for at least six months. I actually have the feeling that I needed the time there to warm up a bit and learn the language. You're also more likely to meet people outside Europe who come from somewhere else in the world than on Erasmus. And of course, the great food must also be emphasized!

Was there a funny or surprising experience that has stuck in your mind in particular?

In the last two weeks, I rented a car with friends and we drove to the northernmost island, Hokkaido, where there was a lot of snow. There were snow festivals with ice sculptures, light installations and so on. And the most unusual thing was that we went drift ice walking there. You were on the frozen sea in dry suits and could jump a hole in the ice and swim between the floes. It was really funny because you didn't feel cold at all in the suits and hardly noticed that you were swimming, apart from the weightlessness.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Japan?

The standard answer is of course the food, but you can get a lot of that in Dresden too. But in Japan it's much cheaper to eat out, it's often no more expensive than cooking yourself. That was great! And I think we can really take a leaf out of their book. Everyone is treated very respectfully and politely. For example, if you want to get on the subway, everyone queues up. It's often said that this seems a bit artificial, but I still find that it usually creates a much more relaxed atmosphere. Of course, there are a few aspects that can be criticized, but that's exactly why I recommend everyone to experience it for themselves. And I miss karaoke! *laughs*

Jonas Mittag - Mechanical Engineering - Tokyo

© Jonas Mittag

I'm Jonas Mittag, 24, and I'm studying Mechanical Engineering. In the 10th semester I was in Japan with TUDworldwide (and PROMOS) and studied (mainly) robotics there.

How did you decide to go to Japan with TUDworldwide?

I wanted to see something completely different from Europe. I chose Japan because I've always had an affinity with the culture and had already learned some Japanese. I wanted to go to a country where I could learn a third language, so the USA and Australia were already out of the question. I was also particularly interested in this university because it has a very good reputation in Japan and I could study robotics there, which was my goal. Everything just fell into place.

Did you manage the organization of your semester abroad well, from applying for funding to finding accommodation?

At the time, I had applied for a clearing place and therefore only had nine months to organize everything. Fortunately, I was able to apply for accommodation directly through the university at the student residence. As far as PROMOS was concerned, it worked out well because I was still in the application period. I also had no problems with the visa. The only thing that made it more expensive, to say the least, was that I received the firm acceptance letter from the university relatively late, so I couldn't book my flights until later. And I had to organize a few things for my health test for Japanese health insurance, but it's not compulsory.

How did you like university life in Tokyo and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

At the university, everything is on one campus and that's where university life takes place. You were given a course schedule by the university, but you could also take other courses, for which you had to ask the professors. They actually always said yes because the professors are very sympathetic towards foreign students. I even went out for sushi with some of the professors because they were so happy that I was there.

Making friends was super easy, there were various associations for international students. And because I was in an international hall of residence, I got to know people who were in the same situation as me. There are also endless sports clubs at the university to make friends. It was sometimes a bit difficult with English, but you could always get by with hand and foot or Google translator. And the people are super helpful and accompany you everywhere, there is no better welcome in a country.

And what was a typical week like for you in Tokyo?

I had my normal timetable with my modules, where attendance was compulsory, and homework. It was a bit like school. Then I went to the gym, there was a gym on campus, free of charge and open 24 hours a day, and I played futsal several times a week. It was half an hour from the dormitory to the center of Tokyo, there is more than enough to see. I always used the weekends to travel. Japan is totally diverse, because there are different climate zones in a small area. For example, in April you can go skiing, see the cherry blossom and go diving in the south of Japan. So from beaches with totally clear water to the volcanoes in the north, it's all there.

Why would you recommend others to spend a semester abroad outside of Europe?

You get to experience a completely different culture. Of course Spain is also different, but still very European. You know how everything works there. But if you go somewhere completely different, you have the super long time difference and you can't even go home for Christmas. That's quite good for becoming independent. And you get to meet people from all over the world. I'm going to Australia next year, for example, and I'm planning to stay with people I know from Japan. You also have a different attitude to life and a completely different culture outside of Europe, especially in Japan with the temples, Hinduism and Buddhism. I found that really exciting. I also saw a lot of things that wouldn't work here, such as bicycles left unlocked on the street because nobody would steal them. And when you're there for six months, you really settle in and get to see a lot more than you would on a vacation. You don't get another chance like that after your studies, not even financially.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

We were once in an Airbnb in a village of 20 people and suddenly the elderly woman next door rang the doorbell. We could barely speak Japanese and she couldn't speak English. But she had noticed that we were foreign students and brought us breakfast every morning just like that. In typical Japanese fashion, she fetched the fish at 4 a.m. while we were still asleep and we gave her the key to the Airbnb. It was always a great breakfast. She was really super nice and even called the restaurants in town several times and made reservations for us.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Japan?

The punctuality of the trains! *laughs* The trains were on average 18 seconds late, which was nice. But apart from that, especially the attitude of the people. They're all super polite, everyone looks out for each other, keeps everything clean... everyone just thinks very socially. Everyone here would also benefit from this care.

Erik Kaiser - Industrial Engineering and Management - Calgary

© Erik Kaiser

My name is Erik Kaiser and I am studying Industrial Engineering and Management with a specialization in Accounting & Finance and Electrical Engineering. In the 7th semester I was in Calgary, Canada with TUDworldwide (and PROMOS).

How did you decide to go to Canada with TUDworldwide?

I had always known that I wanted to go abroad, but I didn't know exactly where. We were talking about it one evening with friends and came up with the idea that Canada could be a good destination because of the nature, the nice people and also because Canada is sometimes called the "better USA." I then found out about the partner universities and they also appealed to me, so I applied there.

Did you have a good time organizing your semester abroad, from applying for funding to finding accommodation?

I found everything quite well organized, but of course you still have to take care of a lot of things yourself, there is no real guide for that. But if you really want to do it and you leave yourself plenty of time, you can manage it all. The most time-consuming part for me was writing applications for three universities and finding suitable courses at each of them. Once you've done that, you can manage the rest. TUD also does a good job of supporting you. The search for accommodation was very relaxed for me, you could simply apply for a place in a student hall of residence once you had been accepted. However, you should be aware that the accommodation is significantly more expensive than in Dresden. Due to the high costs for accommodation and supermarkets, you should definitely apply for PROMOS funding and possibly also look for other funding opportunities so that you can experience the things you want to experience.

How did you like university life in Calgary and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

The university campus is an area in itself, which is laid out like a park and where you could easily reach everything; my hall of residence was also there. That was very nice. And what I liked best: There were free sports facilities right on campus, such as a bouldering and a swimming hall, a gym and lots of courses. You make friends very quickly, for example in the introductory events or in the courses in general. The Canadians are incredibly friendly and open and will even show you around the city because they are happy that you are so interested in their country. Of course, you also automatically come into contact with the other exchange students.

And what was a typical week like for you in Calgary?

I had my courses from Monday to Thursday or Friday. In Canada, there were also a lot of assignments during the semester, which we always tried to complete during the week. Because I only took three courses (there was a choice between three or five courses), it was well balanced so that there was also free time for sports and social contacts during the week. Calgary is a big city close to the Rocky Mountains (comparable to Munich and the Alps), so we often went to the mountains by car at the weekend. There are the Banff  and Jasper National Parks, where we often went hiking and climbing. In winter you can also go skiing there.

Why would you recommend others to spend a semester abroad outside of Europe?

During a semester abroad, you get out of your own comfort zone and meet new people. I think that no matter how you organize your time abroad, whether you immerse yourself in university, go partying a lot, or spend a lot of time in nature, like me, you come back with positive experiences. And why outside of Europe? I think you can travel pretty much anywhere in Europe in one or two weeks' vacation, whereas in America or Asia, for example, it's worth living there for a longer period of time. I was also particularly interested in American life and wanted to go to an English-speaking country.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

Whenever we went out to the national parks, I was fascinated by the vastness of the country and its beauty. There are so many moments that have stayed with me, I can't pinpoint just one.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Canada?

The people's closeness to nature: A lot of people lived for going outdoors at the weekend or during the week in the evening. That really impressed me. It also enabled me to find a very cool circle of friends and we all spent a lot of time outdoors together. I would also have liked to take the weather with me. Calgary gets super cold in winter, but you only have one day of rain a week at most and otherwise the sun always shines. Despite the -20°C, you don't get any winter depression.

Gustav Bieberstein - Industrial Engineering and Management - Montreal

© Kristina Papajewski

My name is Gustav Bieberstein. I'm studying Industrial Engineering and Management and I spent my 9th semester with TUDworldwide at the Polytechnique in Montreal in 2022/23.

How did you decide to go to Canada with TUDworldwide?

I had actually already had a place on a double degree program in Victoria (British Columbia) in the 2nd semester, but that didn't work out due to very high tuition fees. Then I wanted to switch to France, but that wouldn't have helped me during Covid. However, I had always wanted to go to Canada anyway and when a friend told me about his application in Montreal the day before the deadline, I immediately gathered all the documents for the application within a day and we applied together.

Did you manage the organization of your semester abroad well, from applying for funding to finding accommodation?

I had to organize a lot myself, for example phoning the university to get certain dates, but the staff there took good care of everything. I had to take out state health insurance in order to get a visa, so I submitted a few things. I couldn't use PROMOS because I was unfortunately rejected. There would have been other scholarship programs, but it was all too short notice for me. We were already looking for accommodation at the beginning of May, but I would advise others to do this when they fist arrive and stay in a hostel because we paid far too much for our shared room. But we wanted to be sure of our accommodation. In general, you should be aware that Canada is quite expensive.

How did you like university life in Montreal and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

It was a bit difficult for us because everyone in Quebec speaks French and we couldn't understand the local accent very well with our school French. We were at a French-speaking university, but we quickly made it a point to go to events with our German flatmates who were at English-speaking universities. At university, I took courses from the PhD program because they were offered in English. The courses were quite strenuous: the demands were similar to those in Dresden, but the workload was quite high because I had a lot of assignments and deadlines. I was sometimes busy with university for 12-13 hours a day. On the other hand, I was introduced to academic work very well and learned a lot. With us, it was a really good mix of 'you learn something professionally' and still have a good life.

And what did a typical week look like for you in Montreal?

There were usually lectures in the mornings. Each lecture lasted three hours, so two lectures a day was a good workload. And for the afternoons, I discovered working in the café. In the evenings, we often met up with friends and had dinner or games evenings. Going out partying is incredibly expensive in Montreal, admission costs 40-50 dollars, so you have to think about it. We also did a lot of sport during the week. There is a large sports campus where we went running or swimming. On Thursdays or Fridays, we often rented a car and drove into the countryside or to Québec City or Toronto for the weekend. On Sundays, there was a small techno festival in the park every week, so we went there a lot.

Why would you recommend others to do a semester abroad outside of Europe?

I think that no matter where you spend your semester abroad, it will be an unforgettable time. Outside of Europe, you often experience a completely different culture. That wasn't the case in Canada, but I did experience it with friends in Mexico. You also have a healthy distance from your circle of friends and from home, simply because of the time difference. Your own independence takes on a whole new dimension. I think Canada is a great country because the people are very friendly and I find the bilingualism very exciting, for example when English and French are spoken and simultaneously translated in parliament. And the nature is also super impressive: 15 minutes outside of Montreal you have the most amazing starry sky... and you can see bears or waterfalls!

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

For one thing, we were a bit "surprised" when we went to a supermarket for the first time and saw camembert for 15 dollars or toast for 8 dollars. We wondered what we should eat for the time being. But we also found much cheaper stores later on. Apart from that, I was totally blown away by the culture: Montreal is full of art and music festivals in the summer. There's something different going on every day and it's all free.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Québec?

Simply the people from the semester abroad! Everyone goes there for six months - completely torn out of their lives - and you experience a new start there and spend an incredible amount of time together. I'm still in contact, but we see each other 4-5 times a year now and not every week like we did there.

Frieder Bönisch - Physics - Embu

I'm Frieder, I'm studying for my Bachelor's degree in Physics and I spent my 5th semester abroad in Kenya, more precisely in Embu, a city with about 65,000 inhabitants near Nairobi. I organized the semester abroad myself, as there was no suitable partnership with TUD at the time.

How did you decide to go to Kenya for a semester abroad?

I wanted to go to Africa after completing my Abitur, but a few things got in the way. That's why I thought I could try it out during my studies. It was a coincidence that I ended up in Kenya. I wrote to a few universities and it worked out in Embu.

How did the organization of the semester abroad as a free mover (going abroad without an exchange program) work?

I had to find the universities myself and write to them, and I researched the TUD Infocenter in the International Office for contacts who had already been there. There had been two TUD students in Embu before who were able to help me and put me in touch with a nice member of staff at Embu University. The tuition fees were no problem, I paid EUR 150, for free movers it's EUR 700, so not much more than the semester fee in Dresden. I was able to live in a student residence right on campus. The contact from the university also helped me with this.

How did you like university life in Embu and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

I really liked the fact that everything was on campus: the canteen, the halls of residence, the lecture halls, the sports facilities. In other words, people always met up there and I got to know people very quickly. Similar to Germany, there are lectures, fewer tutorials and final exams at the end. Because I studied physics, I also had a few internships, but with somewhat simpler facilities than in Dresden. University life took place entirely on campus; there were lots of sports activities, singing, music-making and even chess. I was actually the only exchange student there, but I found it super easy to socialize with the locals, which was almost more relaxed than in Dresden. The people were super friendly and open and could also speak English quite well, as English is taught at school there. However, people also often talk to each other in Kiswahili (the most widely spoken language in East Africa), so I was able to join in a bit at the end after practicing on Duolingo.

And what did a typical week look like for you in Kenya?

After getting up, I always had breakfast in the canteen because you weren't allowed to eat in your room. Then I had my lectures. If they were canceled, the lecturers always communicated this on WhatsApp, which was quite funny. I often played netball in the afternoons, we were training for a tournament at the end of the semester. At the weekend, the Kenyans usually chilled and I sometimes joined them, but I also often explored the area by bus and went into town to Embu. The buses were called matatus and were like minibuses. If you wanted a ride, you could stand right next to the road and the bus would stop and give you a lift. I also joined the Mountain Club of Kenya and often went hiking or climbing with them, for example on nearby Mount Kenya. And I worked in a kitchen for street children and cooked lunch there.

Why would you recommend others to spend a semester abroad in Africa?

Well, for the experience! But I think you can say that about anywhere. They were really great people and I experienced a completely different lifestyle, which taught me to be a bit more relaxed and positive in life and not to get so upset about small things. And I noticed how much personal contact is valued there. Apart from that, the nature is fantastic - there are elephants, rhinos, giraffes etc. in Kenya. And the culture, for example in terms of food or religion, is also very interesting.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

I was totally surprised at how enthusiastic the Kenyans were about soccer, especially Manchester United. At Manchester matches, there were around 200 people sitting in front of the one TV on campus. And when a goal was scored, you couldn't talk anymore, that's how much the Kenyans were fans *laughs*.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Kenya?

I met a very good friend, I would like to see him again. Apart from that, the attitude to life: the serenity of the people and how easy and uncomplicated things are done.

Elisabeth Dreisse - Art History - Leiden

© Felix Meyerhoff

My name is Elisabeth and I studied Art History in Leiden during my 4th semester. It was very exciting and of course a big change. It was my first time abroad and I really enjoyed it. I studied there in English. As the Dutch all speak great English, there are actually no language barriers. I met people from all over the world there and am still in contact with many of them today. The semester there was definitely more relaxed than a semester here at TU Dresden.

Why did you want to go abroad?

I was finally ready and felt like it. It also made sense because I'm specializing in Dutch art in my degree course. So it was worth it to see it all in real life and soak up the whole atmosphere of the cities.

Were you able to speak a little Dutch?

Well, I quickly learned a few phrases. I also took a language course online, but it didn't help me that much. But it's true that Dutch people immediately switch to English when they realize that you don't speak Dutch. But I always made sure to say at least "hello," "thank you," etc. in Dutch.

Why did you go to Leiden?

It was the city offered by my faculty. I didn't know the city beforehand and saw it for the first time when I arrived there at the start of the semester. When I got there, it was really love at first sight. The city is very small and really cute. It's full of students and like it's own small bubble. You're a bit in your own world there, but that's nice too. After a while, you actually know almost everyone and have found your own corners where you feel totally at home.

What was the university like there and what courses did you take?

I was there at the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science and took courses in art history, English literature and an introductory course on the Netherlands. As there were only four courses a week, I had a very relaxed time. We were very well received by the ERASMUS office on site. They helped us with everything and my semester there went absolutely smoothly. I was able to get credit for three of the four courses in Dresden.

What was your life like outside the university?

We had an introductory week right at the beginning, during which we had a full program. We were out and about on campus and in the city and of course also partied together. In this group, we naturally grew together a bit and also came from different degree programs. I was much more relaxed in Leiden and of course had a little less to do. That's why I was able to travel around the Netherlands with friends and also go to Belgium. I always find that too difficult during the semester in Germany. I was away almost every evening and always for a really long time. *laughs* That may sound like an advertising campaign for ERASMUS, but really was great! I didn't miss Dresden at all and really enjoyed being far away from everything. Especially in my last week abroad, it was hard to get ready for Germany again. The experience was more like a dream. You were so relaxed in your own bubble. I would definitely do it again. I still miss the openness and positive nature of the Dutch people.

How did you live there?

Finding an apartment was really difficult. I would recommend anyone going to the Netherlands to start early. Of all my preparations, that was the most stressful. They have a huge housing shortage there. You can search quite well via Facebook. I then met two girls by chance. A Spanish girl and a Portuguese girl who wanted to rent an apartment and were looking for a third flatmate. I ended up living relatively centrally by the harbor. But in Leiden, the distances are a maximum of 15 minutes anyway. I really felt at home there. Living together was good and I will probably even visit one of them next summer.

What did you gain from your stay abroad?

I learned to approach new people more quickly and openly. It gave me a lot more strength. When I left school, I would never have thought that I would go abroad on my own for six months. Above all, it gave me the confirmation that I can do it. That I am also perfectly capable of living somewhere else. You are so much freer there than at home. In general, an exchange like this can make the big world a bit smaller. You can really cast a net over the world and get to know all kinds of people. It also automatically breaks down prejudices.

Cedric-Jens Kehling - Biotechnology - Wrocław

© Kristina Papajewski

I'm Cedric-Jens Kehling, I'm studying Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. I studied my 5th semester at the University of Wrocław in Poland.

How did you decide to go to to Poland on Erasmus?

At first I actually wanted to go to Norway, but there was only one place and it was quickly taken. That's why I had to look for an alternative, but I wanted to do Erasmus because it's uncomplicated and there's always funding. Some of my fellow students wanted to go to Western Europe, e.g. France or Portugal. But I didn't want to go to a popular country where I would be surrounded by Germans. That's why I started looking in Eastern Europe and came up with Poland, because I didn't know much about the culture at the time and hadn't been there yet.

Did you manage the organization of your semester abroad and the search for accommodation well?

I was able to organize everything via Mobility Online, so everything was pretty straightforward. Of course, you should make sure that you know where you want to go a year in advance so that you have enough time to get and submit all the documents, but with a checklist it worked out well. When you applied for a place in a hall of residence, you were forwarded directly by the university and got a place. The halls of residence were also very central in the city, but a bit spartan and old, I have to admit *laughs*. But you had everything you needed there.

How did you like university life in Wrocław and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

That wasn't a problem at all, because Wrocław is a real student city and there were also many Erasmus students here. You immediately make friends in the international community, and my American flatmate immediately offered to introduce me to other Erasmus students he already knew. You also quickly got to know people in the hall of residence. Unlike in Dresden, there was no main campus at the university there, so all the university buildings were spread around the city, but I was lucky that I never had to go very far to get there. It's also quite easy to get anywhere by tram, bus or train and it's very cheap. There were a few Polish courses at the university, firstly the two-week preparatory course, where you learn all the basics, and then one during the whole semester. I was able to get credit for these in Dresden at the end, as well as my biology courses.

And what was a typical week like for you in Wrocław?

As I'm studying something scientific, of course I often had to do lab practicals. So my weeks were a bit fuller and I had to get up quite early. I also had my lectures every week and my Polish course twice in the evening. Apart from that, I often went running and cooked dinner with my flatmates. I also often went on weekend trips with them, for example to the "pink castle" Zamek Książ. Trains are also incredibly cheap in Poland because you get a 50% discount as a student. You can easily travel to Warsaw or Kraków for a weekend.

Why would you recommend a semester abroad with Erasmus to others?

I think it's not necessarily about academics, but about making contacts and getting to know people from other countries. My two flatmates from Belgium and the USA are now two of my best friends. We still write to each other every day and I still visit them after my semester abroad. I also know a few other people from all over Europe who I write to from time to time. Destinations in Eastern Europe may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Even if it doesn't sound as glamorous as the south of France, for example, Poland is really worth it! Warsaw is a metropolis like Berlin with a huge skyline and a very international flair, or Kraków with its medieval market or Gdańsk on the Baltic Sea - these are real tourist highlights. And the Poles are very open and hospitable, especially if you learn Polish and want to learn something about their culture.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

On Thanksgiving, my American roommate couldn't fly home and was a bit sad. That's why we thought we'd have a kind of "international Thanksgiving." We set up tables in my room and everyone cooked something from their own country, we made a buffet out of it and we all said what we were thankful for. So it was like a real Thanksgiving, which was nice.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Wrocław?

Hmm, I think what I miss most is that everything was quite uncomplicated there and that you had a real student life, especially with my flatmates and everyone else from the same floor, who you always saw in the kitchen and often chatted to. And I really miss the trips with my flatmates, we had some really funny stories together.

Marius Schmidinger - History/Politics - Lisbon

© Felix Meyerhoff

I'm Marius, 22, and I study History, Politics and Humanities here at TU Dresden. I spent my 5th and 6th semester in Lisbon. At first, I applied for one semester abroad and then I really liked Lisbon, so I extended my stay by one semester without any problems and was there for a year in total. The course was different to here in Dresden. It was structured differently overall and I had different courses. But I was still able to get credit for everything in Dresden.

Why did you want to go abroad?

I find it exciting to visit other countries, meet new people and learn a new language. Portugal is not far away, but there is still a noticeable difference to life in Germany. It was really exciting to experience that. I just realized that one semester is not enough. It's better to go away for a whole year, as you can immerse yourself much more deeply in the culture. You can take much more time to discover the city.

Why Lisbon?

That was a completely spontaneous decision. I spent more time deciding where I didn't want to go. Portugal was the right decision!

How good was your Portuguese?

I had two language courses in Dresden, which were good. The only problem was that both classes taught the Brazilian dialect. When I spoke Portuguese the way I learned it, I wasn't always understood. I then also took another course in Lisbon. But the fact that English was always easy to get by with meant that my motivation wasn't always the greatest. But if you wanted to speak to older locals, you needed Portuguese.

What was university like?

I mainly took history courses. I took a total of four courses in my first semester there and in the second semester I was completely free to choose what I wanted. The most exciting course I had was a course on film history. The topic was the representation of cities in film. It started with Metropolis, then the 50s, 60s, film noir, the 80s, 90s, and the last film we analyzed was Lost in Translation. I found it exciting because it's something that doesn't exist in Dresden and doesn't sound academic at first, but it is. There were some limited courses in English. The majority of classes were in Portuguese.

Where did you live in Lisbon?

There were online forums where you could book a room immediately without having to view it. I didn't do that personally. And I heard both good and bad things from others. It wasn't easy to find a room. At the beginning, the language barrier is still quite present and you don't really dare to speak. But in the end, everyone found a room. I myself found a shared flat with two Italians in the center of Lisbon. That was a lot of fun!

How quickly did you make friends?

The first people I met were also ERASMUS people at my university. I didn't really take part in the ERASMUS network events. I did get a card at the beginning because I thought that everyone had to join in order to participate in ERASMUS life, but then I realized that it wasn't like that at all. I also got to know some Portuguese people at university. But it was also simply the case that it was much easier to get in touch with other ERASMUS students. You're in the same stage of life. The Portuguese students have their regular friends, their families and perhaps a part-time job. While they have a relatively fixed schedule, you have much more freedom as an ERASMUS student.

What advice would you give to someone who is still hesitating about going abroad?

Any fear is unfounded. Of course you can be a bit shy at times, but even then you don't have to be afraid of the new. All the people I met in Lisbon were incredibly nice and open. Of course you won't get on with everyone. But that's completely normal.

What did you gain from your stay abroad?

I have developed a lot personally. In retrospect, I feel much more stable in my point of view and my opinion. I definitely got to know myself more in Lisbon than I could have here in Dresden. You meet people from all over the world and find yourself in the process.

What does ERASMUS do for Europe?

ERASMUS does a lot. You are in a kind of ERASMUS bubble and have contact with all nationalities. I now have good friends in Italy, France and Spain. I would say that these are friendships for life and I look forward to seeing them again. It's like the embodiment of the European ideal. I would love to go abroad again straight away!

Linus Kölsch - Transport Engineering - Žilina

© Linus Kölsch

I'm Linus, 25 years old and I'm studying Transport Engineering. I did my Erasmus semester last summer, in the 10th semester.

How did you decide to go to Slovakia on Erasmus?

I had actually applied for another city first, namely Delft. Everything was practically already organized before a problem with the Learning Agreement arose and I received a rejection from TU Delft. But I really wanted to go abroad and looked to see what other interesting places there were, and then I came across Slovakia. I had hardly heard of the country and had never been there before, so I thought I'd just go for it. It was a really spontaneous idea and luckily there were still a few places available.

Did you have a good time organizing your semester abroad and finding accommodation?

I didn't get that much support from my coordinator at the faculty, but the process was generally pretty simple, even in Slovakia: I applied via Mobility Online and only had to fill out a Word document with some data at the university in Žilina and needed proof of English; so I didn't need to fill out a whole second application.

Accommodation in Žilina is arranged through the university. There are over 2,000 places in halls of residence there, and as an Erasmus student you are automatically allocated a place. However, the halls of residence are all a bit older and you usually share a room with two or three other students. But if you're lucky, you can also apply for a single room, which is what happened to me. All in all, the process is really easy.

How did you like university life in Žilina and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

Žilina has a great ESN team, they also have a buddy program where you are assigned someone who helps you through all the processes at the beginning, for example with the university card, discounts on the train or the accommodation contract. Hardly anyone at the official offices speaks English, often only Slovakian, so the buddies are really helpful. However, the university was not so well prepared for Erasmus, as there were almost no courses in English. I therefore had to make individual arrangements with the professors regarding examinations. Some had weekly meetings and I had to write a paper at the end, while other lecturers did their courses in hybrid (English/Slovak). And then there was a Slovakian course that I attended quite "normally."

And what did a typical week look like for you in Žilina?

I had my courses and meetings with the professors every week. Because the campus was set up like a small town, we often went to training in the morning and to the canteen at lunchtime. Towards the end of the week we often went partying and at the weekend we usually traveled somewhere, either by bus and train or sometimes by plane from Vienna. It took 2 hours to get there from Žilina and Vienna Airport is like the gateway to Eastern Europe.

Why would you recommend a semester abroad with Erasmus to others?

I think Erasmus broadens your horizons and I have noticed that it has changed me personally. You make a lot of new contacts, you get a different perspective away from four years of student life in Dresden. Linguistically, of course, it was great because you had another opportunity to learn a new language and in Slovakia you're kind of forced into it *laughs*. I think it does an incredible amount to you when you live somewhere else for six months and build your new life there. And I would definitely recommend Slovakia, because it's a real insider tip. Slovakia is very centrally located in Europe and is very cheap: you pay around €90 a month for a room in a hall of residence and food is also a bit cheaper. There's also a lot to do: Skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and even if you don't want to stay in Slovakia, you can travel anywhere, for example to Poland or even further east. The people in Slovakia are very nice, even if they are sometimes shy at first. In general, the atmosphere was very informal, even among the Erasmus students. There were only 50 of us, which is a small number compared to other cities, so we got to know each other quickly.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

That many young people, apart from at ESN, speak very little English. I was standing in the cafeteria relatively early on and everything that was available to eat was written on chalkboards in Slovakian. I asked someone who was standing in front of me in the queue: "Hey, could you help me?" She turned around and said "I don't speak English." I found that a bit shocking. On the other hand, a lot of people speak fluent German, which surprised me in a very positive way. I was often approached when someone heard that I was from somewhere else and many people wanted to practise German with me.

What would you have liked to take with you from Žilina to Dresden?

I would say that living together: all the Erasmus people were on the same floor or together in shared flats and you were very carefree there, like in a bubble, and far away from your thesis, work and so on *laughs*. In Slovakia there's not as much time pressure as in Germany and everything is a bit more relaxed and less serious.

Simon Mackeprang - Business Administration and Economics - Bratislava

© Kristina Papajewski

My name is Simon Mackeprang. I study Business Administration and Economics and spent my Erasmus semester in Slovakia, specifically in the capital Bratislava, in the 5th semester. It was a very exciting experience for me because it's a city that many people don't have on their radar at first glance. But I am all the happier that I went there.

How did you come up with the idea of going to Slovakia with Erasmus?

I first came into contact with Bratislava through a friend who had done a voluntary social year there. When looking through the partner universities, I then looked at the study programs and I was interested in many of the subjects on offer in Bratislava and many courses were offered in English, which is not a given. But the most important thing for me was the aspect of experiencing something new. Many cities in the south, such as Lisbon or Rome, are popular vacation destinations, while Bratislava is a city you don't usually get to. I thought that the Erasmus semester would be a great option for this. And that turned out to be the case in the end.

Did you cope well with the organization of your semester abroad and the search for accommodation?

At the beginning, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the documents that were required. However, if you proceed systematically, you can cope well and shouldn't be put off. You were given a lot of information on site during the introductory days and you always had a contact person who answered your questions very quickly. In terms of accommodation, I was lucky enough to find an Italian relatively early on in an ESN WhatsApp group who offered me a place in his shared flat.

How did you like university life in Bratislava and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

I really liked the fact that you had very small classes in Bratislava and therefore very close contacts with other students and the professors. This was different to what I had experienced in Dresden and it was a nice change. We did a lot of group work and projects, which was also very interesting and we learned things that we might not have learned otherwise. For example, there was a course that focused on learning diplomatic skills. Every week, a different diplomat, e.g. the Indonesian or Israeli diplomat, came to the university and gave a lecture and we were able to discuss things with them.

The ESN network made a lot of effort, especially at the beginning, so it was easy to get to know people. Many events and university sports courses were also offered during the semester. There were lots of opportunities to have a good student life.

And what was a typical week like for you in Bratislava?

I don't think there is such a thing as a typical week because there were so many spontaneous experiences and short trips. But I was usually at university in the mornings, where attendance was usually compulsory. That sounds a bit daunting at first, but it's actually an advantage because you get to know people in small groups and I also enjoyed going to university. In the afternoons, I often cooked and went to sports, for example to my volleyball class or to the gym with my Italian flatmate. In the evenings, I often met up with other Erasmus students to go to a bar or plan the next short trip at the weekend. We did this very regularly and this is also a great advantage of Bratislava. The geographical location offers the opportunity to take trips to Vienna, Ljubljana or Budapest

Why would you recommend a semester abroad with Erasmus to others?

Because you get exciting experiences that you wouldn't otherwise have in your student life in Dresden. I think it's a mixture of a change of perspective and a new place with a different culture and interesting people. And the city of Bratislava is super nice: it's very young and dynamic and there are more Erasmus students than you might think at first glance. It's easy to find your way around, because Bratislava is about the same size as Dresden and has great opportunities to go out into the Slovakian countryside or to neighboring cities. And all this together with a good university where it was fun to study. That was a good combination.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that particularly stuck in your mind?

One Friday morning, a good Italian friend asked me if I would like to go to Budapest with his group. 3 hours later, we were already on the bus and off we went. It was a great decision to do it so spontaneously and to get to know new people that I wouldn't otherwise have gone with.

What would you have liked to take back to Dresden from Bratislava?

The opportunity to constantly meet new people from different countries, which is incredibly interesting and of course also offers the chance to build friendships that you can keep for the long term. You don't often meet Greeks, Italians or Canadians in everyday life. I learned to appreciate that very much in Slovakia, but that actually applies to every country. And especially from Bratislava... the extremely nice and relaxed student atmosphere in the old town and in Slovakia in general.

Alexander Thies - Transport Engineering - Istanbul

© Kristina Papajewski

I am Alexander Thies, 24 years old and I am studying Transport Engineering. I went to Turkey with Erasmus in the 7th and 8th semester.

How did you decide to go to Turkey on Erasmus?

Firstly, I wanted to go to a country where it was a bit cheaper and where I could learn a new language. Hungary and Turkey were on my shortlist. In the end, I decided on Istanbul, partly because of the weather and partly because of the Turkish culture, which you also come into contact with again and again in Germany.

Did you have a good time organizing your semester abroad and finding accommodation?

You needed a lot of documents, e.g. a language certificate, you have to be well organized and pay attention to the deadlines, but in the end everything worked out. You have various options when looking for accommodation. For example, you can search for a shared flat on Facebook, like I did, and I quickly found what I was looking for. You can now also look for apartments through the university, but the standard of accommodation in public halls of residence is rather low. But you can also afford a private room in a shared flat in Istanbul.

How did you like university life in Istanbul and were you able to make friends quickly in the new city?

You make friends quickly because the Turkish people are very open and will even approach you. You won't have any problems, even if you're more introverted. University life is different than in Germany: you could do a lot on the large campus, like sports or go swimming in the pool, that's where life happens. Unfortunately, I wasn't there that often because it rained a lot in winter and in summer, due to the earthquake in Turkey, there was almost only online teaching, so unfortunately I was on campus less. My courses were in English, but the level of English was often a bit mixed. But it was still possible and the teachers were very helpful and often approached me personally to ask if I had any questions. And when the course was in Turkish, I at least had the opportunity to learn some Turkish *laughs*. I think Turkish is also a language that is not that difficult to learn.

And what was a typical week like for you in Istanbul?

Hmm, I'll describe a week from the second semester: I had quite a lot of online courses, which were mostly at lunchtime, so my day started off relaxed. On Mondays, I was always on campus for a course in the morning. In the afternoons or evenings, I met up with friends a lot. For example, we often went climbing or went to the bars in the neighborhood. At the weekend, we explored the city, went to the seaside or to the Bosphorus. Istanbul is a huge city with frequent traffic jams, so it can easily take two hours to get to a more distant district, for example from the European to the Asian side of the city. We had enough time for that at the weekend. It's definitely not boring in Istanbul!

Why would you recommend a semester abroad with Erasmus to others?

There are many reasons! First of all, you get money for it and don't have to finance your stay yourself. You get the chance to see how students study in another country and how the education system works. During an Erasmus semester, it's very easy to get to know people, both in the courses and through the Erasmus organizations. I don't think you'll ever have the opportunity to go abroad so easily on a temporary basis and have the time to experience so much again. The time was also very character-building for me, because it was the first time I had been abroad for so long on my own, flying alone, etc.

Was there a funny or surprising experience that has stuck in your mind in particular?

I often took the bus, and when I got on you always had to validate your ticket on a machine with the bus driver. I got on once and this time the bus driver had simply brought his daughter with him, who then sat on top of the machine and chatted to her father. I found that very refreshing, because it didn't bother anyone and people thought it was rather cute that the bus driver was "spending time" with his daughter. I often got a bit of a "culture shock." Waking up at 4 a.m. to the sound of the muezzin, or when we were in the city center on Fridays. It was often impossible to get through because the Muslims had spread their carpets all over the pedestrian zone to pray to Mecca.

What would you like to have brought back to Dresden from Turkey?

Perhaps the lightness and 'living for the day.' The people are also generally more relaxed in terms of mentality, which I really liked.

Till Uebelacker - Communication Sciences - Izmir

© Felix Meyerhoff

My name is Till Uebelacker and I spend the 6th semester of my studies in Turkey. I'm studying Political Science and Communication Studies. I studied International Relations and Communication Studies at the University of Izmir through the Institute of Communication Studies at TU Dresden.

Why did you want to go abroad?

I really wanted to go abroad and I also really wanted to go to a sunny country again. *laughs* I also wanted to add variety to my everyday life as a student, make new contacts, learn a new language and study in English. I'm also very interested in the German-Turkish relationship.

And why Izmir in particular?

Izmir was one of the cities where you could study in English. After Istanbul and Ankara, Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a cultural center. The Greek islands are also not far away, making Izmir an absolute vacation paradise. There are many universities in Izmir and the range of courses on offer is really diverse.

What was the university in Izmir like?

The teaching is a bit more school-based. Nevertheless, there is plenty of room for discussion in seminars. The students were all a bit younger than me, but because there were also a lot of ERASMUS students, that wasn't a problem at all. Almost all of the lecturers had studied abroad and were able to teach at a high level of English. Campus life is very different to here at TU Dresden. It's much livelier! Every faculty has a large common area with its own canteens and plenty of opportunities to spend time between classes. Food or cay is actually sold everywhere. So you can quickly get into conversation with fellow students.

What was your life like outside of university and how did you live?

It's very easy to get settled in Izmir. People in Turkey say that the people in Izmir are the most open-minded in the whole country. Izmir is also a very European city. It was no problem at all to find an apartment via the ERASMUS network at the university or via Facebook groups. I lived with two Turks who came to Izmir from Istanbul to study. They both moved because they found life in Izmir more pleasant compared to life in the huge metropolis of Istanbul. Thanks to the ERASMUS network, all foreign students quickly came into contact with each other. After a short time, there were already many opportunities to go on excursions together in large groups. There is a lot to see and experience, especially in the area around Izmir.

Did you feel comfortable during your time in Turkey?

Yes, I did! It was no problem at all to make friends, especially at university. And even if you don't always get on with English, you are never lost. The people were all very helpful. Before my semester abroad, I had already started learning Turkish here in Dresden at the TUDIAS Language Center. In Turkey, I learned a bit more, especially from my flatmates and some German-Turks. You don't necessarily need to know Turkish, but it is of course very helpful even at a low level.

What did you gain from your semester abroad?

I think it helps a lot to live abroad, especially if you are studying humanities and social sciences. Understanding a different political system or social processes on site is incredibly beneficial to your own understanding. Just looking at the local media or listening to students discussing issues gives you a much deeper insight into another country than from afar. You take part in the social life of the host country for a short time and get to know the culture at first hand.

Did you feel like you were missing out on anything in Dresden during your stay abroad?

No, not at all. I was completely absorbed and fascinated by my stay abroad. At the same time, many of my fellow students were also abroad. Flights to Turkey are not expensive, you can have visitors and you are not out of the world. The five months abroad fly by.

Were you able to get credit for your courses without any problems?

My exchange went through the communication science faculties. It has to be said that the Institute of Media and Communication in Izmir is very practically oriented. So it's very different to here in Dresden. They have their own radio station with a studio and computer, as well as all kinds of software for image, sound and video editing. You can also do a lot of self-taught work there. I was able to get credit for both political science and communication science courses at the TU. In Izmir, I took courses on German-Turkish relations and peace and conflict research in the field of international relations, both of which were recognized in Dresden.