Enrique from Mexico
Enrique is from Mexico. He's been studying Electrical Engineering at TU Dresden for 7 years.
- What do you like about TU Dresden?
I like the international atmosphere here. Also the vibe at my faculty and with my fellow students was always very nice. Another thing I like about the university is the freedom we have in regard to the planning of our courses. I can choose how to spend my time in lectures much better and more efficiently.
- What's your favourite spot in Dresden?
There are many. Dresden is a very beautiful city. I like the Altstadt (Old Town), Innere Neustadt and Südhöhe best. I got to know the city and its surroundings extremely well during excursions and trips with my friends.
- What should international students definitely try out while living in Dresden?
I'd recommend visiting Moritzburg. And Görlitz is pretty as well; you can even cross the border to Poland there and try out Polish food which was delicious and cheap. There are many beautiful places around here that you can all visit with your semester ticket. Something that's maybe not that well known but really worth a visit is the Lügenmuseum (AN: Museum of Lies) in Radebeul.
- What was especially difficult when you arrived?
Definitely the language, i.e. understanding the dialect here. I'd lived in Düsseldorf and Berlin for a short while before coming here but didn't have problems understanding people there. In Dresden it was a bit more difficult.
Additionally, in the beginning it was also difficult to find new friends; I felt like everybody knew each other already at my faculty. Maybe, because many of them lived in the same student residences and had already got to know each other. I wasn't able to book a room in the student halls because when I received my letter of admission (AN: which is necessary to book a room in the student residences), all places were already taken. I had to find a suitable accommodation on my own.
- Living in Germany what is the biggest difference to your home country?
The damn cold (laughing). But on a more serious note, the feeling of community in the city. In Mexico, we basically greet every person we meet, e.g. the bus driver, the person you sit next to on the bus, etc. Simply everyone. That's not the case here. On the contrary, people might even look away if you sit next to them.
- Any advice for other students living abroad for the first time?
Don't be afraid of the unknown. Stay relaxed and talk to the people. Make use of all the opportunities to get to know the people you meet during your studies or at a party. Don't stay home alone. Go out! That always works.
(This interview was conducted by Krista Aguilar in winter semester 2018/19 in German.)