Gregorio from Argentina
Gregorio from Argentina has been in Dresden for one and half months now. He is an exchange student in civil engineering. Despite learning German within the DAAD programme he is participating in and at TU Dresden, he preferred to conduct the interview in English because he's still not happy with his vocabulary.
- What do you like about the TU Dresden?
I'm impressed with the library, the size of the library and the sheer quantity of books here. However, it is comfortable as well and it's a nice place to study. Furthermore, I like the faculties, the buildings here. I have four different subjects in four different places, so I'm just moving around all the time by my bike.
- Since when have you been in Dresden?
One month and a half. I arrived with a DAAD scholarship in September (2018) and my scholarship included one month of German courses. It was very nice. I met a lot of people there, and the teacher was very nice as well. We had meals together and the atmosphere was very friendly. Therefore, the first month was very nice and the weather was still warm and sunny. We just rode our bikes with all the friends from the course. I saw beautiful places here in the city.
- Do you already have a favourite place in Dresden?
I think I love Großer Garten. However, I like Pirna and Moritzburg Castle as well and Saxon Switzerland, of course. I went there by bike with my friends. We had a very nice time. I really like to ride the bike as you probably noticed by now. The first thing I did when I arrived was to buy a bike at the flea market. I go there every Saturday, just to see some curious things and objects.
- What did you find most difficult, when you arrived?
I don't really remember any difficulties. I have always had a nice time meeting new people and learning German. Before I arrived I couldn't study much German, just enough for the scholarship, I learned a lot here, but I still need more vocabulary.
- What is the biggest difference between Germany and Argentina?
I couldn’t really compare those realities. I study in Mendoza in Argentina and the size of my faculty is like half of the library here. My university is divided in 29 faculties, which are all in different places all around the country. I know everyone in my faculty. We are just five people in my course, so we are close, we enjoy our time together, we do stuff together on weekends or prepare meals and eat them together, we have a place there in the faculty to have fun or enjoy our meals. We have birthday parties together with the professors. But it is very special to my faculty, not all of them are like this in Argentina.
The culture is very different as well. I'm good at relationships, I think, I could handle this as well. But yes, the cultures are different. Not all Germans are openminded, but I was very lucky to meet friendly and very nice people here in Germany. My flatmate is German and in this one month, he became like my best friend here. We are sharing much time and doing a lot of stuff, I learn German from him and I teach him a little Spanish.
- Any advice for other students living abroad for the first time?
Most important is to be able to do everything and share with the people you meet. People are always helping if you need something, the teachers and other students; everybody wants to help you, if you need it. There is always support if you need it. You should enjoy all the advantages the university is offering, like the sports for example. I do many sports. I'm now doing acrobatics, salsa and tango. I love extra activities, because in those courses you can meet other people. For example the ones that are dancing salsa with me are not engineering students, so I'm able to meet different people. It is very interesting.
(The interview was conducted by Krista Aguilar in the winter semester 2018/19 in English.)