Julius from Spain
Julius is from Spain. He's been living in Dresden for almost seven years now, where he's currently studying mechatronics at TU Dresden.
- What do you like about TU Dresden?
I really think the campus is beautiful and everything can be reached by foot in minutes. The atmosphere with all the other students is really nice. And the university offers a lot of opportunities, e.g. I have done a semester abroard with ERASMUS in Finland which was super interesting and I also got to know different teaching methods that really appealed to me.
- What is your favourite place in Dresden?
There are so many! I'd probably say the Altstadt (Old Town), the riverbanks of the Elbe and the Neustadt. There are truly many beautiful places in Dresden.
- What should international students definitely try out while living in Dresden?
First of all they should check out all the typical stuff, like the Altstadt, the different museums, Saxon Switzerland. And they should definitely try (Mountain) Climbing because there are so many opportunities here to do that. Another thing I'd recommend is "Nachtskaten" (A/N: Nightskating). I am not sure whether that only exists in Dresden but it definitely is very interesting and exciting.
- What was especially difficult when you arrived?
I can't remember having any big difficulties. I arrived, I enrolled and it worked out. The only problem were my first lectures where I encountered some problems because I had to follow the lectures in German including noting down what was said. That was a bit difficult at first.
- Living in Germany what is the biggest difference to your home country?
It's not the weather even though many might think it would be. I am from Galicia in the North of Spain. The weather there is as bad as in Germany. What's different though is the location as I have lived close to the coast in Spain. I could always just go to the beach whereas here the next ocean is pretty far away. Oh, and the food is completely different as well.
- Any advice for other students living abroad for the first time?
Don't be afraid to get in contact with other students. No matter, whether it's German or other international students, don't be afraid to interact with them. Approach them, relax and get in contact!
(The interview was conducted by Krista Aguilar in German in the winter semester 2018/19.)