Testimonials

"The only thing I’d do differently is: I wouldn’t just stay for one semester, but for two."
(Franziska N., Durham University, UK, 2015/16)

I’m studying to become a secondary school teacher, specialising in German, History and Social Studies. At first glance, a period abroad doesn’t really seem necessary as part of my degree. Fortunately, however, a lecturer drew my attention to the possibility of spending a semester abroad as part of my German studies. That marked the start of my unforgettable experience abroad at Durham University in England. In general, I would recommend a period abroad to anyone – no matter what combination of subjects you’re studying! Improving your foreign language skills alone is reason enough. You also get the unique opportunity to get to know a new country, a different culture, a different university – and with that, different university procedures – as well as meeting people from various countries and making new friends. It is the friendships I formed there that I still benefit from the most to this day. On top of that, your perspective on your own studies becomes more nuanced, as seminars and lectures are sometimes run differently to those at the University of Regensburg. Research perspectives may also differ from those you’re already familiar with, which in turn opens up a whole new perspective on certain subject areas. Another major advantage is that you can take the courses that genuinely interest you, as you aren’t restricted by pre-set module catalogues. The only drawback is that you cannot have all the credits you earn in England fully recognised at Regensburg, as only as many credits are recognised here as you would have received at Regensburg for the corresponding course, meaning you lose some of the English credits. Overall, however, the Erasmus+ programme makes your semester abroad much easier: as well as financial support, there are information sessions organised specifically for Erasmus students, as well as excursions, parties and so on. So there’s no shortage of things to do in your free time either. What’s more, the International Office at the University of Regensburg is always friendly and helpful. So you always have someone to turn to!

For me, the most important reason for spending a semester abroad is personal development. Before I went to Durham, I always thought that was just an empty cliché that people spouted at information sessions. Now I can say from my own experience that it’s not a cliché: you really do gain a lot of experiences that are generally important for life and go beyond your actual studies. I wouldn’t have missed my time abroad for the world and would do it again in a heartbeat! The only thing I’d do differently is stay for two semesters rather than just one. Take the opportunity to spend a semester abroad! I can’t recommend it highly enough to everyone.

"There’s never a better time to go abroad than whilst you’re at university."
(Sophia M., Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, 2015/16)

I’d always wanted to go abroad, but never had the chance, so I was determined to go whilst I was at university. As I’m studying to become a teacher of German and PE, it wasn’t strictly ‘necessary’ to go abroad, but I still wanted to get far away. That’s why I applied to Marmara University in Istanbul and was accepted. Shortly before I was due to move, however, the political situation in Turkey had deteriorated and I had to move my Erasmus semester to Prague. Actually, I didn’t want to go to Prague because I’d set my sights on Turkey and the Czech Republic just felt too close to home; but then I got on the train after all, travelled four hours to Prague, and it was the best decision ever!

I had an incredible time in Prague, got to know and love the city, and made international friends whom I wouldn’t want to be without. I now have friends in Ireland, Portugal, Finland and so on, whom I can visit and who visit me, and with whom I Skype and still chat about our great Erasmus experience. During those six months in Prague, I grew a great deal, because living in a foreign country and finding your feet there is quite a challenge. But the good thing is that you immediately meet a few other equally bewildered Erasmus students who are just as clueless as you are. You just need to be a bit brave and strike up a conversation with a few people in English, because ultimately all Erasmus students are there on their own and have the same goal as you: to spend a brilliant, exciting, interesting and unforgettable semester in a foreign country. Of course, you mustn’t forget about your studies either. I took courses that I could get recognised, but also simply courses I wanted to have a go at. I really enjoyed studying in Prague, particularly because my main focus wasn’t on getting as many ECTS credits and good marks as possible. I felt very well looked after by the lecturers, and the International Office in Prague and Regensburg were always there to help me.
It was definitely the right decision to go to Prague, and I can only recommend that everyone spend a semester on the Erasmus programme. You’ll never have a better chance to go abroad than whilst you’re at university; it’s never easier to improve your English, learn the local language and make international friends. At first, it does seem a bit daunting to go to a foreign country on your own, but then you come back with so many incredible memories and international friendships that you’ll immediately want to do another Erasmus semester.

“... you feel proud and happy when you’ve managed to face up to your fears and doubts.” (Lilly M., Namib Primary School, Swakopmund, Namibia, 2016)

I’m studying to become a primary school teacher, specialising in German. After my sixth semester, I went to Namibia for half a year to teach German as a foreign language at Namib Primary School in Swakopmund. The catalyst for this placement was a call for applications from the BLLV, and I plucked up the courage to apply because Africa has always interested and appealed to me. I’m very grateful that I had a little nudge from outside, because otherwise I’d probably have kept putting off leaving the family nest and setting off for new horizons.

The incredible wealth of impressions that this country, its culture and its people have to offer took me by surprise at first, but then completely captivated me. I am still fascinated by the overwhelming beauty and diversity of Namibia’s natural landscape; in particular, the endless expanses and the interplay between the desert and the ocean will remain etched in my memory forever. Added to this are the encounters with the people, who gave me an insight into their culture, and, in particular, the work with the children at school. Teaching independently and travelling in Namibia has prepared me for my future career in so many ways, because it allowed me to grow personally and discover skills within myself that the usual work placements during my studies would not have brought to light. I had to step out of my comfort zone and look beyond my own horizons, and in doing so I reconsidered and changed my perspective on many things. Getting to know a new culture and way of life helps you to reflect on and question your own, to grapple with your personal limits and, at times, to push beyond them. My awareness of the privileges we enjoy in Germany has broadened significantly. In particular, I now appreciate even more the unlimited access to clean drinking water, the opportunity to eat a healthy, varied and diverse diet, and free access to a good school education!

As the planning and organisation of the placement were handled by the BLLV (applications should be sent directly to: namibia@studierende.bllv.de), I was also supported by their staff. The Goethe-Institut also played a major role, being on hand locally to answer any questions regarding German language teaching. Through the University of Regensburg, I received a PROMOS scholarship which covered part of my travel costs, and my school in Namibia paid for my accommodation. Otherwise, I financed my stay abroad myself. As I took a semester off, my stay in Namibia did not have a major impact on the number of academic semesters I had completed, and I had my teaching recognised as an additional study-related placement (contact: Dr Rudolf Hitzler).

I would recommend to anyone that they embark on the adventure of ‘going abroad’. It’s important to try and leave your expectations, fears and preconceptions at home, as they can sometimes get in the way and block your view of the little things that are somewhat hidden. A smile on your face makes it so much easier to embrace the new, and you give it the chance to become something wonderful. No one can ever take away that rucksack, filled to the brim with experiences, images, smells, colours and so much more, and you’ll feel proud and happy once you’ve managed to face up to your fears and doubts. I hope I’ve been able to give you that little nudge from the outside to encourage you to go abroad. So: On your marks. Get set. GO!

"A special year like this broadens your horizons"
(Stephanie F., University of Colorado at Boulder, USA, 2017/18)

Alongside my degree in General and Comparative Literature, I have been teaching German as a foreign language for a few years. After I learnt about the exchange programme with the University of Boulder, Colorado, during a seminar, I applied for the position as a teaching assistant. The International Office in Regensburg supported me through all the key stages of the application process, and once I’d been accepted by the partner university in Boulder, the institute there provided further assistance. In August 2017, I finally set off for Colorado. What made this experience special was that I not only gained an insight into academic life as a postgraduate student, but also taught German to American students. The tasks you can expect at CU Boulder, and the responsibilities you bear, are therefore considerable; in return, however, you’re exempt from tuition fees and even receive a monthly allowance to help cover the cost of living in the USA. A special year like this broadens your horizons. You meet new people, encounter different ways of looking at life, travel a lot, become much more open to new experiences and learn to appreciate certain things from home in a new light. Spending half a year or even a whole year abroad offers the full spectrum of emotions – from moments that initially seem almost insurmountable to adventures which, true to the cliché, you’ll still be telling your great-grandchildren about.

"Of course, I realise that this wouldn’t be feasible at a much larger institution in Regensburg, but that’s precisely why it was such a pleasant experience in Finland." (Aaron N., Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland, 2018)

I’m studying German Language and Literature and History, and I spent a semester on the Erasmus programme at Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland. Right from the start of my degree, it was clear to me that I wanted to gain some experience abroad, even if only for a short period. I was pleased to note that the German Studies programme at Regensburg offers a truly wide range of exchange opportunities. The support provided by the International Office in Regensburg and the initiative shown by my lecturer, who kindly advised me on several occasions to seize this opportunity, also made my decision very easy.
I then chose Finland on a gut feeling. I associated Finland with nature, boundless expanses and people whose way of interacting with one another differs greatly from that of Germans, and Bavarians in particular. Shortly after my arrival, I found exactly what I’d hoped for; however, both the natural surroundings – Finland is not called the Land of a Thousand Lakes for nothing – and the University of Turku were even better than I’d expected. I was particularly pleasantly surprised by the relationship between lecturers and students. The number of staff and students at the Department of German Studies at Åbo Akademi is very manageable. A family-like atmosphere developed straight away; almost everyone knew everyone else. This made everyday university life so much easier. If I had a problem with an essay or a piece of homework, I simply had to pop into a lecturer’s office and I’d get help straight away. Most of the time, the office doors were even left open, so you didn’t even have to wait. I realise, of course, that this isn’t feasible in Regensburg, where the department is much larger, but that’s precisely why it was such a pleasant experience in Finland. I also felt that these circumstances made studying and completing coursework much easier. The icing on the cake of my stay was living in Finland. I was given a room of about 17 square metres in a student hall of residence and lived next door to people of all nationalities from across Europe and the whole world. This diversity of cultures, nationalities and languages has greatly changed my personal perspective on various things. I believe that making contacts with people from different countries can only be beneficial for the future. Furthermore, almost everyone spoke English, which definitely helped to improve my vocabulary. I can highly recommend the Erasmus programme – and Finland in particular – to anyone wishing to have memorable experiences abroad.

Finally, I would like to say that the support I received in Regensburg went very smoothly. My Learning Agreement coordinator was my first point of contact for any problems or questions, which she always managed to resolve and answer as quickly as possible; I am truly grateful for this. If I had the chance to turn back time to do something differently, I honestly wouldn’t know what. I am firmly convinced that an experience like this helps everyone move forward in their lives in some way – socially, culturally and academically. My time in Finland, which I wouldn’t want to have missed for the world, will remain in my thoughts forever.