On going abroad

SHOULD I DO AN EXCHANGE SEMESTER?

This will be a bit of a broader-speaking post – basing exchange semesters ONLY on VFX fields would make for a rather short post. But the topic has surfaced very often while I tutored exchange students, and let’s face it – the doubts and insecurities going through your mind while you try to decide on an exchange program are pretty much the same as was looking for the place you’re currently studying in.

"BROADEN YOUR MINDS!"

Spending some time at another university or campus can help you put things into perspective. I learned that attending club meetings on a weekly basis vastly improved my social skills. I met so many people that I couldn’t even put in the trusted categories I had been brought up on that changed my view on the world around me forever. The boxes and barriers in my head had been shattered for good, and in the times we live in, that openness becomes a rare treat employers will be glad to find on your resume.

DEALING WITH CULTURE SHOCK

One thing to note is that here in Germany, we don’t have that sort of exchange. Our education system is mostly free and only provides the most basic services needed for you to get your degree. It’s geared towards efficiency, not socializing. Extracurricular activities on campus are largely regarded a waste of time and resources.

So, if you come to Germany from another country in our outside the EU, brace yourself for a few surprises you wouldn’t have expected.

Please don’t take this the wrong way – I’m not here to discourage you from studying abroad, but, as far as Germany goes, I don’t want to pull wool over people’s eyes by saying that everything here is gonna be “grand fer sure” here, just because we can build decent cars. If you do decide to take the leap to this country (still, more power to ya!), here are a few survival tips for surviving your first few months here.

Just keep in mind that Erasmus and other programs don’t mean the same everywhere you go, depending on how well your home uni has been equipped and organized – you might end up with a similar experience to this Finnish exchange student doing a Masters degree in Cologne.