A semester abroad is more than just a year of study: enjoying the sun, learning the language, making new friends. One in three students goes to another country during their studies, and the trend is rising. But what exactly does a stay abroad actually mean?
Why do you want to do a semester abroad?
It's best to first find out more about the topic at your university. Every university has different partner universities. Information events on the subject of Erasmus etc. often take place, which can give you an overview . It's best to collect as much information as possible! It is also important to ask what you expect from your semester abroad. Depending on what that is, there may be other forms of staying abroad that are more suitable. Is a stay abroad actually a must on your CV? Try to be clear about your motives. Do you want to improve your foreign language skills or immerse yourself in a foreign culture? Do you want to learn from famous lecturers or have the Erasmus party of your life?
Where should I go?
Where you should go depends primarily on what expectations you have for the semester.
Of course, you can organize your semester abroad on your own. To do this, you have to start educating yourself very early and often struggle with challenges. However, it is easier if you go to a partner university. Find out what's on offer from the student advisory service or on your university's website. As a rule, the study achievements achieved at partner universities are recognized here in Germany. If you organize your studies yourself, you should clarify with your examination office beforehand which courses you can have credited and which you cannot.
Attention: Not every university allows you to take courses in English. Therefore, it can be very important to know the local language (at least to some extent). If you are writing exams in the respective language, a level of at least A2, but B1 is better, is recommended. However, the universities usually have their own guidelines. You can request language tests and certificates from the language centers at your university. However, you have to register externally for the major international tests such as TOEFL or Cambridge .
Don't you speak many languages? You would be surprised how far you can get with just one language. Anyone who has learned French is by no means tied to the border triangle. How about the Caribbean? Or would you rather go to Africa? You can find a distribution of the languages spoken worldwide here .
Experience reports and getting along on site
A good way to find out how studying actually works in the respective country is through experience reports . There you will get insider information. What cultural differences are there in the country, what works better and what works worse at other universities? Dos and don'ts are also important. After all, a different country also has a different culture. If you want to avoid making mistakes, you should adapt.
In order to be able to get started straight away and explore the area, it makes sense to play tourist first. Explore your surroundings, ask people for directions. A few helpful apps can help you find good food and convert the currency for you. (So that you only experience the beautiful side of being a tourist.)
How do I finance my studies abroad?
As a rule, the universities cooperate with government organizations and programs, including the DAAD or Erasmus. They not only help organize your exchange, but also offer scholarships.
If you go abroad via Erasmus, you will automatically receive funding. Depending on the cost of living in the respective country, this can be between 300 and 500 euros. BaföG is also paid abroad, and the rate is usually even higher. Otherwise, scholarships are always a good option. If you want to go abroad, you don't necessarily need great grades to be supported.
How expensive a year abroad ultimately becomes depends of course on the country (rental prices, living costs ), but also on any tuition fees at the partner university. You usually also have to pay for your travel yourself.
How do I organize my semester abroad?
In any case, you should start planning early enough. It's best to start getting thorough information a year and a half in advance. Even if you're not sure if you want to go yet, it's important to keep an eye on the deadlines. Here you will find a checklist that gives you an overview of all the important steps.
You can save money on your arrival by booking early enough. Depending on whether a plane, bus or train takes you to your destination, you can take more or less luggage with you. In order to have enough time to settle in before the semester starts, it's important to move a little earlier. Exchange programs often also provide students with places in dormitories. However, in order to learn the language more quickly, many people prefer to live in a shared apartment. So if you don't want to live in a dormitory, you'll have to allow some additional time for looking for an apartment .
Don't forget: In addition to the many things you plan for your stay abroad (visa, vaccination, insurance , looking for accommodation), you shouldn't forget to organize a few things for your absence here.
The world doesn't stop because you're gone.
You should definitely sublet your room so that you don't have to pay double rent. And if you want to know who will be rolling in your bed at night for the next few months, you shouldn't leave the search for your successor to your roommates.
Sometimes it is also worth applying for a semester of leave at your own university if you would have to exceed the standard period of study due to the stay abroad. You can often get credit for work completed abroad and only six of the seven semesters end up being counted.
So much for the simple topics. Now comes the hardest part: saying goodbye. Not seeing your best friends or the person you love for six months is hard. Six months away from home can change a lot. But think about how much you'll have to tell each other afterwards! There is no need to worry that the carrier pigeon will survive the flight from Istanbul to Göttingen. With WhatsApp, Facebook and Skype you can be very close to each other despite what seems like an infinite distance. This is often where it is decided which friendships last - and which ones don't. Good friendships survive something like this. You probably won't mourn the others for long. And a long -distance relationship may seem like torture to those who are newly in love, but with a little effort and creativity you can get through it. Because it's only for a limited time.
Attention: You can find all information about the semester abroad here!
