More and more students want to go abroad for a semester during their studies. However, the reasons for this can be very different and should be taken into account when planning.
- Advance professionally: If your main concern is to delve deeper into your studies, you should take a look at the course catalog when deciding which university to attend. Many important researchers and even Nobel Prize winners teach at renowned universities. Unfortunately, particularly good universities are also particularly popular - and often cost money. Elite universities like Harvard and Cambridge boast famous names, but are unfortunately unaffordable without a scholarship or rich parents.
But even if you are interested in a specific research topic, you will definitely find a university that focuses on your area of interest. So find out thoroughly beforehand about the courses and lecturers on offer. In order to benefit properly from the offers, it is important to have a good command of the language of instruction. A language level of B2 is recommended, but universities usually have their own entry requirements.
PS: It is always welcome to include content-related aspects of your studies in your letter of motivation and is often supported by scholarships.
Alternative: summer schools.
-Party semester: tequila, one-night stands and dorm parties: a semester abroad can look something like this. Exchange students often don't get any grades, they just have to pass. At erasmusconfession.com you can read the craziest stories from your predecessors and gather inspiration for your own “Rampensau story” when you return. But be careful: not all universities have a laissez-faire policy with their exchange students. So if you want to devote yourself to the nightlife, you have to make sure that you don't accidentally enroll in the most demanding university in the country. You can find the best cities for partying at erasmuscity.uniplaces.com
-Adventure: Snorkeling in the Caribbean is also good with Erasmus. The French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique are legally part of France. Not exotic enough? At querdenker-stipendium.de there are offers for special language trips and internships in unusual locations.
-Improve/learn a language: A stay abroad is exactly the right thing to polish up your foreign language skills a bit. At least as long as you don’t just hang out with other exchange students. Go out among people, find a shared apartment with native speakers and be persistent. Many will try to make things easier for you by switching to English during conversation. Stick to the language you want to learn and don't let small mistakes irritate you. You can complete a language course at your university before your semester abroad or practice with tandem partners.
Extra tip: fall in love! (Then the motivation is even greater ;)
-Pimp your CV: A stay abroad is always good on your CV because it proves that you can find your way in new situations. However, many employers also know about Erasmus parties and drinking sessions. That's why it's important that at the next job interview you can clearly explain why you were where you were and what you learned there. A “beer diploma” is not the additional qualification that companies are looking for
Semester abroad: What reasons there are and what role they play in your planning.
