Study abroad: The complete Bachelor abroad
It sounds like a dream: studying abroad, not just for a few months, but for the entire duration of your bachelor's degree. Nowadays, this dream can be put into practice quite easily: studying abroad is fun, looks good on your CV and is absolutely not impossible. Where you end up is entirely up to you. However, neighboring countries such as the Netherlands are still attractive destinations for you as a German student. France and Italy also have target universities that are particularly suitable for a bachelor's degree abroad. This gives you the typical study-abroad feeling, but you don't necessarily have to travel to the other end of the world. Although Australia, America, Canada or other destinations are very attractive, completing a complete course of study on the other side of the world still involves a significant amount of additional effort. And Mom would certainly be sad if her desired university destination was more than a few hours' flight away.
Bachelor abroad: Financing
A very important topic that you should first take a closer look at is financing abroad. There are numerous financing options that you can rely on if you want to study abroad. If you can finance everything from your own pocket or through private sponsors from your family or friends - great! However, this is rather the exception to the rule, as a complete study abroad can be very expensive depending on the destination country and university. A more general, simpler and more common solution is therefore to receive BAföG, or more precisely, Auslands-BAföG. According to the law, training at universities and other institutions within the EU or Switzerland can be funded for a minimum period of two years from the start of the study abroad until the completion of the degree acquired abroad. The amount of the respective grant depends on individual factors. You can find these on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research . Only when everything financially has been taken care of can you continue planning your studies abroad.
Study abroad: These European universities are particularly popular
Some universities are more well-known, others less so, where it is possible to complete a bachelor's degree abroad. At the forefront: The Netherlands and Italy. Here we introduce you to three universities that attract many students to complete their bachelor's degree there.
Maastricht
This popular university is located in the Netherlands and is home to around 15,000 students. This is not a private university, but a public one - which means that the tuition fees are also kept within limits and allow the general public to take part in the various study programs of the renowned university. This university is still very young: only founded in 1976, it is one of the youngest universities in the Netherlands. Of the 15,000 students who gain new knowledge at this university, almost 50% are foreign - an indication of the popularity of studying abroad. The language of instruction is, of course, English. This means that you not only take part in an interactive, intercultural study program, but also brush up on your English skills at the same time. And not a little: Since you will also be writing all exams, oral presentations and seminar papers in English, you will definitely be among the professionals after your studies abroad. And Dutch? It's best if you learn along while you're at it.
Bolzano
The University of Bolzano is also characterized by a high level of internationalization and a comprehensive study program. The teaching languages are German, English and Italian - so you have the opportunity to become almost fluent in three important languages and incorporate them into your university and other everyday life. “Trilingualism and intercultural” is also the motto of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, which, as of May 2013, helps around 3,500 students gain new knowledge. This university is also one of the youngest of its kind: it has only been inviting people to boast about their knowledge in the attractive Italian South Tyrol since 1997. It is clear that Bolzano and its university are also among the most popular destinations for studying abroad. On the application, ready, go!
Utrecht
This university is also located in the Netherlands and is the best Dutch university according to the Shanghai Ranking of World Universities 2013. The 30,000 students who study hard at university are well prepared for life after their studies and can look forward to great jobs. Like the two universities already presented, the University of Utrecht is characterized by its intercultural environment and the multilingual nature of its teaching. Unlike Bolzano and Maastricht, however, this university has been around for several years: founded in 1636, it is one of the oldest Dutch universities. A long time during which the university was able to prove its capabilities and became thoroughly established - both among "domestic" students and among foreign advocates who - like you - would like to study abroad. Utrecht University also performs brilliantly internationally: in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015, it is ranked 56th worldwide. Bright prospects for everyone who wants to study abroad!
Multilingualism and other advantages of studying abroad
All universities have some things in common: the lessons are multilingual, so you can brush up on your English and other language skills, the working environment is intercultural and you have the opportunity to make many new friends all over the world. At the same time, you will of course also get to know the country and its people, learn how to organize yourself and gain a good deal of self-confidence. Above all, the question of multilingualism is an important criterion for many students to complete a bachelor's degree abroad. In addition to English, the respective national language - in these cases Dutch or Italian - often also needs to be mastered; at least knowledge is always an advantage in order to get to know the country and its people from the best side. It also shows respect to be able to have at least a little small talk in the respective national language - it also looks good on your CV to be able to demonstrate at least B2 knowledge of another language other than English. This is often the infamous tipping the scales.
Study abroad: Studying abroad can take the entire bachelor's degree. It's that easy to completely combine a bachelor's degree and studying abroad!
