Studying in Germany and a Bit More: Exchange Semester
Alexandra Kudryavtseva, a second-year student in the “Marketing and Market Analytics” programme, shares her experience of academic mobility in Germany — from getting a visa to student life in Würzburg.
Hello everyone! My name is Sasha, and I’d like to share my experience of taking part in a fall academic mobility program at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt.
Choosing a university and preparation
After looking through all the partner universities on the HSE GSB International Office website, I immediately chose Germany. First, I had been studying German for some time and was ready to practice it in a real environment. Second, I was looking for a strong education system with a focus on practical learning (and I was right!). Third, Germany is located in the center of Europe, which means plenty of travel opportunities. After receiving the acceptance letter, I immediately started preparing all the required documents for the visa. The longest part was waiting for the official invitation from the host university. As soon as I received it, I went straight to the visa center and by June my student visa was ready. I just had to wait for September to start this new chapter of my life!
Accomodation
Housing for international students in Germany is usually provided through student organizations and is typically offered to all international students as a priority. To apply, I submitted a request on the Studierendenwerk website and indicated my dormitory preferences (though keep in mind that preferences are not always guaranteed). Still, the living conditions were quite comfortable: the rooms were well equipped and the dorms were located in good areas.
Adaptation
At THWS, there is a strong support community for international students. From the very first days, there were many events and meetings where we could get to know not only other students but also the city itself. We had guided tours of local attractions, the university and even cafés. This was when I made most of my new friends, so I highly recommend not skipping these activities, they really help you adapt faster. So don’t be shy, don’t be lazy and try to attend everything. Germans are very friendly and were always ready to help or give advice. The professors are open and supportive, always willing to explain things and answer questions. Würzburg itself is a cozy, green and clean city with the atmosphere of a true German town. It’s a calm place to live and study and its size makes it easy to settle in quickly.
Sudies
Most courses are practice-oriented, so a large part of the work is done in teams. For example, in Marketing and Cultural Management classes, we analyzed real cases and presented our solutions. It’s important to note that all coursework is team-based, with no individual assignments. So it’s worth choosing your team carefully, as your final grade may depend on it. The grading system is different from HSE: your final grade is based either on an exam or on the final presentation of a team project. There is no continuous assessment system, which means you need to manage your time and effort wisely throughout the semester.
Overall experience
Академическая мобильность была моей мечтой. Мечтой, которая все-таки осуществилась. За все это время я познакомилась с людьми из разных стран и культур, училась на иностранном языке в другой стране, расширяла свой кругозор, много путешествовала, знакомилась с новыми традициями и местами, встретила рождество в Европе и столкнулась с самостоятельной жизнью. Отдельное спасибо центру мобильности за постоянную поддержку, оперативные ответы на все-все мои вопросы и готовность помочь на каждом этапе. Очень благодарна Высшей школе бизнеса за возможность пройти обучение за рубежом и получить такой бесценный опыт!
Overall experience
Academic mobility was my dream and it finally came true. During this time, I met people from different countries and cultures, studied in a foreign language in another country, broadened my horizons, traveled a lot, discovered new traditions and places, celebrated Christmas in Europe and experienced independent living. Special thanks to the International office for their constant support, quick responses to all my questions and willingness to help at every stage. I’m very grateful to HSE GSB for the opportunity to study abroad and gain such an invaluable experience!
