A semester abroad is an unforgettable adventure for many THWS students. The US not only offer incredible cultural diversity but also numerous opportunities for individual and academic development.
Published on 10 October 2024
"It changes one’s perspective on life but also on the world itself because you are confronted with entirely different perspectives," explains Dr. Daniel Wimmer, head of the International Office at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), while talking about semesters abroad. The US offer students almost endless possibilities: THWS has meanwhile established 14 partnerships with US universities which cover numerous faculties and disciplines. That way, THWS students looking to spend a semester in the US can find a university that matches their study interests. Among the partner universities are large institutions like City University of Seattle at the West Coast but also rather rural institutions like the Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville in the Mid-West. Students can also combine a semester abroad with an internship. For this, they could for example choose the Auburn University in Alabama as a Bavarian company’s subsidiary is based directly in Auburn. "We are particularly proud of this as it sets us apart from other higher education institutions. We have many partner universities in the US and excellent cooperations," Dr. Wimmer emphasises.
"American college experience" meets reality
One of the students who dared venture to the US is Nina Marschall. She spent the 2024 summer semester at City University of Seattle. "The 'American College Experience' from books and movies tempted me to go to the US," Nina remembers. Another important aspect for her decision was that she was looking to improve her English language skills. "What way would be better suited than speaking to English natives?"
The ties between regional companies and institutions and the US would be close and would offer many possibilities for professional development and cooperation, Dr. Wimmer said. Especially because the US would be an important business partner for Germany. "There is a relatively large possibility that you will come into contact with the US in your career," Dr. Wimmer explains. Nina's career chances have also brightened due to the semester abroad. She would like to work in the US and could well imagine staying there.
USA: Expensive but worth every penny
"You must be aware of the fact that a semester abroad in the US is definitely more expensive than in a European country," Nina says. She would nevertheless take this same decision over and over again. The investment in all those unforgettable memories and experiences she made during her semester abroad definitely paid out.
There are scholarships to help students fund their semester abroad. Students can for example apply for a scholarship with Fulbright Germany or the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The Auslands-BAföG could be a good opportunity even for students who are not eligible for the national BAföG. It would be worth a try as the criteria for Auslands-BAföG would often be less strict than those of the 'regular' BAföG in Germany. "You must, however, expect to pay quite a sum yourself," Dr. Wimmer emphasises. Nina as well had to spend her savings and some of her parents' saving to pay for her semester abroad despite receiving a DAAD scholarship via THWS.
Cultural differences: "The USA are not the USA – which is the fascinating thing"
The USA with their 50 federal states are so large that there are major cultural differences within the country. "From childhood on we are confronted with the US. However, this does not mean that we know the US," Dr. Wimmer says from his own experience. "Visiting the US is always exciting no matter where you go."
On the one hand there are megacities that never sleep and which have so much to offer that you can barely decide on what to do. On the other hand there are rural areas which are very quiet and in which the offers are quite sparse due to limited public transport.
In Seattle, Nina could experience a bit of everything: from baseball games and line dancing to orca watching, city trips, tips to the beach and kayak tours. People would be more open-minded and ready to help compared to Germany, she says. She was still surprised how expensive life in the US was and how cheap fast food was compared to healthy foods. "The worst part for me was that in the US they mainly eat toast instead of proper bread," Nina says with a laugh.
Higher education systems compared
The higher education system in the US differs greatly from the one in German, particularly regarding financial aspects. Money plays a role anywhere on campus. While student fees in the US are significantly higher, students can also make use of greater offers. The equipment and sports facilities would be particularly impressive. “There you can do any type of sports you can imagine,” Dr. Wimmer says. The more prosperous the university, the higher the amounts it can invest in infrastructure which again positively impacts the quality of research and teaching. In Germany, the public sector ensures transparency which makes such a discrepancy less likely.
Thanks to her university courses and daily life in the US, Nina has significantly improved her English skills. She has also learnt a lot academically and feels well-prepared for her career, be it in Germany, the US, or in another country. During her semester abroad she became more independent and self-confident. "It is an entirely new experience and I am truly grateful for everything I have learnt," Nina Marschall concludes. Dr. Wimmer shares these general experiences: "You experience new things which you would miss if you stayed here at THWS and due to which you develop competences you can later apply in your job." But he also adds: "A semester abroad is not an end in itself. Not every student has to go abroad. It must fit into their individual plans."
