The maps below show where LAS students have gone in the past academic years. To prepare for your stay abroad, have a look at study abroad testimonials of LAS students, such as
- Sabina at University College MAASTRICHT
- Vera at theUPPSALA Universitet
- Lisa at the Universidad Politécnica de MADRID
- Daichi at the University of WARWICK
- Seungjun at the Universidad Complutense de MADRID
- Lydia at the National University of SINGAPORE
- Matthias at University College MAASTRICHT
- Lara at Schreyer Honors College, PENN STATE University
- Nagihan at the University of SYDNEY
- Piet at the University of HONG KONG
Where are and were LAS students 2022-23?
Where have LAS students been since 2014?
Sabina, Class of 2023: Double Degree at University College Maastricht
Leaving is never easy but it's worth it.
I chose to go to University College Maastricht in the academic year 2021/2022, as it offers, together with UCF, a Double Degree program. I went to UCM right after the COVID-19 restrictions were removed, and my time there felt incredibly familiar, as I could identify the same wonderful atmosphere that I knew from my first (and only in-presence) semester at UCF. The process of moving to another country was almost effortless, as generations of UCF students have been passing their room in Belgium (right over the border) from one to the other for a long time now. It's easy, practical, and tradition by now… which was well worth it when it comes to keeping fit (there's a lot of cycling involved)!
The courses you can take at UCM are very diverse and offered me a great deal of learning opportunities. I was able to discuss my choices with my supervisor as well as with the student support. I loved allowing myself to try out something new, like courses about transitional justice, or ethnography. I also enjoyed many of the free-time activities offered, from debating to feminist movie nights. Aside from that, sightseeing through Maastricht or, generally, the Netherlands or even Belgium was lots of fun.
I would generally recommend UCM to anyone who's interested in a wider range of courses and is looking forward to conducting their own piece of research before the final thesis, as it provides wonderful training. Keep calm and enjoy the experience!
Vera, Class of 2022: Uppsala – Impressive Student-Initiatives
Vera used the opportunity to study abroad through an UCF exchange to Uppsala, Sweden. She thinks that going on an UCF exchange is the most straightforward way of going abroad although it requires a bit of planning and settling on an idea relatively early.
As an EES-major, Vera highly recommends taking classes at the Centre for Environment and Development Studies (CEMUS) at the Uppsala University. She loved how this is a student-initiated and transdisciplinary centre with a very similar teaching approach to the UCF:
"Studying at Uppsala University was in many ways similar to what I was used to from UCF, but I also encountered some differences. Firstly, many classes at CEMUS were very similar to UCF classes in their transdisciplinary approach, their teaching philosophy, student engagement and forms of assessment. One major difference though was the concept of everyone learning from everyone, since students themselves were the course instructors and they established a common understanding of everyone's knowledge being valuable. For certain matters in which they did not have enough expertise, outside guests were invited, which also brought in new perspectives in addition to those of us students or the instructors."
Lisa, Class of 2022: Madrid– An Enriching Experience (even during the pandemic)
Hi there! My name is Lisa and I have spent the past two semesters in Madrid, studying at the Universidad Politécnica and enjoying Spanish life and culture. Despite the extraordinary situation due to the pandemic, so far, it has been an incredible experience and I am sad to leave what has become a home for me.
The city of Madrid is a popular destination for Erasmus as well as international exchange students, so it is very easy to meet new people from all over the world. The Politécnica also has a very active student association of international students, who offered fun events and get-togethers during the welcome week as well as throughout the semester, which was a great way to meet people. My faculty, the faculty for forestry and environmental sciences, is situated in the north of the city, in the campus-like ciudad universitaria, along with many other university buildings. My classes, like in most Madrilenian universities were conducted in a hybrid way, around half of them being online and the other half at university. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to go to offline classes, as this was where I met my fellow students and teachers. Even though, it took me a while to get used to the incredibly fast Madrilenian Spanish, especially when it is aggravated by a mask, I finally really enjoyed both my classes and fellow students. Thanks to the really great Erasmus coordinator at the faculty, I was allowed to take any course at the university, which allowed me to pick interesting subjects I wouldn't have been able to take at the university of Freiburg. Although some courses were not entirely what I expected and it took me some time to adapt to the less participative atmosphere in class, in the end I really had some great teachers with whom I am still in contact.
In hindsight, Madrid was probably one of the best choices for my Erasmus during the pandemic, since restrictions in the capital have remained moderate throughout the past year and I have been able to lead a rather normal life, compared to students in many other places. Even though there is a maximum number of people who can gather and a face-mask must always be worn, most cultural sites and restaurants, although reduced in capacity, have remained open. This is why, when I'm not at university, I really love to wander about the city and the area. Madrid is a beautiful city with lots of things to offer but is especially rich in culture and art. There are many museums and galleries and there are always exhibitions and events going on in cultural centers like the Matadero or the Casa Encendida. If you are looking to enjoy all the benefits of a big city, try out new things and meet new people, this is the place to do it. During my stay I have been living in the district of Lavapies, which is a multicultural quarter in the heart of the city. There is always something going on here and I love to walk through the colorful streets, have a cup of coffee in the sun or enjoy some tapas in one of the little bars. Nevertheless, this was of course not all I expected when I decided to go an Erasmus-exchange to Spain. I have also been disappointed by the empty campus, cancelled practical classes or not being able to get to know as many people as I had hoped.
Since the country imposed a travel ban between the autonomous regions, it also wasn't possible for me to travel through Spain and get to know some other cities as I had hoped. This, however, is how I got to know the wonderful nature that surrounds the capital. You might not expect it – in fact, I didn't – but the province of Madrid has a lot of beautiful nature to offer and I got to know many hidden places during my stay. So, whenever I got tired of the city and wearing a face-mask all the time, I went out to hike in the mountain chain to the north of Madrid or to visit one of the small rural towns.
Nevertheless, like any other student, and in fact like most people in the world, I also sometimes felt overwhelmed by the extent of this crisis, and my personal responsibility in it, especially as I was moving more freely than most of my German friends.
While all of this sounds wonderful – and it was – of course, during a stay abroad not all will always go well, far less during a global pandemic. Nevertheless, I am really glad I took the step and decided to come here, and I honestly didn't expect an exchange to Spain, a country that seems rather similar in culture and habits, to be as enriching as it has been to me.
Daichi, Class of 2020: Studying at Warwick – A Fantastic Experience
Studying a year at the University of Warwick was a fantastic experience in which I could step up on higher stage in both academic knowledge and personal development. Warwick is a hub for innovative scientific research and entrepreneurial business, where active students from all around the world study.
My main motivation for studying abroad was to have better academic opportunity, specifically freedom in choosing courses. Since I'm an international student at UCF, having not sufficient language proficiency in German to take courses from Uni Freiburg, going to an English university was a good choice to deepen my academic interest. In addition, I was simply interested in how things go and people think in the process of Brexit. After all, I think I learned precious knowledge about British policy and democracy.
Student life in Warwick is truly exciting, enjoyable and critical for personal development. Opportunities are out there. You just need to stay active! In University of Warwick, there are a variety of student activities from cultural societies, sports club, political societies, to business related societies. It would be fantastic experience if you can get involved in one of society. Even if you can't, you can go to events held by them. Almost every week there is a seminar or conference organized by a society such as Warwick Entrepreneur, Warwick Business School Society, Warwick Engineering Society, Global Sustainable Development Society … etc. You can learn about cutting edge technology and business from experienced guest lectures. You are definitely able to find something interesting!
Academic life in the university was also very fulfilling for me. My home department in Warwick, Liberal Arts, allowed me to take a variety of modules across the university including Warwick Business School which is one of the best business schools in the UK. I took modules from 4 different departments. You can use that flexibility to pursue your academic interests. It is also notable that the university has the richest ethnic diversity in the UK. There are students from all across the world. Half or sometimes two thirds of classroom is occupied by internationals. You can exchange culture with much more people here in Warwick, which might enlarge your view to see the world.
My exchange year in England was a truly precious time which provided me with opportunities to specialize my academic interest, meet some inspiring people and drive higher motivation and curiosity. I know Freiburg is lovely city. It's so comfortable to live. However, now I can say that it's significant to get out of your comfort zone and to learn in a different environment, face challenges and talk with new people. University of Warwick is definitely the right place to study, especially if you are interested in business. It's resourceful, modern and highly diversified university. You can find new color to paint your canvas.
Seungjun, Class of 2020: Madrid – More than a Study Abroad Experience
My name is Seungjun, I come from South Korea, and I study LAS at UCF. I studied abroad at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) in Spain for two semesters as part of a UCF exchange program and it was an incredibly fulfilling event in my life, filled with academic challenges and cultural experiences.
Upon arrival, my first impression of Madrid was that of excitement and anticipation. The city was modern yet traditional, and busy yet peaceful. I had always imagined Madrid as a huge city with tall skyscrapers befitting the Spanish capital, but it was quite the contrary. There were certainly some big streets like the Gran Vía and tall buildings throughout the city. However, they weren't overwhelming like those in New York or Seoul. Everyday life in Madrid included trips to nearby cities like Toledo and Cuenca, live football matches at the Santiago Bernabéu, and discoveries of rooftop bars and stylish cafes in the attractive neighborhoods of Chueca and Malasaña. The energy and excitement of the Spanish capital always encouraged me to move around, see more, do more, and eat more. I couldn't have chosen a better city for my Erasmus experience, as Madrid had everything to offer.
During the two semesters I studied in Madrid, I took ten courses in total. Out of those ten, two courses were taught in English while the other eight were taught completely in Spanish. In the beginning, I had some difficulty understanding what the professors were talking about. Despite my B1 level of Spanish plus some additional language courses, the speed at which the professors spoke made it extremely hard for me to fully comprehend the complex lecture content and instructions. I would often times seek help from my Spanish peers or go up to the professor after class to resolve my questions and concerns. Nonetheless, such hardships and challenges paid off in the end, because with time I was able to understand more and more of the lecture and even deliver a presentation in front of the class. By the end of the second semester, I found myself at ease with completing assignments and essays in Spanish.
In retrospect, the two semesters I spent in Madrid were more than just a study abroad experience. I met new people, overcame challenges, tested myself to the limits, and learned to say goodbyes. Even though my academic pursuits in a new environment definitely allowed me to become a better scholar and student, the daily events in Madrid with new people and friends allowed me to become a better person. I'm grateful for such a valuable experience, and I hope that this report can be a source of encouragement for anyone hesitating to apply for an exchange program abroad.
Lydia, Class of 2016: Studying at NU Singapore? Definitely yes!
Anyone who's interested in Asia, won't be able to ignore Singapore, since it is economically and politically one of the most important locations in South East Asia. Besides Singapore's relevance for Asia's development, and thus the global system, there are many other good reasons to spend one or two semesters in the city-state. I was particularly interested in the peaceful coexistence of very different cultures in a confined space. As a complete Asia newcomer it was really exciting for me to get an insight into the Chinese, Indian, Malaysian culture and many more. Especially the numerous public holidays, such as Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, but also just a visit to the districts of Little India or Chinatown, offer a good opportunity to experience different cultural traditions and everyday life. And of course, one should not miss the numerous restaurants, since Singapore is famous for its culinary diversity.
I was very pleased with my classes at the National University of Singapore (NUS).There is a great range of course offerings at the university, including faculties such as Southeast Asian Studies which are unique to the region. In each course, I had both lectures and tutorials, which did not differ too much from the structure in Freiburg. There was a lot of discussion, presentations and group work involved. In addition to university courses there are still a million other things to do on campus. There are countless sports clubs, as well as theater groups, bands and more. As I took part in the International Office program exchange, administration was well organized and the tuition fees at NUS were waived which is a great advantage. If you are freed from tuition fees and have accommodation on campus, living costs are comparable to Freiburg. Hence, financing your studies in Singapore is feasible, even without a scholarship.
Adapting to a different system and environment was sometimes challenging but definitely worth it. Besides the enriching experience of the stay itself, I have found many new friends and discovered a part of the world, that I didn't know before. My expectations on the semester abroad were thus more than met in Singapore.
Matthias, Class of 2018: Double Degree at University College Maastricht
I spent the academic year 2016/2017 at University College Maastricht (UCM) doing the Double Degree Program. My decision to study at UCM was motivated by two main (academic) reasons. First, to obtain an additional independent degree from a renowned university. Second, to take advantage of UCM's broad range of high quality courses. After getting accepted into the program, I was guided through all further steps of registration. Signing up for courses was easy and convenient. While it is important to remember UCM's graduation requirements, there is still a great degree of freedom concerning which courses you can take. Overall, UCM's administrative body is very fast and reliable and I never encountered any bureaucratic issues.
The greatest benefit of studying at UCM is arguably the tremendous learning experience that one can get. Given that I do not have another experience of studying abroad that I could use for comparison, I still believe that the quality of learning and teaching at UCM is exceptional for several reasons. First, the amount and variety of courses offered is huge. This allowed me to both gain a deeper understanding of international relations and to broaden my intellectual horizon by taking courses in other disciplines such as sociology. Second, the quality of courses is really high. Except for one outlier, I genuinely enjoyed all classes at UCM and was furthermore able to acquire valuable academic skills. Third, both students and teachers actively contribute to a good learning outcome. UCM employs Problem-Based Learning through-out all courses, which enables independent learning and facilitates insightful discussions. Additionally, classes are small in size and the willingness amongst peers to prepare and participate is high. Finally, just to state the obvious: You receive an additional independent degree, which might be helpful for master's programmes, internships, or job applications– especially abroad.
Thus, the Double Degree Program means having a particularly intense year of academic work. After all, you are basically doing an entire degree in a year, meaning that every course and every grade has special significance. Although I was aware of this before-hand, and do not regret my decision at all, the ability to follow interests, thoughts, and goals outside of university is something that I did miss. One of the things that I have learned to strongly appreciate about LAS in Freiburg is the fact that we have four years in which we can learn about both academia and ourselves.
Doing the Double Degree provides you with arguably the greatest educational opportunity for your stay abroad. I have genuinely enjoyed most of my time in Maastricht and learned incredibly much. UCM, its staff, and its students have had a great influence on my development. When considering this program, just be sure that you are aware of the intense workload and willing to sacrifice some other activities.
Lara, Class of 2016: Penn State – A Place to Meet the Nittany Lion
My stay abroad (1 semester) at the Schreyer Honors College (SHC), which is a part of the Pennsylvania State University (PSU), was a great experience. I had a wonderful time meeting awesome people, having fun and interesting courses, and seeing new places. Special about the Schreyer Honors College (SHC) - UCF exchange are the weekly meetings with Penn State students that will go to Germany. Personally, I enjoyed the discussions about diverse and interesting topics. Penn State is a great place to spend a diversified stay abroad. Even though it lies somewhat "in the middle of nowhere", Penn State is still close (4h bus ride) to New York City as well as Philadelphia, which makes it an ideal place to experience two great North American cities even on a weekend trip or during Thanksgiving break. Also, Penn State is a good place to spend time outside. Mount Nittany is close-by and an offers nice hiking routes. If you want to meet the Nittany Lion, Penn State's mascot, it is best to dive into the American Football culture and spend much time tailgating during football season. In the end, Penn State offers a variety of committees and clubs to join.
Every-day life in Penn State is somewhat different from Freiburg. When studying at Penn State as an exchange student, one usually lives on campus, which means to live in large dorms, sharing rooms (which is lovely when having a great roommate), and usually eating in dining halls that offer a variety of foods because there are not many cooking facilities. Penn State is situated in a university town called State College, which very much developed to serve the needs of a large university. Therefore, while on campus, there is not much of a mix between students and people outside university as there is in Freiburg.
Academically, Penn State offers a large and varied course catalogue. The course structure does not differ much from UCF courses, so that lectures are often accompanied by seminars. During my study abroad, I could take courses that helped me focus and further my personal academic interest, namely combining environmental sciences with communication and sociology, which made my time abroad an irreplaceable step in my academic live.
Overall, I am absolutely satisfied with my stay abroad and it helped me tremendously to refine my personal academic interest. I met many great people and experienced new places. If I were in the situation to decide anew where to spend my time abroad, I would definitely go there again.
Nagihan, Class of 2018: University of Sydney – A Stay that Changed my Life
I had set my eyes on Australia after meeting an exchange student from Brisbane and becoming good friends with her. As I was researching the options within Australia, particularly after having a look at the courses offered, it piqued my interest academically as well. There were just too many interesting courses I could take. The whole process, from the first application to the International Office to the very last minute in Australia, went smoothly.
As a culture and history student, I was spoiled with the course options and could therefore manage my weekly schedule as I wished. Some courses are specifically designed for exchange students such as: Australian sports, in which you will watch several Australian games; Australian stage and theatre, in which you will go to theatre plays and watch and discuss Australian films and culture; and outdoor learning like camping in the Blue Mountains. These courses are both a lot of fun and it is a good starting point to get to know the Australian culture. Outside the courses, there are numerous organized leisure and orientation activities for exchange students, like walking tours to major attraction points of the city, or parties in the Manning Bar at the campus. Both Sydney and the University of Sydney host a number of events, conferences and festivals. There is always some special event going on at the campus and/or in the city. Getting bored or having two identical weeks can hardly be justified in this city.
I had applied for the exchange program in Australia with the expectations of seeing somewhere new and exciting, improving my language skills and meeting new people. My actual stay, however, has far exceeded my expectations and provided me with a unique experience that I will forever be thankful for. It also wouldn't be an overstatement to say that it changed my life.
From academic perspective, I changed my mind about my future profession after having a course about historiography. I found it most influential and appealing and I am now resolved to pursue my studies in classical history. I would definitely consider applying to University of Sydney for graduate/post graduate studies in the future. I think that going for this exchange year was one of my best decisions. I've learned and experienced more than I expected, both about Australia and about myself. It was a continuous journey of exploration, an almost constant feeling of discovery and adventure, learning something new, meeting someone new, making (hopefully) life-long friends. Whatever reservations you might have about going to Australia, don't let them intimidate you. In the end, it will be your best decision as well– I am sure of it.
Piet, Class of 2018: University of Hong Kong – An Unforgettable Year
All in all, I can greatly recommend my stay– it was an amazing last year. There were many positive experiences I made and a few negative ones as well. As all of these brought me forward, I would not want to miss a single one of them.
Once I was accepted at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the tough part of preparing for the stay was already over. Although there were some further information and documents needed, the Freiburg International Office was very helpful to make things go smoothly. It really pays off to timely start looking for a place to live in Hong Kong. Rents are incredibly high, which is why most students including myself apply to live in more affordable student dorms. As if rent itself was not high enough already, living costs in Hong Kong can be quite high as well. The HKU campus is really nice. It is located halfway up a hill between countless skyscrapers with a view over Kowloon's western front and the sea. The Main Building has a nice colonial architectural style to offer while the centennial campus was built just a few years ago – modernity and tradition are found very closely to each other in a place as crowded as Hong Kong.
I was generally very satisfied with the courses HKU offered me as exchange student. I could choose from courses offered from at least a dozen of different departments and institutes. As a politics student, the current political tensions over Hong Kong's status in the world and its relationship to the mainland were extremely exiting to learn about from the city itself. Studying in Hong Kong was great to experience both difficulties and chances of mixing a Hong Kong and mainland Chinese mindset concerning studying style and the intentions behind learning with a Western style university that clearly orientates itself at liberal and humanistic ideas developed in Europe and the United States.
Hong Kong is an immensely interesting construct somewhere between a city and a state – in general and even more for those interested in contemporary politics. It was a unique experience to experience both richness and tension arising from such situation first hand – be it lecturers asking to have the door closed before they commence talking about their stand on the 'Hong Kong issue' or a Hong Kong local joking with his mainland friend at high table dinner because they have difficulties to understand each other's accents. This sometimes-bizarre situation paired with the (mostly) high quality courses at HKU made it an unforgettable year that I would never want to miss.
