So I am just about to complete my exchange studies in the New York of Europe, Berlin. I study in the Degree Programme in Network Learning and Competencies, majoring in Media and Arts, and during my exchange I attended the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, studying Film and Motion Design.
At UE, I joined a group of third-year students for the autumn semester. I selected two project courses and two theory courses, which together amounted to 30 credits. This workload felt just right for me, leaving enough room in my schedule for life outside of school as well. I especially enjoyed the project courses, Music Video and Media Spaces. In the Music Video course, we spent the first month studying theory, after which we formed small groups independently and found a local artist for whom we produced a music video. In the Media Spaces course, we learned to use several computer programs that were new to me and studied the theory behind media installations. The course concluded with an exhibition where all our projects were showcased. Both of these projects increased wildly my professional skills, but also my communication and self-management skills.
Alongside my studies, I was fortunate to get to know this wonderfully urban and colourful city and its people. Through the university, I met a few other exchange students with whom I spent most of my free time outside of classes. Living in Berlin for six months has been an experience that taught me more than I ever expected. The city itself became a teacher that challenged me, inspired me, and constantly surprised me. Every neighbourhood had its own vibe, every metro ride its own cast of characters, and every week brought something new to discover.
What made the experience even richer were the people I met. Through the university, I connected with a couple of exchange students from Italy and Switzerland, who quickly became my closest friends here. We bonded over shared confusion about German bureaucracy, long days in the editing rooms, and spontaneous bar crawls after uni. Together we navigated everything from flea markets to techno clubs, and these friendships became one of the most meaningful parts of my exchange. I’m happy to say that our friendship is only just beginning.
Berlin also taught me a lot about independence. Moving to a new country, adapting to a different academic system, and building a new life pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. I learned to trust my own skills, to communicate across cultures, and to embrace the unexpected.
As my exchange period comes to an end, I feel a mix of gratitude and nostalgia. Berlin has left a mark on me with its openness, its creative chaos, and its unapologetic individuality. I’m leaving with new skills, new friends, and a renewed sense of confidence in my path as a media professional. Most of all, I’m leaving with the feeling that this city will always welcome me back, and I know I’ll return.
Signing off with a heart full of Berlin memories, Emmi.
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