Studying in Germany
My exchange in Germany is a little different from a typical semester abroad because I came here as part of my double-degree studies in International Business Management. This means that my main purpose is not only to experience another country, but also to continue developing my academic and professional knowledge in an international environment.
One thing I have enjoyed is studying together with students from different countries. Group projects are particularly interesting because cultural differences become visible very quickly. People may have different ideas about deadlines, preparation, leadership, communication and how directly they should disagree with each other.
In Germany, I have experienced a relatively structured approach to studying. Planning, deadlines and clear responsibilities are taken seriously. Discussions can also be quite direct. At first, direct comments may sound stronger than intended, but I gradually learned not to interpret them personally. Often the purpose is simply to identify the problem and find a solution.
This has been useful for me because my background is not only in business but also in engineering and R&D management. I am particularly interested in how German approaches to organisation, industry, innovation and management can complement what I have already learned from working in Asia and studying in Finland.
Photo idea: Hochschule Worms campus, your classroom, library, or a photo of your study desk.
My Spare Time in Germany
Outside university, I enjoy exploring Germany at a slower pace. I do not need a very busy social schedule to enjoy living abroad. Some of my favourite moments are simply walking through the city, discovering old streets, sitting in a café, cycling, or travelling to another town by train.
Germany has many historical towns and buildings that create a very different atmosphere from Finland. I also enjoy visiting local bakeries. The variety of bread and Brötchen is impressive, and going to a bakery gradually becomes an ordinary part of everyday life rather than something I do as a tourist.
Living here has also taught me about the rhythm of German daily life. For example, I quickly learned to buy groceries before Sunday because most shops are closed. At first this seemed inconvenient, but eventually I became accustomed to planning around it.
What I value most about spending time abroad is not necessarily visiting famous tourist attractions. I enjoy observing ordinary life: how people use public spaces, how they communicate, what they eat, how neighbourhoods feel and what people do during weekends. These small experiences often teach me more about a country than sightseeing alone.
Photo ideas: your favourite street in Worms, the Rhine, a bakery, a café, or a picture from one of your weekend trips.
Worms Cathedral
Germany and Finland: Similar, but Not the Same
Because I came to Germany after studying in Finland, I naturally compare the two countries.
One of the things I appreciate most about Finland is its silence and personal space. Finnish communication can be minimal, and silence does not necessarily need to be filled. I personally feel very comfortable with this. Nature is also extremely close to everyday life in Finland. Forests, lakes, fresh air and changing weather are some of the things I love about living there.
Germany feels somewhat more socially active and structured to me. There are more people around, cities often feel denser, and everyday interaction seems more formal in certain situations. The distinction between Sie and du, for example, makes me more conscious of social relationships and appropriate distance.
I have also noticed differences in university culture. My experience in Finland has been relatively informal: teachers are approachable, first names are commonly used, and students are given considerable independence. In Germany, I sometimes experience clearer formality and structure. Expectations regarding organisation and communication may be expressed more explicitly.
However, I have learned not to think about these differences as better or worse. Finland has taught me to appreciate trust, independence, silence and personal space. Germany is teaching me to appreciate another combination of structure, directness and reliability.
Perhaps this is one of the most valuable things about studying abroad: we gradually stop asking, “Which culture does things correctly?” and start asking, “Why does this make sense here?”
After living in Vietnam, Finland and now Germany, I feel increasingly comfortable moving between different ways of communicating and working. For someone interested in international business and management, this may ultimately be one of the most useful lessons of the entire double-degree experience.
Comments