Exchange semester at GSU

Tell us about yourself
My name is Thiago Augusto Primon Girardi and I’m and Exchange student from São Paulo, Brazil. My area of studies is Sport Management and I strongly believe that Sport is a very powerful tool to change the world! Sport is my passion and realizing how it connects the globe it’s simply fascinating!

Why did you choose Germany and the German Sport University?
Germany is a country with a big reputation in terms of organisation and excellence, which in my area of studies is of great importance. This factor, the huge cultural background that Germany has and my will to learn the German language helped me on this decision. In addition, the fact that the German Sport University is totally focused on Sport and its ramifications made my decision-making process a lot easier, without mentioning the high-level facilities and installations provided by the University.

How was your arrival and the support that was provided?
My arrival was quite smooth. The pieces of information provided by the International Office helped me through the whole process and the support was excellent, making me feel safe and supported. Also, the University is very well located, which made the process a lot easier.

How did you get on with little or no German language skills at the University?
There is a lot of courses taught in English at the German Sport University, which makes things a lot easier, but also in the subjects taught in German, the lecturers and students, knowing that you are an international student, always try to help you with extra explanation or any kind of needed support

What do you think about the quality of the university and its courses and seminars?
Every course that I participated I enjoyed a lot. The content of the seminars and courses fit to their purposes and, in my opinion, delivered more than I expected. I specially enjoyed the practical courses since you can also share knowledge with the group and discuss the topics of each class in a very open way, even though you’re an International Student.

What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was to adapt myself to a different culture and, especially in the practical courses, a different form of playing than the one that I’ used to in my home country. This forced me to adapt quickly in order to learn new knowledge with efficiency.

Is campus life affordable?
Totally affordable. The price paid for the dorms are totally fair and Mensa provides healthy cheap meals at lunch and dinner, which make things easier in terms of saving time and money. Besides that, the free transportation around the city on the semester ticket is perfect for travelling and moving around the beautiful Cologne.

What is the atmosphere like on campus?
Is very vibrating and literally embraces you. Every time that I go to one of my classes, to Mensa or anywhere else in the campus, I meet a lot of known people and they all wave back at me with a smile, including professors, classmates, Erasmus students, etc. I really fell at home in Cologne.

What is your favourite place in Cologne?
My favourite place in Cologne is the far side of the River Rhine, definitely. Watching the city and the imposing and charming Dome as a background it’s simply breath taking.

Tell us about yourself
I’m Aaron from Scotland and I’m an Erasmus student in my 3rd year of University. Sport is my biggest passion particularly football, basketball and running. I’ll keep enjoying sport until my body tells me to stop.

Why did you choose Germany and the German Sport University?
Germany is an incredible country with a lot to offer in terms of sights, travel and beer. GSU has such a good reputation, first class facilities it really wasn’t a hard choice coming here. Summer semester also gives me better weather than another a summer in Scotland.

How was your arrival and the support that was provided?
Transport on arrival was easy to operate and get to a hostel. The move into dorms ran smoothly and the introduction days were very welcoming and I got to know people straight away.

What do you think about the quality of the university and its courses and seminars?
In terms of facilities it tops any University I’ve studied at or visited, it can’t be faulted. The courses I study I enjoy, also in my German speaking classes, lecturers and students do their best to help you understand the content. Campus is always busy but there are quiet places if you want to be away from it all. Everyone is always active and participating in something, but if you want to relax you easily can do. You can go from a hard workout to laying in a park with a beer. It’s perfect.  

Is campus life affordable?
Absolutely. Mensa provides cheap healthy meals at lunch time for very little cost and regularly has cheap dinners on offer also. The student card means you never have to worry about paying money for travelling around the city.

What is your favourite place in Cologne?
I love being across the far side of the River Rhine watching the sunset behind the Dom. A lot of my time I do just enjoy being on the campus relaxing.

Tell us about yourself
My name is Justine Vincent and I am an international student from Auckland, New Zealand. My studies back home include health and outdoor education, which is centred around healthy living through outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, sailing and rock climbing. I am an avid traveller and travel 4-6 months of the year. Other hobbies of mine include netball, swimming, skiing, cycling and reading.

Why did you choose Germany and the German Sport University?
I chose German Sports University for its incredible reputation and facilities. I had previously met exchange students from GSU in my home University, who also convinced me this was the best sport university in the world. Germany was also my first country of choice as it is thriving with great culture and atmosphere and surrounded by beautiful outdoors spaces.

How was your arrival and the support that was provided?
Arrival was smooth and easy, and Margit provided great support and advice whenever I needed it. The university is well located and easy to find and the move in process was extremely smooth.

How did you get on with little or no German language skills at the University?
There was no problem at all having no German language skills as many people in and around the University will happily explain things in English. The teachers/coaches are very accommodating during the classes to non-German speakers and classmates are always willing to translate also.

What do you think about the quality of the university and its courses and seminars?
The quality of the university is beyond exceptional. The courses are fabulous and designed so that students are gaining confidence and leadership skills through each subject/sport. I especially enjoy the sports courses where students are encouraged to share knowledge through coaching and lead discussions during the sports.

What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge has been trying sports courses that I would not usually have taken at home. These courses can be frustrating as they are explained in German and you have to make a conscious effort to understand the coaching in order to improve physical performance.

Is campus life affordable?
Extremely. I have never lived so cheaply in my life. The dorms are incredibly cheap and the free transport around the city on the semester ticket makes for very affordable travelling.

What is the atmosphere like on campus?
The atmosphere on campus is very vibrant and friendly. It is almost impossible to walk through the campus without having at least a dozen fellow classmates/teachers/Erasmus students wave and smile at you. I feel absolutely at home here in Cologne.

What is your favourite place in Cologne?
I love the park towards the South of Cologne (that can be accessed from the University). I could ride my bike through these tracks all day and along the Rhine. Pure magic.

Tell us about yourself
My name is Tercia Deverneuil. I am on exchange for the summer semester. I am currently 20 years old and I am studying to become a secondary teacher at Edith Cowen University in Perth, Western Australia. My major is Heath and Physical education and my minor is Outdoor Education.

Why did you choose Germany and the German Sport University?
I researched GSU and found out that it was one of the best sports universities in the world. I spoke to my unit coordinators and I managed to find units that would cross over that would not delay my studies back home. I figured that it would be an amazing opportunity.

How was your arrival and the support that was provided?
I arrived about a week before the induction day. Which I found helped ground me a lot. I got to explore the city and figure out how the trams worked.
The support is amazing, I managed to sort everything out in just under a month. We had an induction day where we meet all the other exchange students and where we sorted out our courses and how the university works/ the layout.

How did you get on with little or no German language skills at the University?
Really easily, I even enrolled into a swimming course where the unit was in German. The teacher would speak in German to the German students and English after to the international students like myself. The university even offers a free German course.

What was your biggest challenge?
Being away from my family, I still live at home in Australia, so I found it a little bit challenging.

Is campus life affordable?
I definitely think it is. You have Mensa that sells really cheap food, we get the tram for free and the trains on the semester ticket for free.

What is the atmosphere like on campus?
It’s definitely a really fun/ competitive/ sports campus. There is always something happening. The core of this campus is sport and its really motivating. The ERASMUS students become your family so Cologne ends up feeling like home.

What is your favourite place in Cologne?
The cathedral is really cool. My favourite would be the woods/ forests around the university. It’s really nice to go for a walk or run. The scenery is really picturesque.