The 10 top doubts and fears - simply brushed away:
1. Can I manage the workload?! Will I be able to keep up with the speed in the lectures and courses?
The selection of universities offered was chosen carefully and is fitting to our schedule, pace and speed here in Rheinbach. If you fulfill the requirements to join the program, you should not have more difficulties to keep up than here in Rheinbach. However, in order to fulfill the need and abilities of every student we also offer quite demanding programs like in Dundee and Aberdeen.
2. Will I be able to finance this trip?
Several of our exchange programs are supported by ERASMUSGrants or scholarships might be available from the DAAD, the industry and foundations. A list of a few of them you will find here. Also Auslands-BAföG is easier to get than the normal BAföG. And on top of that keep in mind that for the time enrolled at the university abroad, you do not have to pay tuition fees at U. Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. While some universities indeed charge tuition fees, there are plenty of opportunities free of charge, with a partial or even complete refund for those who qualify.
Since some countries are more expensive (Scotland) than others (Poland) it is wise to check your financial abilities beforehand. But experience shows: Not by far are the more expensive options also the better ones.
3. Do I know the language well enough?
If not differently announced, all courses of our partner universities are given in English and most native young people also speak good English in case you choose a not English-speaking country. The start might be a bit hard: New people, new university, new language! However, after a couple of weeks you'll certainly adjust to the new environment and language. And after your stay you will be surprised by yourself how your English has developed or how much you have learned the native language. However, we do recommend to attend a language course of the language spoken in the country of your choice beforehand, here in Germany.
4. How can I be sure that I find a room in a flat or a dormitory?
Often reservations for student residences can be done via the partner's international office. If you prefer to find a room/flat/house independently it is advisable to start your search well in advance. You might want to go there a few weeks or even a few months in advance and check the offers yourself. Local newspapers (online available) might be a big help or the offical application processes for university supplied student accomodation.
5. Is it possible that I won't be finished in time which leads to exceeding the standard period of study ("Regelstudienzeitüberschreitung")?
Since we only choose modules at our partner universities, which are according to our schedule and therefore accepted here, there will be no problems of finishing in time. In case you have not passed a module and can not repeat it by the end of the summer semester, it might be a problem indeed. But: This problem could also occur, if you study in Rheinbach only.
6. What, if I fail a course at the university abroad or still have courses not passed after the 4th semester?
Generally it would be good to have passed all courses after the 4th semester and not fail anything while being abroad. In case you have one or two open courses at University Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, you can either repeat them when you are back or repeat them in the 5th semester, either in Rheinbach or abroad, if possible.
7. I will miss my friends and family so much!
That is a burden we can not take away from you. But maybe all the new and exciting people and the different mentality manage to make you thinking of something else than that what you left behind. And thanks to the number of private carriers that have turned up in recent years is it pretty easy and cheap to get visited by all those you love or fly back home for a couple of days.
8. Will I find friends or spend all my days alone?!
It appears that most foreign countries are way more open and friendly to strangers, in general. Thus, it is very likely that you will be busy with new friends after just a couple of days. And the contacts you will have throughout the world, since most universities host many international exchange students, are priceless.
9. What, if I do not like it at this university?
Information and preparation help to prevent disappointments and frustrations! Use all available sources to prepare your stay abroad. This includes our web pages, the partner's web pages, councelling with members of the Department or the International Office. But also senior students who have already been to the place you are interested in, are an invaluable source of information! Often students have to write a report about their stay. Check them yourself and you will see that 99.9% of the students are VERY positive about their stay and the chosen university. Of course, different universities and especially different countries have different focuses and habits.
And the last savety switch is always present: Returning to Rheinbach, whenever you really see no other solution to your problems.
10. Do I really have so many advantages by going abroad?
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The main language in scientific publications and conferences is English. The ability to use these "tools" (publications and conferences) are significant for your international career in particular. And think about how much English you will speak, if you are forced to, when staying abroad and how much you will learn with that.
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We prepare you for the international scientific world while you are here in Rheinbach as much as we can. But every university and institution has its own style, its own way and advantages in matter of labs, structure and focuses. We recommend you to learn from as many places and people as possible, in order to get to know your own parameter and values. How can you be able to decide if something is good or bad, if you never experienced some other way to deal with a problem?!
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Imagine you can choose from a hundred subjects, rather than a couple! In our partner universities you may be able to choose certain subjects you always wanted to take, but never thought you could. Check the schedules of the programs and find out! But keep in mind that the general subject still has to fit into our own curriculum.
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Do not underestimate the significance of the impression on the person who decides, when you apply for a MSc or a job position! Who would you choose?! The one, who took the effort and the chance and strikes new paths, deliberately widens his or her horizon and opened himself new doors or the one who stayed behind in his old, known and comfortable position and situation?
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