"Do it! Make! Do it! By all means! Do it!" That's the advice Katharina Bieloch gives to anyone thinking about a semester abroad. "A semester abroad is immensely enriching. The experiences and adventures are priceless," says the Master's student of American Studies.
Last winter semester, she visited Longwood University in Virginia - a partner university of the University of Oldenburg. Katharina was the second guest student from Oldenburg to study there for three months. "It was always clear to me that I wanted to do a semester abroad. I wanted to experience college life in America".
But before that could happen, Katharina had to overcome a mountain of formalities. "You can't underestimate how much paperwork has to be done: insurance, visa, special certificates - everything has to be applied for. Pages and pages of forms." The International Student Office (ISO) helped with the organisation. In counselling sessions, Katharina was given a guide to the steps required for a semester abroad in the United States. The preparations took just under eight months in total.
American college life
And then the time had come. Katharina boarded the plane and started her semester abroad. And landed straight into culture shock? "You could say that," laughs the 28-year-old. "I already knew the USA from a few trips. But studying there, spending everyday life there, is completely different. I wouldn't have expected that."
Although the American students were very approachable, they were ultimately not as engaging as she had expected. That was surprising. On the other hand, she got to know many international students and made friends - including students from Saudi Arabia. "I was amazed at how open they were. They invited me to dinner. We drank Arabic coffee and ginger tea around the campfire, made music together and went on excursions together. I have yet to visit them at home." Experiences that the student would not want to miss.
A "buddy" for everyone
But how does settling in at an American university work? "Pretty well," says Katharina. The reason: a special "buddy programme". Every exchange student is assigned a "buddy", a contact person who provides guidance and helps with everyday life as an American student. And as part of the buddy programme, they went on excursions to Washington and to a large amusement park on Halloween. The ideal opportunity to get to know the other international students.
There is now also a "Buddy Programme" at the University of Oldenburg. The Institute of English and American Studies launched the programme. It is now based at the ISO. Katharina coordinates the programme. She is always on the lookout for new "buddies". "It's certainly an advantage if you know what a semester abroad 'feels like' in order to be a good buddy. But the Buddy Programme is also the ideal preparation for a future stay abroad," explains Kathrina. After all, you then know what expectations the international students have and what to expect. And the same applies to the University of Oldenburg's Buddy Programme: "Just do it".
