Katerina Tounousidi left her home country of Greece a year and a half ago and moved to Oldenburg to pursue her dream of studying biology. Today, she feels right at home here.
Katerina already knew as a schoolgirl that she wanted to study biology. When she didn't get a place to study her chosen subject in Athens, her home town, she quickly decided on an alternative: Oldenburg. "My father had been living here for a few years," says Katerina. She visited him every summer and got to know and love the city. As she had already learnt German in Greece, she passed the "German Language Test for University Entrance (DSH)" in Oldenburg after just one semester. Nothing stood in the way of her studies.
Making friends while dancing
She is one of only a few international students on the biology courses. "It felt a bit strange at first," recalls Katerina. "But I quickly realised that everyone was very nice and helpful." In any case, she only had positive experiences at the university - and in the city. "I never thought I would make such good friends in such a short time," she says looking back.
To make friends in Oldenburg, Katerina attended a Bachata course organised by university sports shortly after her arrival. She had noticed the Latin American dance at the International Summer Festival - this year she was on stage herself. Unlike in her university courses, she also meets a lot of "internationals" in sports. "It's nice to have friends who understand what it feels like to study in another country," she says. Because although she has arrived in Oldenburg: She misses her home country of Greece, and especially her family and friends, very much. That's why she flies to Athens as often as she can.
Alongside her studies, Katerina works as a student assistant in the International Student Office, likes to go partying in her free time and uses the semester public transport pass to explore other cities with friends - from Hanover to Groningen. In Oldenburg, she prefers to spend her time in the city centre or at the harbour. Especially in summer, the atmosphere there reminds her of home, she says. Her favourite place on campus: the library. "It has everything - books, places to work, group rooms - and the canteen is right next door. I feel very comfortable there."
Clearing up prejudices
Her tips for all international students who are new to Oldenburg: "Get a bike and take a look at what the International Office has to offer." There are always great events there to get to know people - for example the weekly International Dinner. She also recommends looking for a language tandem partner. "Not only did I improve my German, but I also learnt a lot of practical things about Oldenburg - such as which doctors are good," says Katerina.
She is certain that coming to Germany has helped her progress. "You become more open-minded when you go to another country," she summarises. And adds with a wink: "I always thought Germans were boring because they always follow all the rules. I now realise that you really like to stick to the rules -
but I actually think that's a good thing! And that doesn't make you boring."
