Hello Valentin! You spent your semester abroad in Ecuador. Why did you choose this country?
There were several reasons. Firstly, I really wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking country so that I could finally put the language skills I had acquired in previous semesters to use. I had also always wanted to visit South America and had long been interested in the culture of these countries. Of course, the funding programme was also a small additional incentive.
So you received financial support for your semester abroad?
Yes, I was supported by the DAAD during my semester abroad. I received a grant of €900 per month for 5 of my 6 months and a one-off payment of €1,000 for flights. This covered my rent and most of my expenses in Ecuador.
Where did you live and what was that like for you?
I lived in the house of a professor from another university, in my own room. She was super nice and it helped me a lot, especially at the beginning, to have someone to talk to. The house was in a gated community, so it was very safe and close to various shopping facilities. Unfortunately, the flat was a bit far from the university.
How did you organise your stay abroad in advance?
First, I contacted UNEMI in Ecuador with the help of the International Office at FHD. I had a Zoom meeting with a dean and some other staff members from the university in Ecuador, and they presented the various modules and options for studying abroad. I then chose my courses and also decided to do an internship abroad at the Parque Histórico de Guayaquil.
What was a typical week like during your stay abroad?
At the beginning of my semester, I always worked at the Parque Histórico from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of my internship. The park is only a 10-minute walk from my accommodation. In the park, I gave guided tours for tourists, initially only in English, but later also in Spanish. Later on, I had classes at the university four days a week, where I was picked up at 6 a.m. and returned home around 3 p.m.
Would you recommend other students to study abroad for a while?
I would definitely recommend it. During my time abroad, I learned a lot of new things about the culture and the country, but also about myself. You meet new people and maybe get to see places you would never have seen otherwise.
Do you have any tips for students who are still planning their semester abroad?
Of course, it's always important to take care of everything early on. This includes choosing a destination, finding accommodation and finding out about financing options. Otherwise, I would try to get in touch with people who have spent time in the country and exchange ideas with them, for example with students in higher semesters.
Was the experience of the semester abroad helpful for you in your job search? Is it helpful in your current job?
Definitely! Employers like to see that applicants have spent time abroad. The Spanish skills I acquired have also helped me in my current job with a tour operator.
How would you summarise your semester abroad in three words?
Warm, chaotic, impressive!
Valentin, 22, studied Tourism & Event Management at the FHD.
