At DHBW, I experienced the most incredible and transformative time during my exchange semester in Germany. The international office was incredibly supportive, welcoming me with open arms and ensuring I felt at home. Thanks to the warm and inclusive environment, my overwhelming thoughts about adapting to a new country quickly faded. One of the highlights of my stay was meeting people from over ten different countries and traveling across Europe, creating a rich bond of friendships I will cherish forever. The Buddy Program was exceptional, providing comfort and camaraderie that made all the difference. If I could right now, I would want nothing more than sitting in the Schlossgarten (Castle Garden) and talking to my friends, studying together, and having the best time!

The university organized trips to major cities like Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Mainz, and Berlin, which were educational and incredible bonding experiences. These excursions allowed me to explore the vibrant culture of Germany while forging deep connections with my peers. The faculty at the university, with their vast global experience, were truly inspiring, sharing insights that broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of the world. Karlsruhe, the city I called home, was a wonderful place with unique charm and a vibrant community. I made some fantastic friends here, and we created memories I will hold close to my heart.

Even as I write these words with all my heart, I cannot truly express how amazing of a time I had during my exchange program! I loved every aspect of my time in Germany and wish to return soon to further my studies! With all my confidence and love I can say that the student life at DHBW Karlsruhe will exceed all expectations! 

During my exchange semester, I gained a high level of education at DHBW while seizing invaluable opportunities in Karlsruhe to connect with amazing people from various countries, including Ukraine, Namibia, Taiwan, Jordan, Argentina, Mexico, India, Colombia, Ethiopia, Spain, Chile, France, Nepal, and Georgia, as well as Germany. Before going to Germany, I had a little anxiety about whether I would be able to adapt to life in Karlsruhe and catch onto the lectures at DHBW smoothly without any problems. However, my initial unease went away quickly upon reaching Germany and I enjoyed every moment, traveling around multiple cities within Germany and other European countries with new friends I met in class, the dormitory, or at the student bar and parties in Karlsruhe. Sometimes, people ask me why I am always smiling. The answer is quite simple: I am in love with every aspect of life in Germany and I couldn't stop smiling surrounded by funny, kind, reliable, and crazy friends. These wonderful experiences have undoubtedly not only helped me to improve my language ability and socializing skills, but also to gain more confidence in myself and broaden my horizons in this global world significantly. This is all thanks to the massive support from DHBW and the exchange buddy group members who organized diverse events such as football sessions, city tours, pub explorations, Berlin trips, Christmas parties, etc. I can truly say to all students considering going to Germany as an exchange student that the student life in Germany would never disappoint them and they will gain eternal valuable assets that money cannot buy!

Before coming for an exchange Erasmus semester to Germany, I had already spent a year in the double-degree program in Austria. It was such a valuable opportunity to continue studying offline, especially as a student from Ukraine, where there is currently a war. Europe offers incredible possibilities to us. I wasn’t scared to apply for the program, because I had already lived alone abroad for a year. It was intriguing to me to compare Austria and Germany – two countries that are similar in some ways but different in reality. I already knew a little German, so practicing in Karlsruhe I thought would help me improve my skills. Since I was in my final year of Bachelor's, this exchange was my last chance, and I got it. Before arriving, I decided not to set any expectations or plans; I left it to luck. And it worked out. I met so many good, kind people from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Namibia, and Indonesia. I was also very happy for the opportunity from DHBW to assign each student a buddy. I got a responsible, kind, and helpful German student. The buddies organized numerous events and trips for us. We visited together so many new breathtaking places. They showed us Germany and we really fell into this country’s vibe. We had some events even at the university, such as an international buffet, Christmas party and barbecue evening with beer pong and some parties. The International Office ensured everything was organized to the highest standard, for which I am truly thankful. I already left Germany and returned home and I’m typing and crying because I miss my friends, university, and the city itself. So if you are still considering applying, don’t hesitate, just click on the button – apply. I really recommend trying this to everyone and I’m thankful to DHBW for offering these Erasmus programs!
With love from Ukrainian girl, Anastasiia ♥

Before moving to Germany, I was scared to death to be honest, but one very small part of me knew that even though it felt like the craziest thing I'd ever do, I still had to come. Why? Well, because I had goals and aspirations. Dreams I wanted to accomplish. But before coming here, they had been just that. Dreams. I now feel confident enough to pursue my dreams. Capable of getting out of my comfort zone, stretching and challenging myself because I know the freedom and profound joy that comes out of that. Because I now know that dreams do come true if you are crazy enough to go after them and ask for the sort of help that’s out there waiting for you to be bold enough to decide and take it.
Has it been worth it? Totally. Why again? For starters, classes at DHBW Karlsruhe are full of quality content and topics, groups are small enough that you get to meet your classmates in a more personal way and the class environment overall is just vey enriching and doable. The courses offered are also a great way to meet new people and make life here a lot more fun. Why else? Well, truth be told, I wasn ́t thrilled about coming to Karlsruhe, but now, after a few months living here, I don ́t want to leave at all. I've completely fallen in love with this city. With its people and lively, deep and sometimes even romantic music filling the streets. In love with the chilly nights and colourful sunrises. In awe of the simple little specs of nature around the city, how comfortable it is to take a train and go anywhere in really no time or how beautiful the place looks when you stop and look around and see bikes and families and laughter all over the place. The smell of coffee, perfect German bread and a good Donner or Yuffka as well. I am in love with this place, and I am so thankful that I didn't get to choose where to come to.
Through all this amazing experience, I can only say that the person I was isn’t the person I am, nor is it the person that I hope to become. And that is why I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing and exchange semester or applying for the scholarship to do it. No matter how scary it all may seem, no matter how long and tedious the process is. Do it. Chances like this don't come twice in life and you gain so much more than what you lose by doing it. We are all presented with different and yet very similar opportunities and what we do with them and the attitude we take is what makes all the difference. For me, this all began because I wanted to meet different cultures, visit new places, and just be able to write a very unexpected but surely incredible new chapter to my life. And that and more is exactly what I got here. 

I am really glad that I had a chance to get to know you this year. I will not forget that you have given me this amazing opportunity. After studying at DH, I went to Ankara, as an Erasmus volunteer, started an internship at an American international company, became hiwi at my home university's Career Development Office and I will spend the next semester in Warsaw with Erasmus international credit mobility program. With the help of studying at DH, I become far more competitive in the international job market and apart from all the mentioned, I gained unforgettable experiences and friendships which bettered my understanding of life. With its ups and downs, I can honestly say that it was one of the best periods of my life! And all this is because you gave me the possibility!

My home university offered me options for different countries to spend my exchange year abroad from which I chose Germany and within Germany I chose DHBW Karlsruhe and I don’t think I would have ever made a better choice. Karlsruhe and the DHBW altogether gave me experiences and moreover, a chance to meet some of the most amazing people disguised as teachers, mentors and friends.I also had the privilege to travel to around 8 other nations enhancing my perspective. Before my exchange, I did have an idea and expectations regarding how it should be but after the completion of the most beautiful and incredible experience. I can say it exceeded all my expectations. DHBW’s culture made me more confident, practical, gave me an opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the world and learn to a great extent not only in professional but also in moral terms as well as making me more inquisitive to get to know more about other cultures. It also made me fall in love with life in Germany and now it just feels like my second home. The changes that happened, because of my exchange are permanently embedded in me. In addition to that, the relations I made here are for life that I will cherish forever. If I look back, I wouldn't want to change anything in these 4 and a half months, extremely grateful for it all.