Schlagwort-Archive: Hochschule Bremen

Across the Atlantic and back – with UAS7

Profile

Name: Charlotte Boye

Major: Physics

Home University: Bremen UAS

Host University: Pittsburgh University

Charlotte is a student at Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, which is a member of the UAS7 alliance. She went abroad to the University of Pittsburgh as part of the UAS7 Study Program, because she had heard a lot of good things about the University and the city before – and she was not disappointed! We interviewed her shortly after her return to Germany.

Why did you decide to spend your exchange term in Pittsburgh with UAS7?

I had already been to the U.S. a few times before. During these visits, I liked the country a lot and I became curious about its people and culture. I was really fascinated by the U.S., so I started dreaming of studying there as an exchange student to get to know another study system and also to learn more about the country and the people.  Thanks to UAS7, I had the great opportunity to fulfill one of my dreams.

How did you hear about UAS7?

To learn more about my possibilities to spend a semester abroad in the U.S. and to get an idea of what to expect, I read through the testimonies of former exchange students. All those who had been to the USA mentioned UAS7 again and again.

I asked the International Office of my university and they explained to me that my university is part of the UAS7 alliance and that I can spend my semester abroad at the University of Pittsburgh with the help of the Study Program.

Tell us about your experience at Pittsburgh University – what was special about studying there?

The University is great! Especially when you are an international exchange student. There are a lot of events and programs for international students. The University really wants you to get in touch with Americans and other internationals.

I was able to choose from many different classes in my own major but also in other majors. I chose five physics classes and I liked all of them a lot. What’s important to know is that the U.S. study system is different from the German system. In the U.S., they expect students to do much more for their classes and their grades. Students have to submit homework weekly or every other week. In addition, there are at least two exams for each class during the term. So, it’s hard work, but everything is possible! The professors really want their students to succeed. Moreover, the university offers many clubs, sports and events to help students escape from everyday university life, which can sometimes be stressful.

Charlotte and fellow UAS7 exchange students in Pittsburgh

What have you enjoyed most about your stay?

I really liked the people. Americans are generally very friendly and more open-minded than many other people. But I also really liked the city. You can do a lot of different things in Pittsburgh. You can go shopping at the Shadyside. You can see a lot of different sports teams and also go hiking in the parks. And not to forget the traveling. There are so many different opportunities to travel across the U.S. You can easily live like a native there.

Would you recommend Pittsburgh as a destination to international students?

Absolutely! Pittsburgh has a lot to offer. There are so many possibilities to visit museums, galleries, sports events or to do some shopping. You never get bored in the city. And the best part is that you can visit most of the galleries and museums for free with your student ID.

I really loved my time in Pittsburgh, and I can only recommend studying at the University of Pittsburgh.

Are you still in touch with the USA?

Yes, I am still in touch with some of the friends I made in the U.S. We already plan to meet again this summer. Hopefully, I can see all of them again.

Last question: What are your future plans?

I will finish my undergraduate studies in Germany next year. I am already thinking about doing my graduate studies in the U.S. because I really liked the university system there. The time in the U.S really got me into traveling so I also want to see more of the world. But it also inspires me to learn as much as possible different cultures and topics other than my major study topic.

[Questions: Inga Schulze-Velmede, UAS7 New York Intern]

Info

Students enrolled at UAS7 universities are eligible to study at one of the UAS7 partner universities in the U.S. for one term each year. Further information is available on our website or at the International Offices of our seven universities.

Successful kick-off event: Employability (Made) in Germany

On January 30, 2019, UAS7 and Bremen City University of Applied Sciences launched a series of five events within Wunderbar Together, the Year of German-American Friendship 2019, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Nine speakers from business and academia informed interested participants about study, research and work opportunities in Germany and at U.S.-based German companies.

The “Employability (Made) in Germany” project aims to showcase Germany as one of the world’s leading countries in the fields of university-industry collaborations, dual-study programs, apprenticeships, and educational concepts of applied teaching and research. Throughout 2019, UAS7 will take its unique expertise in applied science education to universities across the American heartland.

The first stop on the itinerary was the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). UAS7 presented at UAH’s Spring Career Fair, and met with old and new business partners. At the heart of the visit was the panel on Employability (made) in Germany, co-hosted with UAH and Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, to which we invited students, alumni, U.S-based German businesses and other partners to learn about career options with a German component.

Expert pitches and networking

Michael Johnson, Honorary German Consul in Alabama

David Berkowitz, Dean of the UAH Graduate School, opened the event with warm words of welcome. Michael Johnson, Honorary Consul of Germany in Alabama (pictured), delivered introductory remarks, followed by Patrizia Nobbe, Director of the UAS7 Liaison Office in New York, who welcomed the audience on behalf of all co-hosts. We were fortunate to have Nicole Heimann, Director of the Skills Initiative at the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, deliver notes on German industry and business landscape in Alabama, and the partnerships in existence. She also served as our moderator and presented a surprise guest: UAH alumnus Nathanial Long -and also an alumn of the UAS7 exchange programs in Germany- joined in via Skype. He talked about his exceedingly positive experiences with the exchange and what he got out of it, both professionally and personally.

Nathanial was followed by UAH Professor Brian Landrum (Associate Chair and Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and Nicole Hughes (Director of Study abroad), who introduced some of the existing programs students may apply for to gain international experience and exposure.

The Business Side

Mark Becnel, President of RadioBro Corporation

The moderator then turned to our panelists, who were sitting among the audience, and asked each of them, why they made it a point to dedicate some of their time to come speak at this event. This gave them opportunity to present and describe their companies. They are all interested in working with the universities and with students, and since all invited companies have German roots or German connections, they emphasized the importance of internationalization or language skills. The latter point was actually up for debate, with some of the speakers emphasizing that one may also have a successful career in a German company in the US or even in Germany, if German language skills are not your best asset.

In a second round of questions, the speakers discussed career steps and options at their companies, offered advise, contacts and an open door – always. Since the format encouraged networking, the reception was opened right after, to give the students as well as the audiences time to follow-up with those speakers who offered the most interesting opportunities to them.

Successful kick-off

About 50 students, alumni and business representatives followed the invitation and showed great interest in exchange and career opportunities in Germany and at German companies based in the U.S. The format proved very successful. It allowed for active exchange of information in a setting that encouraged conversation between panelists and the audience.

Thank you to all our speakers, project partners and sponsors for making this event a huge success: Alabama Germany Partnership, Bocar US, abat AG, RadioBro Corporation, REHAU, German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., German Centre for Research and Innovation New York, Goethe Institut, Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie, Federal Foreign Office.

UAS7 is looking forward to the upcoming Employability (made) in Germany events in Evansville, Indiana, Wichita, Kansas, Clemson, South Carolina and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All upcoming Events.