Today, we are interviewing Lena,* a student from Switzerland who recently completed her exchange year in Heidelberg, Germany. Lena shares her experiences and lessons learned during her time abroad.
Interviewer: Alright, Lena. Did you hold any stereotypes about Germans before your exchange that turned out to be completely wrong—or accurate?
Lena: (laughs) I had quite a few stereotypes about Germany. I thought Germans would be very punctual, organized, and strict. Instead, I found them to be a bit disorganized, and the Deutsche Bahn was often very unpunctual. Everyone was so nice and helpful. I didn’t expect them to be so welcoming. I had the stereotype that Germans were a little reserved and very direct. But already on my first train ride to Heidelberg, a lady sitting next to me started chatting with me. She gave me recommendations on what to visit. She was really lovely.
Interviewer: Heidelberg is a very historic city. What’s your favorite spot in the city that every student should check out?
Lena: I really enjoyed visiting the Student Prison and the Alte Aula. It’s free if you’re a student at the University of Heidelberg. Otherwise, I’d definitely recommend the castle, of course. During the warmer months, I often went up there to read.
Interviewer: Heidelberg is a popular destination for international students. What do you think makes it such a great place to study abroad?
Lena: It’s not that big, and it’s home to a great university. If I’m not mistaken, it’s also one of the youngest cities in Germany, if not the youngest. It feels very familiar. I also think Germany, in general, is a fantastic place to study. Compared to Switzerland, student dorms, trains, and food—especially in the cafeteria—are very affordable.
Interviewer: What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced during your time in Germany?
Lena: Finding accommodation—it’s really tough in Heidelberg. Initially, I found a room in a shared flat in Mannheim. My flatmates were amazing, but the commuting was a lot.
Interviewer: What’s something you’ve learned about yourself while living in Germany?
Lena: I think I learned a lot by picking up new hobbies. I started bouldering a lot—even though I’m afraid of heights. (Laughs) Yes, as a Swiss. Bouldering really helped me feel more at ease. I also tried kayaking, which was amazing. I’ve realized how important it is to try new things in life. You meet new people. Especially with bouldering—it feels like being part of a whole community.
Interviewer: Did you find it easier to connect with people in those communities compared to, say, meeting classmates?
Lena: Oh yeah, definitely. I didn’t make many friends in class because most people already had their established friend groups. Plus, some of them commute from far away or have always lived in the area and already have a set routine. They’re not really interested in hanging out after class—they just want to get home as quickly as possible. But honestly, I think I am the same at home.
Interviewer: That makes sense. Have you found it easier to bond with fellow international students, or were there mostly locals in those bouldering and kayaking groups?
Lena: To be honest, I mostly bonded with international students. The bouldering group was primarily made up of international students too. The University of Heidelberg organizes a few trips for international students at an affordable price each semester, and I actually met my best friends on one of those bus trips.
Interviewer: Was there a specific trip that stood out to you as particularly memorable?
Lena: Oh, definitely! The trip where I really found my friend group was the one to Strasbourg for the Christmas market. You can actually travel to Strasbourg with the Deutschlandticket, so it’s very accessible. I’d highly recommend going—Strasbourg is such a beautiful city. That day was special because it was when I felt like I’d finally found my friend group.
Interviewer: What’s the most memorable thing you and your friend group did?
Lena: We were a very multicultural group and loved sharing our cultures with each other. One of the most memorable moments was a picnic by the Neckar, where each of us brought home-cooked meals from our countries. We also celebrated festivals together, like Diwali.
Interviewer: What dish did you bring for Swiss cuisine? And how did celebrating something like Diwali expand your perspective?
Lena: I made St. Galler Klostertorte. I think you understand a foreign culture better when you celebrate their traditions. For Diwali, I got to try painting henna myself, which I really enjoyed. I also wore a saree and helped with the cooking. It was so much fun.
Interviewer: If you could give one piece of advice to someone preparing for their exchange year in Heidelberg, what would it be?
Lena: If you’ve sorted out your accommodation, you’re good to go. After that, I’d recommend joining ESN events. Just go for it– push yourself to talk to people. If you don’t make an effort to meet others, you won’t make friends.
Interviewer: Thanks, Lena!
Lena: No worries, it was fun!
* name changed