All in.

Are 24h enough to give up your old life? Do you like to keep things under your control? Do you enjoy sitting in your comfort zone? Keep on reading then.

Hi, my name is Beris and I am a computer science student from Tirana, Albania. Rewinding, my whole experience began on a Thursday when I met a German professor who presented me with the study opportunity at RAC. I had never been on an Exchange abroad and as a senior year master student this would be my last chance for this kind of experience. Needless to say, I applied immediately and on Friday night I received an email saying I was selected. During the next 24h I quit my job amid controversy, broke up with my girlfriend, packed my luggage with what I could find and booked a plane ticket 4 hours before flight that costed me a fortune. But as with everything planned on the go, problems just kept on coming. Once arriving in Germany, I found out I did not have a place to stay. So for the first night I stayed in a hostel and the next one at an exchange friend until the first landlord from the 1000 ones we contacted responded. That is how I ended up in a different city from my new friends and at a place I could barely afford. The next day I found out Visa procedures for Albanians couldn’t be completed in Germany as with other nationalities. We called and emailed most German Embassies near Remagen but unfortunately going back home was the only way out. So, I went back home twice until I managed to have my beloved visa. However, all struggles didn’t stop me from enjoying my Erasmus to the fully. I met people from many different nationalities which were there with me through all the problems and that now I consider family (Brazil, Jordan, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Australia, Georgia, Netherlands & Germany). I took part in every party while running out of breath in order to catch the last train home. Survived eating nothing but frozen pizzas for 5 months in row. Explored half of Europe and got lost countless of times by taking the wrong trains. 40h+ bus rides across the continent and flights booked just a couple of hours before taking off became now a normality. Had a useless debit card which made me spent several nights in train stations. Fast forward and to be honest I can say it was not never what I had ever expected. The whole experience was messed up but it challenged me every single day and grew me in ways I would never imagine. Sincerely, If I had the chance I would do it all over again.
Oh, and my departure had to fit the rest of the adventure, so I will be returning to Germany again to get my baggages and the deposit which my landlord is refusing to transfer. Till then, wish you farewell.