From Remagen to the World: Alles Gut!

Hello everyone! I’m Abhiram, a Master of Business Administration student from Pondicherry University, India. This exchange semester opportunity came into my life very quickly, and I wasn’t fully prepared for it. However, at this point, I can confidently say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The experiences I have gained over the past few months here have been truly remarkable and unforgettable.

I still remember my initial days here in Remagen; everything felt new, and I quickly fell in love with it. The team at Sprachen/Internationales was incredibly supportive and welcoming. I met amazing people from Australia, Turkey, Georgia, Albania, Germany, and South Korea, forming lifelong friendships. My German buddy, Ilja, was simply amazing and always helped me learn and navigate new experiences. I am a fully satisfied recipient of the Buddy Program at RAC. Additionally, I learned about different cultures through conversations with my international friends and cultural nights hosted by students from various nationalities.

While my exchange program was primarily focused on cultural immersion, it also provided me with valuable academic opportunities. I personally enjoyed the teaching style here, which was completely different from what I had experienced in India. Instead of merely absorbing the content of the lecturers' PowerPoints, we engaged in many quality discussions in class. I had never participated in classroom discussions with such enthusiasm before. Every student was heard and encouraged to share their opinions, which helped me overcome my biggest insecurity: public speaking. I have become more confident in my abilities and learned to step outside my comfort zone.

Additionally, the internship gave me firsthand experience in a real workplace, teaching me how to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks. I am confident that these experiences will be incredibly beneficial in my future career.

Traveling to new places has always been an integral part of my life. During my free time, I traveled extensively both inside and outside Germany. I visited major German cities like Berlin, Koblenz, Cologne, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Additionally, I explored 17 different countries, including Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and Hungary, among others.

During my stay, I also fulfilled a childhood dream. Since I was a child, I have been a huge fan of the Spanish football club Barcelona. I was able to visit the city of Barcelona, their stadium Spotify Camp Nou, and their museum. I will never, ever forget that day in my life.
Germany, and Europe as a whole, have given me a new perspective on life. I am profoundly grateful to my home institution, Pondicherry University, and the faculty coordinators at RheinAhrCampus for providing me with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a semester abroad. Now, I can confidently say that I will return to India as a much better person, enriched with many quality experiences and learnings.