“...there are no differences between German and Russian student life...”

On August 29, 2014 the students of the Faculty of Heat Engineering of Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University graduated from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Wolfenbüttel (Germany).

It was the second group of students of the Faculty of Heat Engineering who completed the binational program and got two degrees - Russian and German. Timofey Kruglov and Alexey Kolesnikov shared their impressions with us.

“During these two semesters we’ve got to know the student life in another country, we have met a lot of friends. We realized that student life in Germany is no different from Russian. Of course, there are some differences in the way of life, but in general, everything is based on similar principles.

We wouldn’t say that studying was easy for us: the biggest problem was studying in a foreign language. Except this, it was a bit easier than in Russia. Perhaps, the reason of that is more specific and practical education in Ostfalia, while at Kalashnikov State Technical University the area of subjects is wider.

Exams have another system: a lot of questions, more than in Russia, but no one needs a detailed answer. Besides, during the study and session, we always got help from students and professors. After our diplomas were written, our neighbors in the dormitory helped with difficult German grammar.

Our theses defence went well and was successful: it was about 45 minutes, but our supervisors didn’t fall asleep. After the presentation they asked about 10 simple questions. Also, on our defence there were some students with only one remark - we didn’t smile.

German students just as Russians - are very active and cheerful people. Some of them are excellent in study, some students have problems with it, some of them are active and some quiet. They have more freedom at forming their schedule and university life. For example, students are responsible for sport sections, also they have payment for that. Parties and other activities are organized by the student’s group AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss), which has departments in all German universities since the 19^th century. Also there is an old student community “Die Burschenschaft Erica”, where students keep and save all old German traditions. It’s easier for students from this community to get a job, because almost in all companies there are graduates from “Die Burschenschaft Erica”.

We really liked to study in at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences. We are sure that this experience will be really useful in future. International relationships between universities will become stronger and the next group of students will get the same positive emotions.

We would like to thank our Faculty of Heat Engineering for the possibility of participation in this program.”

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Last Updated on Friday, 12 September 2014 16:18