By Reuben van Kampen

Highlights of an Experience of a Lifetime

While rather broad, the highlights of my exchange have been the friendships and connections I’ve made, and the experience I’ve had the pleasure of having. Throwing yourself into the deep end in a new environment is one of the best ways to make new connections, and moving across to the opposite side of the world has to one of the deepest ends possible. However, of course being a university with many others in your situation, the international office makes it a priority that your welcome to Münster is a gateway to beginning the experience of a lifetime, and this is something they certainly achieved. The initial connections I made within my first week led to friendships that would lead to memories together such as Oktoberfest, football, travel, and the odd party here and there. I also opted into playing hockey with a local German club where I had the opportunity to broaden my connections with your local everyday Germans which provided greater insights into the culture which I had immersed myself in. 

Not Without Its Challenges 

However, this experience did not come without its challenges. Accommodation for anyone in Münster is scarce and highly sought after, making finding a roof over your head as a student difficult, and for an international student especially so. The university unfortunately does not provide its own halls of residence, but there are private companies associated with the university that provide apartments for students. Despite being on waitlists for such companies for 6 months prior to my departure, a room never popped up.  Fortunately, I was able to find a flat through a private listing where I was able to stay for the duration of the semester.
Münster is a one of a kind city in its history and people and I have no regrets in my decision, but its accommodation situation is an issue. My advice to anyone interested is to start as early as you can, at least 6 months, in applying for both student accommodation and private flats and other residences. 

Another challenge I faced during my time abroad was adjusting to a different culture with new customs and more significantly a new language. As one would naturally expect, moving to a country where you do not fluently speak the language comes with its challenges – ordering food is different, introductions are different, but that was all a part of the experience I signed up for. Playing hockey was another way to test myself as all the trainings and team communications were in German. This was a great chance for me to regularly put my German to the test and it was surprising for me to see how my German had developed over the semester. Learning a new language from scratch to prepare for my exchange has been a great learning experience and something that I had never really done before, but is something I encourage to put you out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new cultures and customs. 

All for the Better

As was the goal with my exchange, it has really placed me outside of my comfort zone and challenged me in ways that a semester at Waikato simply could not. Having to deal with studying for exams that are worth your entire grade was something dreadful but exciting; having to adjust to an entirely new learning system and environment was a refreshing experience in a nerve racking way; and experiencing a new way of life for over half a year was an opportunity I’ll never forget. 

Having my exchange in Europe also presented the opportunity to further travel, which I openly embraced. Not only did I see more of what Germany had to offer, but also Europe as a whole. From the war torn Sarajevo to the serene Plitvice Lakes and the paradise of Mykonos, without the opportunity for an exchange semester I would not have met the people I had, and seen the places I’ve seen, and for this opportunity I will be eternally grateful.