Last academic year, CIEM counted 358 outgoing students, a new record that indicates a steadily growing interest among students in gaining experience abroad.
But the fact that a semester or internship abroad, which is firmly anchored in students’ academic careers, is not only a success factor for starting a career and increasing career opportunities, but primarily a valuable experience for the rest of their lives, is evidenced by the many feedback comments we receive.
“Organizing myself in a completely new environment, mastering challenges independently and surpassing myself in the process.”
When students plan their semester abroad, they are accompanied by CIEM, closely supported by IStA, and advised by their degree program on course planning. Everything else has to be organized by themselves, from visas to finding accommodation, which for many is a big step towards independence, but also into the unknown. However, this courage is richly rewarded by a wealth of experiences.
For most students, new international friendships are the greatest enrichment and often last a lifetime. They have experienced a lot together and overcome many hurdles: finding their way around a completely different university environment, learning a foreign language, and overcoming cultural barriers. Their self-confidence has grown and they have learned how important flexibility, initiative, and openness are.
A semester abroad pushes many out of their comfort zone, and such an experience has a lasting impact. When will you ever again experience so many new things and be able to travel so freely?
“I am very grateful to have had this adventure and to be able to realize my dreams. It was the best time of my life and… oh yes, cappuccino for €1.50! (in the city I didn’t actually want to go to).”
Created using quotes from student feedback from summer semester 2025.