Parents and Guardians

Your son or daughter is about to embark on a unique journey – a year studying at an exchange university in a foreign country.   This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, both on a personal as well as an academic level.  (See section: Why do a Year Abroad?)

All our partner universities have been thoroughly evaluated to ensure that sufficient support for our students is available on-site. At UCC the Department of German has personal contacts with all our partner universities and any problems that arise can usually be dealt with quickly. For a full list of our partner universities, please check UCC’s International Office website. Most of our students embrace the Year Abroad experience with open arms, and some understandably are anxious about it. There may be challenges, particularly in the early days getting settled in, however this is an opportunity to learn and have new positive experiences in a supported environment. Study Abroad is an integral part of the curriculum, and while we check and verify academic standards, the workload is perhaps not as fulsome as at home – this gives students the opportunity to work on the language and to become immersed in the culture. Please support and encourage your son or daughter as they make their way through the challenges and experience the many triumphs that a year abroad ultimately brings.

Our own experience of being abroad combined with years of dealing with students before, during and after the Study Abroad have shown us that the benefits of the year abroad far outweigh any perceived challenges.  We have found that students who engage with us and the support offered abroad can overcome their anxiety or lack of confidence, and go on to thoroughly enjoy and be hugely enriched by the experience. Study Abroad is also a very attractive and sought after dimension for prospective employers.

There is a great deal of support offered at all our exchange universities for incoming students, and there will be many other Erasmus+ students in precisely the same situation. If your child is experiencing fears associated with the year abroad, please check our sections on this website entitled Are you Anxious about the Year Abroad? and Preparing for the Year Abroad, which provide practical tips and ways to overcome fears, deal with day to day challenges, as well as advice regarding the planning and preparation for the trip. If your son or daughter is preoccupied with the desire to go to a specific university, we are of the view that the location does not fundamentally affect the year abroad experience.  Each student has individual preferences, but the essential infrastructure of support, access to courses, etc., is in place at all our exchange universities.  There is plenty of time for addressing issues in advance, should they arise, in the time between the allocation of places (usually in December) and the actual departure date. Please encourage your son or daughter to embrace the year abroad with an open mind and a positive attitude.

Health

If your child has health issues, please be reassured: The health system in Germany and Austria is excellent.  For information on health insurance while abroad, please see information from UCC International Education office: https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/goabroadwithucc/.  

Finance

The Erasmus grant varies per country and for period spent abroad. Students thinking of participating in the Erasmus+ programme should weigh up the cost factor against the inestimable value of living and studying in a European university in terms of their personal and academic development, and  enhanced job prospects. More information on grants can be found UCC International Education office: https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/goabroadwithucc/.

Why do a Year Abroad?

For BComm International, BA International students BEd Gaeilge and European Studies, study abroad is a compulsory element of your degree.  Arts students may decide to switch to the BA International programme in order to do a year abroad as long as they fulfil certain criteria.  Contact the BA International programme director for more information.

Study abroad will improve your language skills.  You will meet and become friends with people from many different countries and cultures while you are there, as well as surviving and thriving in a German–speaking environment.  Our students come home from their year abroad more confident in themselves and in their language ability, they become much more independent and adaptable, they develop the ability to operate in a culture other than their own and communicate with people from these cultures, as well as an understanding of how other cultures work.  All of these skills are much in demand on the job market, and they are skills which you will not develop as easily or quickly by staying in Ireland.   

If you are thinking that you want to get out of college as quickly as possible and get a job – Your chances of getting a job are much higher having done study abroad.  Your whole life ahead of you will be full of responsibilities and commitments that will be very hard to get out of, once begun.  Now is the time for exciting new experiences, travel, meeting people, and all that study abroad entails.

By doing study abroad you will considerably improve your chances of employment.  Companies based in Ireland cannot find enough German speakers in Ireland and sometimes have to recruit from mainland Europe.  There are ready-made jobs available in sales, marketing, tourism, call centres and computers/IT for graduates who speak German competently.

One German HR representative remarked to us recently:  “We are not interested in where they spent their year abroad, but we are interested in what they achieved during that year.”

If you are anxious about doing a year abroad, consult our section on this.  Don’t deny yourself this amazing opportunity because of this fear.  Have faith in yourself and your ability to pull through the fears.  

It is worth reading what others say about why you should do a year abroad:

St Andrews - Why do a year abroad? 

A note for students thinking about going into teaching:  You will be much better equipped having done a full year abroad.  The role of a teacher is not only to teach the material itself, in this case the language, but also to teach about the culture, and to demonstrate and impart a passion for the subject you teach.  It is highly recommended that you experience the culture first-hand and speak the language in a living context for an extended period before you begin a teacher training course. 

Making your Decision about where to go

When you are making your decision, remember that the location is secondary.  Whether you have a good year depends entirely on what you yourself make of it.  All of our exchange universities have been approved by us and offer excellent academic opportunities as well as a good selection of language courses.  Many of these exchanges have been in place for many years.

When you are thinking about which university you should apply for, it is worth thinking about some of the following:

Academic considerations

Does the university offer a sufficient range of courses in your second subject?

What are your plans for final year?  Do you plan to specialize and are there courses you should be taking during your year abroad which would enhance your profile for final year?

What are your plans for after graduation?  If you are planning to apply for postgraduate courses, check whether there are any prerequisites which may affect your choice of university and subjects for your year abroad.

Personal considerations

Would I prefer a big city or smaller town?  A bigger city may appear to be more fun with lots going on, but can sometimes be too ‘international’ and therefore provide less opportunity to speak and learn the language your are studying.  Smaller locations generally provide more opportunities to learn and integrate.

Would I feel better in a large university or a medium/small one? 

Is the possibility of a part-time job important? (In some locations finding a part time job is very difficult)

Housing:  Would I prefer private accommodation or a student residence? 

Student residences generally cost less than private accommodation, but private accommodation affords better opportunity for integration and improving yourlanguage skills.  In some cities it can be more difficult and take more time to find private accommodation.  It is very important that you check this out before you make final decisions, and factor it in to your financial considerations.  Some universities in Germany have a service for foreign students whereby local students going abroad make their room / apartment available for the use of a foreign student coming over for the same length of time (rental costs still apply).  Each individual Studentenwerk can tell you whether they offer this. 

If you are thinking about getting private accommodation, check this website:  http://www.housinganywhere.com/, which was recommended to UCC by the International Office of the one of our exchange universities, but can be used for many cities in Germany and Austria. 

Preparing for your Year Abroad

• • At least one month ahead, make absolutely sure you have done everything you need and confirmed your accommodation, your place on pre-semester language course, renewed passport if need be in plenty of time.  Finding you do not have a valid passport for travel one week before you leave will not help you to have a peaceful and smooth transition.
  • Before you go, check out venues relevant to your personal interests, e.g. music – check out live music venues, opera house, concert schedules, festivals, dance venues/discos/clubs. Or Sport – check out Hochschulsport/extracurricular/clubs and societies for your Uni.
  • Sign up for a buddy. The Buddy system is specifically designed to help new foreign students to settle in.  They can collect your room key, show you around the university and campus, explain how things work, where everything is, help with opening bank accounts, sometimes even meet you at the airport.  This is also a great way to get a direct line to what the locals do, where is cool to go, academic info etc.
  • Sign up for tandem.  Tandem learning is an arrangement between two people who each want to learn/improve the language of the other.  So you would pair up with a speaker of the local language who wants to improve their English, and help each other out. Arrange your own meetings, do things you both want to do.  Another great way to get a direct line to what the locals do, where is cool to go, academic info etc.
  • Before you leave home, check Google Maps:  Locate your accommodation registration, classrooms/campus, library, Mensa/student restaurants etc. 
  • Check public transportoptions online and plan travel routes by bus/tram/metro/on foot to the places you need to go.
  • Before you leave home, check Street Viewfor all the above.  Also, say you arrive in your city by train – check the view from the front of the train station.  Then it will not be so strange and unfamiliar when you arrive.  Check your accommodation, place of registration, classrooms/campus, library, Mensa/student restaurants.  At least you will recognise buildings you are looking for and not get lost and disoriented – this can be very off-putting, so avoid it.
  • Check Street Viewfor every important location or event for the first two weeks so you can recognise where you need to go.
  • Plan every tiny step of arrival– book flight, how to get from plane to train, how to get from train station to hostel 1^st night, how to get to your accommodation to collect key, how to get to the correct office to register for University, how to get to the bank to open bank account, how to get to pre-semester language course classroom, etc.
  • Plan mini-conversationsfor each important event – open bank account, registration, opening conversation with fellow student in lecture/accommodation, conversation with lecturer etc.  What will you need to say to them?  What vocabulary will you need?  What are they likely to ask you?  Prepare vocabulary and things you or the other person might say.
  • Choose your courses together with someone who is going to same University.
  • Get the emails of the other UCC students going to your University and stay in touch with them. Arrange for someone who is there before you to meet you from the train/plane, or for coffee, or for dinner first night.  Why not travel together with them?  Book the same flights etc.
  • Find a student (now, when you are in 2^ndyear at UCC) from that University who is currently spending their Erasmus+ year at UCC.

Are you anxious about the Year Abroad?

Overcoming your Fears

What specifically are you afraid of?  Be very specific and write down what these fears are.  Then devise practical strategies to overcome each one.

Talk to a final year who has gone through this – how did they deal with it?

You are probably thinking only about the awful things about being abroad.  But your study abroad  might be a wonderful experience. 

What is the Worst Case Scenario?

• You won’t like your housemates – Find friends elsewhere – classes, activities, part-time job.
• You won’t understand lectures – This takes time and happens to everyone.  Be patient.
• No one will understand you - This also takes time.  Be patient.
• You won’t make friends – You have to make an effort and take small risks in talking to people.  It will ultimately pay off.
• You are not close to your UCC classmates going to that university – You may not know them well now, but you might find they are really nice people and can be solid, reliable friends if you give them a chance.
• You might miss your family and friends – For the first while maybe, but there are plenty of very nice people at the university where you will be.
• You might miss all the fun going on without you at UCC – there is plenty of fun to be had at universities abroad too, and lots of things there that you can’t do at all in Ireland, as well as many more that you can do much more easily and cheaply abroad.
• You won’t get your job back when you come home – Is the job at the corner shop / at the till in Super-Valu really worth staying home for? 
• You want to get out of college as quickly as possible and get a job – Your chances of getting a job are much higher having done a year abroad.  Your whole life ahead of you will be full of responsibilities and commitments that will be very hard to get out of, once begun.  Now is the time for exciting new experiences, travel, meeting people, and all that a study abroad entails.

Don’t deny yourself this amazing opportunity because of this fear.  Have faith in yourself and your ability to pull through the fears.   If you can get through the 1^st week, you can get through another week, and another, and another. It only gets easier.

Check out our section on Testimonials from UCC students.

Tips for making the most of your Year Abroad

Some Thoughts on the Year Abroad…

• You only get out of the year what you put into it.  You must make an effort to work on your language skills for them to improve, and you are responsible for your progression. This will require a personal commitment.
• There will be administrative tasks and many things to do at the beginning – be prepared for this, but also be patient.  After a few weeks of settling in you will feel more relaxed and comfortable in your new environment.  Inform yourself as much as you can before you go as to which courses are on offer, when you need to sign up for them, how and when they will be assessed.
• Make the effort to meet local students and talk the language to everyone – be firm about this, in some countries the local people love to practise their English.  Keep in mind that you have paid a lot of money and made sacrifices to study in abroad.  Be resolute about insisting on speaking the language you are there to study. You will not be considered rude, but merely a straight-talker, and you will know who wishes to just meet you to speak English and who would like to be your friend.
• Social and study habits formed at the beginning are likely to continue throughout the year - form the right habits from the beginning.  It may be more comfortable at the start to stick with your Irish pals but this will do nothing for your linguistic skills, or bring into contact with native speakers.  Go out on a limb and make a big effort to meet people and cultivate friendships with speakers of the local language right from the start.  It may help to start a hobby or join a club.  Avoid working in the Irish pub.  Having local friends can be a big help in keeping up to date on developments in courses, also forming project groups, as well as giving you an inside track on the social scene.  Remember your priority is to learn the language.
• You will encounter cultural differences.  Stay open as to the reasons why things happen or why people act/react a certain way.  Remember that your judgement of it is very much influenced by your expectations and the way things operate in your own culture.  Be open to other explanations.  Adapt your expectations and keep an open mind!
• You are representing yourself, UCC and Ireland.  People often form an impression of an entire population based on one encounter with one person or group of people.  Bear this in mind in your dealings with people.
• Avoid setting up a job at home for the Easter/Summer break.  Get a job there or go travelling.  Remember:  there are two approx 14 week semesters. If you come home for the whole Easter break and immediately at the start of the summer break, you will have spent 7 months in the country, not one year.  Remember your priority is to learn the language, not English. 
• We have seen several students lift their grades from almost-fail in second year to First Class Hons across the board for language in final year.  You all have the potential to achieve this.
• This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, make the most of it.

Make the most of your Study Abroad – how to improve your language

Your language skills will not improve simply by osmosis, you have to work at it.  You will need to seek out the right opportunities and expose yourself to as much language as you can. 

We have seen students struggle to pass their second year language module, then return after their year abroad with almost perfect language skills and get First Class honours in their final year language exams.  Most people are academically capable of this leap.  However, it does require a special attitude of openness, a willingness to take constructive criticism and learn from it, and a willingness to stick your neck out and grab all the opportunities with both hands.

You must make an effort to work on your  language skills for them to improve, and you are responsible for your progression. This will require a personal commitment.

Our Partner Universities and UCC Coordinators

Coordinator for the BA International Year Abroad and BA World Languages is Dr Emma Riordan, emma.riordan@ucc.ie. 

Coordinators for the BA Comm International Year Abroad are Dr Claire O'Reilly, claire.oreilly@ucc.ie and Ms Siobhan Mortell s.mortell@ucc.ie

UCC International Office representative is Clare Murphy claremurphy@ucc.ie

BA International and World Languages students may go to the following universities:

• Bonn
• Hannover
• Köln
• Konstanz
• Leipzig
• Marburg
• Erlangen
• Rostock
• Göttingen
  

BComm International students may go to:

• Konstanz
• Rostock
• Bayreuth
• Klagenfurt Click here for Uni Klagenfurt information video 
• Jena
• Regensburg
• Passau
• Leipzig

European Studies students may go to:

• München
• Bonn
• Konstanz

Year Abroad Links

Studying in Germany, Austria, Switzerland 

http://www.studying-in-germany.org/ 

Vocalproject   excellent resource with practical information and tips on travel, accommodation, emergencies, socialising, working in Germany, as well as specialist topics.

JustLanded   Useful practical tips for organising your year abroad.

DAAD guide to studying in Germany

Study-in-Austria 
incl study programmes, scholarships & funding, practical information. English version here 

Language Courses in Germany

• Goethe Institute listings
• IIK Düsseldorf
• DAAD listings
• DAAD Scholarships for language courses
• Humboldt Institut courses

Our Partner Universities and UCC Coordinators

Coordinator for the BA International Year Abroad and BA World Languages is Dr Emma Riordan, emma.riordan@ucc.ie. 

Coordinators for the BA Comm Int'l Year Abroad are Ms Siobhan Mortell s.mortell@ucc.ie and Dr Claire O'Reilly, claire.oreilly@ucc.ie

UCC International Office representative is Clare Murphy claremurphy@ucc.ie

BA International and World Languages students may go to the following universities:

• Bonn 
• Hannover 
• Köln 
• Konstanz 
• Leipzig 
• Marburg 
• Erlangen 
• Rostock 
• Göttingen
  

BComm International students may go to:

• Konstanz 
• Rostock
• Bayreuth 
• Klagenfurt  Click here for Uni Klagenfurt information video 
• Jena
• Regensburg
• Passau
• Leipzig 

European Studies students may go to:

• München
• Bonn 
• Konstanz

Year Abroad Links

Studying in Germany, Austria, Switzerland 

http://www.studying-in-germany.org/ 

Susannah's Blog - choc-full of excellent information and advice on getting a room, bureaucracy, banks, health insurance, phone, and much more.

Vocalproject   excellent resource with practical information and tips on travel, accommodation, emergencies, socialising, working in Germany, as well as specialist topics.

JustLanded   Useful practical tips for organising your year abroad.

Studentenseite.de 

DAAD guide to studying in Germany

DAAD listings for internships

Hochschulkompass 
Information on Universities and study opportunities in Germany. 

Deutscher Bildungsserver 
Everything on the German education System, statistics, insititutes, short descriptions of courses of study available in Germany and info on their locations 

Studentenwerke.de 
Accommodation in Germany - links to the Homepages of all Studentenwerke 


Study-in-Austria 
incl study programmes, scholarships & funding, practical information. English version here 

DW World 
includes a good section on studying in Germany 

Deutsche-Kultur-International 
Information on German schools abroad, German language programmes, Youth Exchange, Media, study in Germany, foreign academics in Germany and much more 

Deutsche-Kultur-International 
List of organizations of Foreign cultural Work 

udaba.de
Website with the 1000 best known German companies for those who wish to do an internship/traineeship or are writing a thesis with a company. Listed by sector, location, subject area or work area.

www.thirdyearabroad.com
a website dedicated to Third Year Abroad, includes information on study as well as working and much more.

http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/wnd/deindex.htm?wt_sc=mwnd - getting started in Germany, living in Germany, learning German, Bureaucracy, Where to find help if needed, FAQs and a glossary.

Language Courses in Germany

• Goethe Institute listings 
• IIK Düsseldorf  
• DAAD listings 
• DAAD Scholarships for language courses 
• Humboldt Institut courses 
• Carl Duisburg Gesellschaft courses
• Actilingua (Vienna)
• Learning Events (Austria)
• Deutschakademie