From Daegu to Hawaii: Studying abroad despite the pandemic

From Daegu to Hawaii

Studying abroad despite the pandemic – it is possible, as two H-BRS students report

H-BRS is known for its international outlook. 92 partner universities around the world, numerous international cooperation projects and worldwide academic exchange speak a clear language. But the pandemic has made many things more difficult – including the semester abroad.

Semester in South Korea

And yet international exchange worked. In summer semester of 2021, only six students came to H-BRS from abroad, while 18 went from there to study or complete an internship in another country. After that, the numbers increased noticeably. As early as winter semester of 2021/22, 40 international students were again studying at the university‘s three locations, while 93 H-BRS students were spread out across the globe. Business psychology student Ana Loew Gil was one of them. She attended Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea from August to December 2021. “In public spaces, you always had to wear a mask and were only allowed to be with a maximum of four people. Depending on the course size, some lectures took place online. Restaurants, bars and sights were open irregularly,” recounts the seventh-semester student. Her biggest challenge, however, was the 14-day quarantine immediately upon arrival. But the semester in the foreign country was a complete success, says Ana Loew Gil. “I had a great time in Korea and am very glad that I decided to spend a semester abroad there. I learned a lot about Korean history and culture, and I grew personally.”

A semester in South Korea: Ana Loew Gil immerses herself in the nature and culture of her host country Unforgettable experience

Business Management student Jonatan Zieger became acquainted with a completely different culture. He spent a semester at the Hawai‘i Pacific University in Honolulu. For him, too, not everything went according to plan due to the pandemic. “The application process was the biggest hurdle because many documents were difficult to obtain due to COVID-19 – the entry visa and the DAAD language certificate, for instance.” But the effort was worth it, says Zieger. “I focused on International Management and learned a lot about topics such as small businesses and corporate law.” Moreover, Hawaii is a magical place and perfect for enjoying nature. “My semester was an unforgettable experience,” says the Bachelor’s student.