Nicollas Freitas, Aerospace Engineering
The view of Germany by a Brazilian guy
Before going to Germany, I was worried about where I was going to live. It's not easy for me to start living with people that I don't know, so in the end, I chose an accommodation that a guy from my home university was going to reside. Compared to other places it was a bit expensive (around 370 euros), but it was worth it, I meet other 10 people from different parts of the world and the cultural exchange was very cool.
During the first weeks my main issue was doing all the formalities to live in Germany legally and without problems, but I was a little lost on where to go, how to apply, and other things. My buddy helped me a lot by giving me instructions, and I got everything I needed.
In the first days living in Germany when I was going to buy food, I always compared the prices of food between Germany and Brazil and ended buying cheap food. After some time I ended buying foods that I was familiar with in Brazil, and I knew how to cook. I had only a few opportunities to try the German culinary, like the "Bratwurst" or "Weisswurst" and it tastes really well.
Around December, the temperature started to drop a lot, to -4 -2 degrees. In Brazil where I live, usually, the temperature doesn't go under 10 degrees, and I was not habituated to it. Inside the buildings with a heater, it was no problem, but it was really difficult for me to go outside in the first days of cold.
Another difference that exists between both countries is that the people in Brazil smile more, they seem nicer. People in Germany, in general, look more serious and introverted.
I think that almost all my experience was affected by the Corona situation. I had the chance to visit some museums in the early days of my stay in Ingolstadt and I went to Munich a few times to visit different parts of the city, however later when I tried to travel around Germany it was very difficult to do it. I tried to visit an important historic museum located in Dachau but after arriving it was closed. Some friends and I were planning to travel to Greece as well. After checking about how Greece was dealing with foreign people we decided not to go.
It was my first time traveling abroad and the fear made me prepare myself really well. Buying a SIM-Card before going to Germany was crucial for me because I could contact my family and locate myself in places that didn't have wi-fi. A thing that I didn't know before trying to call one, is that in Ingolstadt "Uber" is not common and you need to rely on taxis. After noticing that I contact my buddy and he called a taxi to pick me up at the train station.
Regarding the university, I was worried because THI only has a final exam for each subject, in my home university each subject has at least two exams that if I didn't go so well in one, I can try to improve my grade on the second one. The fact that the grade would be in only one exam scared me.
I got 7 subjects, one of them German A2, to get all the ECTS that I need for the exchange program. I tried to get subjects that are related to my degree but I couldn't anything at all, I ended with subjects that I found interesting and only 3 of them I could validate in my home university, which are: Computer Science, Business Administration, and Automation Technologies.
Corona effect as well the classes that I took, I only had two presential classes and after that everything was online. It was my first online class and took me a while to get used to it.
Henrique Takamori, Automotive Engineering
My experience at THI and Ingolstadt
Differently, I was imagining, Bavaria is a bit warmer and cozier than it seems, especially at the end of summer, the period that I arrived. During my short stay at Ingolstadt, I lived in a place called Schäffbräus, where I made many good friends. The accommodations are good even though different I am habituated in Brazil. Also, the rent is a little bit more expensive I was planning, but I am sure it worth it. The formalities are a point that requires special attention.
There are many things I needed to get like health insurance, residence permit, visa, German bank account, payment of some taxes, enrollment at THI, and others. Differently from many other countries, Germany still uses extensive post mail. The majority of documents come by post mail. About the basic necessities of students, I strongly recommend searching for the best prices in different markets because the price can change a lot. How I noticed, there are many differences between Germany and Brasil, however, none of these differences are more remarkable than the introspective culture. But perhaps this is a consequence of the social distancing that the situation requires.
Unfortunately, travel and touristic points were closed due to the actual situation. Anyhow, I could visit some beautiful points in Ingolstadt by bike or by electric scooter. Furthermore, I can say there are many things an exchange student can enjoy in this small German city. In my case, the biggest difficulty was to get the residence permit, since the immigration office was partially closed due to the corona situation. But after all, I got it on time. Another big struggle the student may have special attention to is the bank account, I strongly recommend never move out of Germany without close the bank account, because is very bureaucratic to do it from abroad.
My studies at THI
Compared with my home university, the THI has a practical structure more robust, especially in the automotive area. The evaluation system is also quite different, the exams only happen once a semester, there are no reevaluation exams and partial evaluations. It makes things harder. Sadly I got the majority of the classes online. Face-to-face classes were suspended during almost all the semesters I spend there. One of the harder choices is which courses to take because there are many different options. I choose Computer Science, Mobility Future Program, German A1, Automation Technology, and Business Administration also. Unexpectedly I cannot validate any of these subjects in my home university. After all, this was a great semester for me, despite all the troubles and struggles.
Bruno, Engineering of Transports and Logistcs
Letter of my Exchange
The experience of living in another country for a certain period is not simple, especially when you are in a pandemic. However, regardless of these points, this is an experience that I will remember all the time.
Germany is very different from Brazil in terms of culture and people, but it has a peculiarity similar to Brazil: the difficulty with learning the language.
The cities are beautiful and spacious, and this is no different from Ingolstadt. It is possible to move from the city center, with some parts built in the 10th century, to newer residential locations, just in few minutes.
It is possible to find accommodation in the city on specialized websites, with the style of houses, apartments, either to share or to live alone. However, it is important to look for it early, due to the universities in the city the best (and cheapest) places may sell out early.
Germany has some differences regarding registration, and if you are from a country outside Europe, a visa is required to stay in Germany. There is a registration of the city where you want to live, which can be done at the city hall. Visa can take a little longer to do, so remember that this can be complicated (and especially time-consuming), so schedule your appointment early and check your mailbox.
In Ingolstadt, you can find markets everywhere and with a lot of diversity, both in terms of type and price. The variety of products found is quite vast, but it can be a little different from what you normally find in your country, but be sure to take advantage of new foods and ingredients (especially beer, as we are in Bavaria). But be aware when the market closes, and that it does not open on Sundays.
My experience within the college was somewhat limited due to the pandemic. I had one offline lecture only, which lasted this way for two months only. But the campus is very beautiful and has many different people from different countries. I studied six subjects at THI, but as I am already advanced in my course in Brazil, they did not serve to be valid in my case. However, this was not a bad thing, as I choose subjects that I was interested in or would qualify me in other points.
The main difference for me between THI and UFSC is related to the system of marks and tests. First, grades in Brazil are related to the percentage of the student's correct answers relative to the test. In Germany, on the other hand, it is a little different, with a maximum score of 1 and a minimum of 4. UFSC does not present a standard in relation to the number of tests and assignments per semester, which can vary considerably from subject to subject. THI, on the other hand, presents in most of the lectures a final exam, which must be scheduled at the beginning of the semester (do not forget to look at the academic calendar!).
The city has several interesting museums (I advise you to go to the first World War museum) and also vast green areas, with beautiful parks and lakes to spend the afternoon (and why not the night?).
In Bavaria, it is possible to buy a group ticket that lets you take any bus, train, and metro all day and costs around 50 euros for 5 people. That is a great alternative to discover the surrounding cities, especially Munich and Rothenburg. Be sure to travel when necessary, that was one of the things that the pandemic limited me the most, and enjoy the trips for me!
One thing I can say for sure this was the most different and cool experience of my life. Everything you experience is new, the people, the language, the culture, the college, the classes, the climate (especially for those who are not used to winters and snow). But this atmosphere of new things is very good, it lasts for almost the entire period of the exchange, and it never gets tired, it is quite different from that, it makes you miss a lot of all the experience. And that is what I always think of when I remember the exchange, make me miss as to feel that each day is not the same as the next.