D-I-E Germany

My semester abroad is already over, so now it is a very good opportunity to think about my experience after all. This was my second time live in Germany, so I did not face any cultural barriers. However, it surprised me a little bit, how hard it was to get to know the local students at the university.

Describe

In a classroom, everyone sits silent and listen to the professor, the students highly appreciate the professors. It is very rare that someone interrupts them during their talk or even ask any questions. After the lecture, everyone just goes in their own way. In the library and study room, everyone chats and study, in their own group and it is common to make the team works online. So, there are not many opportunities to talk with the other students on school days, if they are not your friends already. I also felt that the Germans are not very interested in foreigners’ students, they did not make any contact with them and they seem a little uncertain to talk in English.

International food day

Interpret


I had six months' time to see and feel the German lifestyle and culture and I am convinced that Germans are very work-oriented and this can be seen in university. In Germany, success in university helps you to get a good job, and here, the previous work experience is not that important. Thus, everyone invests a lot of time into their studies and take it seriously. Maybe they don’t have time to make new friends and the friendship of an exchange student and a school-focused German may not lead to the best outcome because the study-spare time- balance is not the same.

The international family

Evaluate

I know that people talk about unfriendly Germans and it is a stereotype that Germans are very straight and study-oriented. The social outcome is not as important for then as a good result, so, they put all the effort and energy into their studies. In the end, even though I didn’t get to know many local students, I have a lot of international friends now. I familiarize many cultures all over the world and I cannot be happier that I have a lovely international family and also my old friends in Germany. I think in this way the outcome is even better than I ever hoped. 

My besties 💗

-Jasmiina-

Letter home

I study Bachelor of business administration in Centria UAS and winter semester 2019-2020 I spend in Hochschule Niederrhein in Germany. The faculty Business Administration and Economics offer a 12 courses module for the exchange students and I have chosen four courses of that module and two courses from language centrum to improve my English and Germany.  Usually in one course is 20-30 students. Most of the students are Germans and, in a group are about 1-5 exchange students. The quality of the studies is very good here, and most of the courses focusing on world trends nowadays. I really like it but the communication between the professors and students is not like in Finland. Here students mostly just listen to the professor and don’t interrupt or ask any question during the lecture. Also, students show much more respect for the profs. For example, calling them by surname and ‘knock the table’ after every lecture.

Monday to Thursday we have a four hours lecture and sometimes after that I study in the library or studying room with my friends. Most of my friends are also exchange students or foreigners, who make the whole degree here. I have found it out very hard to involve and communicate with the local students. It feels like they don't like to talk in English even everyone's English skills are very good. That has been very challenged but at the same time, Germans take the studies very seriously and for the exchange students, my time here is not just for studying, it is also to have a great experience and memories. The other exchange students think the same way and together we have had a great spare-time beside the university time.

After lectures I go to the gym, running or swimming. I also spend a lot of time with my friends, usually, we visit cities nearby, go shopping, make dinner together and go partying sometimes. The best moment of the exchange was definitely the orientation week. It was a very nice way to get to know the other students. The whole week was full of events and parties and I also made friends from other faculties and campus. It was a great start and an easy way to find friends here. The city, where I live is pretty nice. Here is everything I need, and the location is good. Every week we visit in Düsseldorf and Köln both are about 40-50 mins away. I have enjoyed my time here and learned a lot of new about German culture and the education system. 

I’m lucky to be here and I recommend to everyone to spent a semester abroad! :) 

-Jasmiina-

Letter home

I study Environmental Chemistry and Technology at Centria and I spent the autumn semester studying in Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, Netherlands. The program I joined was project intensive, with 22 out of 30 credits dedicated to project work. The project work involved a lot of independent work though we also had a project coach that we could consult if we got stuck. The project work was quite similar to the ones we have at Centria so we had to write a project report, had a mid-term and end-term presentation and we had to make and present a poster. I only had two theoretical courses and I found them tough but at the same time interesting.

I spent the majority of my studies mainly with my project group members. My group members were diverse and so it happened often that we clashed because of different cultures and different work ethics but in the end we had a successful project. I find the study culture in Netherlands similar to Finland in that the teachers encourage and expect independent study. The teachers are also on a first name basis and are very approachable.

For me, everyday life involved about 6km bike ride from my hosts home to school (if I happened to have a class or group meeting). I often enjoyed these bike rides except when it rained (which it did a lot). The Hanze campus is merged with the University of Groningen's so there are many buildings in that area. After my class or project work, I would then head home or to the shops. The ESN (Erasmus Student Network) also organized many activities so I participated in many of these during the week as well as the weekend.

The most challenging me for me was the courses which I found quite tough. Most of it was new to me so I had to study quite a lot independently. However, the highlight of my studies was meeting so many interesting people. Groningen is a student city with up to 20 000 students so I ended up meeting people from all walk's of life.

Introduction: Jasmiina

Hello Everybody! 

My name is Jasmiina. I'm a 2nd-year Bachelor of business administration student at Centria.

I am doing my student exchange at Hochschule Niederrhein in Mönchenglagbach and I already arrived here a couple of weeks ago. I chose this university of applied sciences because of their Erasmus exchange programme is very international and I can choose courses that will improve my business skills in English.

 
I'm originally from Sulkava and I lived in Germany in 2016-2017. I lived in Frankfurt am main and working as an Aupair.  I chose to come back to Germany because I like people, culture and life here. And so far everything has been just like before, and I've enjoyed my time here.

My semester started this Monday but basically, we've only had introductions and getting to know other students. Lectures will start on next week and I'm super excited about it!

bis später,

- Jasmiina

Letter home - Austria - MCI Management Center Innsbruck - Nghia Nguyen

1. In what country and University are you studying? 

I am currently at the end of double degree between Centria UAS and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Austria. I have finished all courses and internship in Austria. I am working on my thesis in MCI.  

 2. In what Study program are you studying at Centria?  

I was studying Environmental Chemistry & Technology in Centria UAS when I started the double degree program with MCI. 

 3. What are the courses like at the host University? 

In MCI, the double degree student continues their study with courses in fourth semester of Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering Program. The study contents in MCI focus on environmental, process and energy engineering. Courses in electrical, automation, biological engineering and industrial economy are generally provided. There are theoretical courses and laboratory courses. Student usually have theoretical lecture in between 8 am-17 pm, sometimes until 8 pm 45. We have schedule from Monday to Friday, sometimes Saturday. Theoretical courses usually have evaluation by final exams and attendance of at least 75-80%. Entering long time lecture without prepare can cause “instant distraction” and sometimes “sleepy syndrome”. Courses in MCI focus on practical theory and mathematic solutions. Therefore, handling all exercise and calculations give better understanding and better evaluation.   

Laboratory course usually have theoretical classes, then student have exam before having lab work. Student should submit lab report in group after 4-6 weeks since having lab work. Laboratory course have evaluation by exam grade, lab reports and attendance of 100%. Laboratory work is organized in few days with many experiments, so student should be prepared carefully before and after lab day. MCI have stricts rules to write lab reports, and student must follow. Extra course (German language, study method, MCI badges, etc) are introduced with fees.   

 4. Describe the study culture? 

In MCI, the course content is pretty “STEM” to me. We solve many calculations and think about logical solution for practical engineering problem. Exchange student have much work to do in their courses and study individually in other to understand some previous courses in MCI. Group work is only evaluated by outcome reports, which is hard to evaluate each member effort. In one semester, we have around 6-10 courses and much work to do. Though, I like challenging topics and professional approach of lecturer.  MCI have good business courses that provide me understanding on industrial economy and basic management.  

 5. What is your study group like? 

We have about 20-30 students in class, where exchange students are about 4-5 students. As I study with some exchange students in group of Austria student under stress of study, I found it not easy to integrate with local student. Exchange student and local student usually miscommunicate because of language and culture barriers. This culture bump lead to difficult in study and work at the beginning. However, it become more efficient when I can communicate and work with one friend in class after 1 semester. Though the course is in English, international students usually work together in group work, as local student refers to work together and got introduction in German. Though, positive competition in class make my study more challenging.  

 6. Please describe what the everyday life is like in your host country? What do you like in particular? 

My everyday life is quite busy with lecture in university from morning 8 am until 17 pm. After class, I often stay in MCI 4 lobby to study on computer or MCI library to work with teammate. Then I go for grocery, which usually close at 8pm in weekday and 6pm on Saturday. Canisianum student home provide me gym and playroom, which I usually spend my nighttime working out.  

Nights in Innsbruck is peaceful and beautiful for jogging or hanging out with friends. I like Innsbruck as a young and dynamic city, where student population is more than 20%. Students have night out or party on Wednesday and Friday. ESN (Erasmus student network) holds many events that I met many interesting friends. We still cherish our time together in Innsbruck. There are many tourist attractions around city, and interesting events.  

 7. What has been challenging? Why?  

The study in MCI is challenging for me at beginning. After 3 semesters in MCI, I realized German language for communication is what I needed, and I would have better connection with my classmates and better experience in Austria.  

For me, communication with professor in MCI is a challenge too. The course challenging is depending on lecturer. Some lecturer did not prepare slide in fully English or partly in German, make it hard to follow. Some lecturer is too emotional in classroom, make me confuse a bit. Professors in MCI are also busy with research project or their project along lecturing, therefore, students have limited time with professor. I should have questions in classroom. This was a challenge for me, because I must individually handle both work from course and my personal interested field. Demand work for course and my interest is uneven, make course work less important and more enforced to do.   

Finding internship in Austria is challenging for foreigner. In other to have work contract, there are legal requirement and language barriers for me.  

 8. What has been the highlight of your exchange so far? 

Before I started my exchange, I left a letter at Centria UAS written down 3 goals in my exchange. I happy that I am on my track to pursue these goals. All other experiences are amazingly valuable to me. In short, the highlights of my exchange are unexpected friends I lost and found, winter sports and a chance to live like a real Innsbrucker.  

D-I-E Netherlands

Written by Fiona Mwacharo

I have been in Netherlands for about a week and I love it. It is quite different than Finland. The city in which I am staying in, Groningen, is a student city with over 20 000 students. The average age is approximately 34 years for the residents here so there are a lot of young people and activities for young adults here. So here is my D-I-E experience

Describe

The Dutch are incredibly good at small talk, so much so that they end up talking about, what I feel is, super personal things just a few minutes after having met them. For example, my student group at the school was tasked with giving a small ppt introduction about themselves. Most people gave the usual information about their age and their hobbies but for the Dutch they went a step more. One of the Dutch students told that he was a Christian and had recently proposed to his girlfriend and that they would be married at the end of the year. Having lived in Finland for the past 10 years, I have become accustomed to the Finnish culture and I know that there is no way a Finnish student would discuss something so personal in front of people they had just met. Another Dutch student also talked about being engaged. Plus with other conversations with other Dutch people, I have seen that they are incredibly open people and can more or less give their life story after meeting someone for the first time. This is incredibly shocking for me.

Interpret

After encountering a handful of Dutch people who have been just as open, my interpretation is that this is a common thing in Netherlands. The people are overall incredibly friendly and just want to get to know other people. Maybe for them, giving such details is not too personal and they are not shy to give all kinds of details about their life.

Evaluate

After some googling I found that this is a typical Dutch stereotype. They are known for being open minded and being friendly and also discussing everything and anything under the sun even after meeting someone for the first time. Overall, this is something that at first made me feel weird but I am learning to adapt and be just as open as they are.

D.I.E. - Japan

This journey to Japan has now been my fourth time coming here. During these visits I have already learned a lot (but not most) about the manners in Japan. While I do still make some minor mistakes, and will continue to do them in the future, I believe that I am well enough informed that I can at least present myself in a decent manner when it comes to "keeping your face" and, more importantly, not causing shame to people in your party.

The cultural "bump" I actually experienced many times was with social interactions in unofficial situations! Casual conversations and meetings, that is. And this time the cause of "bumps" was the significant difference in humor. Humor is a social lubricant, a way to release stress and the perfect way in making strangers into friends. Humor is extremely important, and the nature of the humor also represents the soul of the people.

1. Describe

It is well known that Finnish humor is dark, sarcastic and very dry. Japanese humor is much more delicate and subtle, and often doesn't go too dark.

When I am surrounded by friends, I love being sarcastic and I often joke about something you shouldn't joke about in here: suicide. The reader should note, that this humor is only reserved for my close friends.. but sometimes mistakes happen.

So, on a normal day at a hall where students gathered on break times to eat lunch and chat with friends, I met with a close friend. The following interaction takes place:

Friend: Hey Maki-chan! How are you?
Me: Hehey man! I want to take a bath with a toaster!
Friend: Hahaha! Are you ok?
Me: I am as long as I have electricity.
Friend: That's good!

While that was a very typical conversationg for us (the friend was Japanese, who had already learned about my humor), we didn't notice that there was another Japanese student next to us, who had heard the whole conversation. The look on this student's face was a mixture of confusion and horror. Luckily my friend was able to explain that this, in Finnish manners, is humor and actually signals that the person is doing well. The student looked relieved and I apologized in Japanese for my poor judgement. Everything was ok.

2. Interpret

As I mentioned before, Japanese humor is very different. Dark humor is often not taken with open arms, unless you're very close to the people around you and they know about your country's customs and humor. In Japan, it is extremely important to always keep your composure and avoid showing any negative feelings. People who become angry or display misery publicly are considered immature and possibly dangerous. My humor was taken as me being extremely sad and thus in need of help, while in fact the opposite was true.

My friend explained to me, that when in public, Japanese tend to stick to safe topics and laugh to things that will in no way bring shame to anyone. "Keeping face" is, as I've said, extremely important. That's why I can add this personal note to anyone thinking about coming to Japan: Think about vanilla. Vanilla is pure, soft scented and without anything that will "poke" you. Sounds strange, but if you act and speak like vanilla itself, you're all set and will most likely not cause harm to yourself or more importantly to your friends and acquintances. Once you're close to your friends, you may begin revealing your more personal side. People should also learn about "honne and tatemae", which is an extremely important way of acting. I made a mistake many times to which I fully own up to.

3. Evaluate

If I was born and raised as Japanese and suddenly I heard this strange foreigner joking about suicide, I probably could not tell what was happening or how to react. Especially since I saw other people laughing at this person who was saying these horrible (for locals) things. I wouldn't know if he was actually serious and other people were actually hating him so much that they would laugh, or if they thought sad people are funny.

While the whole situation (and other similar ones) embarrass me a bit, I am glad that those moments took place. Due to those mistakes, I was able to learn great inside information about the Japanese people as personas. I learned more about how to act "like Japanese", and with the lessons learned from those, I have been able to act accordingly in my recent situations which have, in turn, brought great and respectful moments between myself and locals.

All in all, I have grown as a person and acquired new useful skills and manners that will surely assist me greatly (if not crucially) in my future endeavours in business world as well as personal social interactions. Mistakes are not bad, they're actually very good as long as no one got hurt or embarrassed and you learned something!

While this wasn't anything serious, it is definitely something that people should take care about when they come across people from (vastly) different cultures.

Lesson learned!

- Juha-Matti "まきちゃん" Katajamäki
28.08.2019
Nose, Osaka, Japan