"Studying abroad is the best thing we've ever done"

A nervous but stable start

Said and done, Robin and Sonja applied, and a few months later, it was clear that they would spend the next semester on completely new ground.

– The application process itself went very smoothly. However, it was really scary when the day came when I was actually going to go. I said goodbye to everyone at GIH on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, I landed in Cologne all alone. It was quite surreal, says Robin, who did his studies abroad in the spring of 2022.

But despite travel fever and nervousness, both Robin and Sonja have only positive memories of their first time in Cologne.

– I felt so taken care of and welcomed. Everyone was so warm and nice, so it quickly felt very safe, says Sonja.

Robin agrees:

– Yes, I really got off to a great start at the university, with good information and tours where we got to know the school and connect with other students. In addition, the city invited all exchange students to an information meeting so we could learn more about Cologne, which was super nice.

Sport, sport, sport

Both Robin and Sonja chose Deutsche Sporthochschule largely because they were sold on the wide range of courses. For two people who love sports in all its forms, it was like entering a dream world.

– There were so many fun and practical courses, and it was incredibly difficult to choose. So I really went all in, says Robin, laughing, and continues:

– In addition to football, which is my main sport, I also took courses in volleyball, badminton, table tennis, swimming, cycling and diving, among other subjects.

Sonja, who works with a circus on a daily basis, also really took the opportunity to immerse herself in various sports, such as trampoline gymnastics, skateboarding, climbing and parkour. And, as part of her theoretical courses, she studied sports pedagogy, exercise theory, and methodology.

– Thanks to the huge selection, I was really able to build my dream schedule, she says.

Housing – a challenge

Accommodation is a concern for many people considering studying abroad, so you should prepare in advance to check out your options. For Sonja, the housing issue was solved relatively easily when she got the opportunity to rent a friend's apartment just outside Cologne. For Robin, it became a little sweatier.

– I applied to the university's accommodation for exchange students, but didn't get a place there. So then I had to start looking around on my own, which isn't so easy when you're in Sweden without any knowledge of the city. In addition, I heard that many students were cheated on their accommodation and lost a lot of money, so I didn't dare to say yes to anything either, says Robin, who finally had to resort to an emergency solution and book himself into a hostel for the first period of time, with the hope that it would be solved once he was in place.

And of course it worked out in the end, as it so often does. A chance meeting between Robin and another, equally lost, exchange student would lead him not only to find a place to live, but also a really dreamy one.

– One morning, as I was wandering around campus, I met a guy from Wales who was just as confused as I was. He hadn't found a place to live either, and since we clicked right away, we decided to start looking together. In the end, we found a dream apartment that was centrally located, completely renovated and with two balconies, which we shared with a few other people. It turned out great!

Scholarship that facilitates

Finances can also be a concern for many people considering studying abroad. Can you get by on CSN alone? What if everything is much more expensive than in Sweden? Can you get scholarships to finance the trip?

If you choose to go via GIH and the Erasmus+ exchange programme, you can receive a scholarship to cover the extra expenses that a stay abroad entails. This was helpful to both Sonja and Robin.

– Maybe you couldn't live like a king, but it was definitely enough. In addition, Cologne is a large student city with many student-adapted options. For example, we had a school restaurant where we could eat really cheap lunch and dinner, which was great, says Sonja.

Activities for all tastes

Both Sonja and Robin were active in the school's student life, especially in the activities and events offered outside school hours.

– There really was something for everyone, whether you wanted to go out and party or just take part in sports activities. I was hardly home more than to change my clothes, because there was so much going on all the time. And thanks to that, I met so many people from different parts of the world that I still have contact with today, says Robin.

For Sonja, everyday life was also eventful. But while Robin focused mainly on hanging out with the other exchange students, Sonja focused on getting to know German students who could help her improve her language skills.

– It was a bit difficult in the beginning, but thanks to the fact that I spent a lot of time with Germans and had chosen many German courses, it got easier quite quickly. But sure, even though I understood most of it pretty quickly, it took a while before I felt comfortable talking. But I remember that I was on a walk with a German friend and then suddenly something clicked and it just flowed with the speech, and after that there were no problems, she says.

No regrets

So, if you are to summarise Robin's and Sonja's experiences. Do they regret taking the step of studying abroad? Their answer is unequivocal: Not for a second!

– It was incredibly fun and educational, and I've developed a lot. You kind of get a boost when you realise that you can actually manage alone in a completely new country. It's empowering, and I feel proud that I did it, says Sonja.

Robin agrees, adding:

– Yes, and to also be able to be at such a large sports university, meet like-minded people from all over the world and play sports every day – it was like a dream!

With that said, the answer to the question "Would you recommend others to study abroad?" seems pretty obvious.

– One hundred per cent, just go!, says Sonja.

Robin agrees:

– Yes, really, you won't regret it! You may think that the GIH time is so short that you don't want to "waste" a semester going abroad, but it's an incredible opportunity that you might only get once in a lifetime, and it's so worth it!