Maksym Zadorozhnii, a second-year Management student at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy (BKNUC), has been studying at Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany for the past month as part of the Erasmus+ international academic mobility programme. Maksym has shared his first impressions of settling in, everyday life in Germany, and the distinctive features of the European approach to higher education.

His introduction to the university and the city began with a busy orientation week, which he remembers not only for the useful information it provided but also for the exciting social activities it offered.

“Alongside the usual explanations of ‘what’ and ‘where’, there were plenty of interactive activities and adventures. I particularly enjoyed the castle tour, the planetarium, and the games night. It was an incredible experience, and the atmosphere was fantastic! The games night was especially memorable, as we played cards and Mafia together with a whole group of students from different countries. We had such a great time that none of us wanted to leave,” Maksym recalls.

According to the student, it was in Germany that he managed to make some close friends among fellow Ukrainian students. They now help each other with everyday tasks and organisational matters, meet up in their student accommodation, play board games, and travel.

Maksym has been particularly impressed by Germany’s distinctive architecture, welcoming atmosphere, and attention to detail. Despite the bureaucracy and the considerable amount of paperwork involved, the support of his friends helps him overcome any difficulties. The students have already decided to visit a new city every week. The first trip outside Fulda took them to Frankfurt.

As for everyday life, settling into independent living has proved relatively easy:

“The accommodation is excellent – it’s very convenient to have everything in the room. There are plenty of shops offering a wide range of products at reasonable prices. Although this is a different country, you often hear Ukrainian being spoken, even in the streets or in the shops. It makes you feel that there are people around who share your language and culture.”

The teaching approach at Fulda University of Applied Sciences has made a particularly strong impression on the student. The main emphasis is on acquiring practical knowledge relevant to a future career in management rather than on memorising theoretical material.

Maksym highlights several aspects of studying at Fulda University of Applied Sciences that he particularly appreciates. Teaching is strongly practice-oriented, with lecturers favouring real-life case studies over ‘dry theory’. Students are encouraged to engage in open dialogue with their lecturers, who welcome questions and regularly seek feedback on what could be improved or added to their courses. Another highlight is the international environment that brings together students from all over the world. The opportunity to improve his English is also a motivating aspect of the experience. Although he has no difficulty following lectures, group assignments and the challenges of communicating in English in everyday situations encourage him to develop his language skills further.

The biggest challenge for Maksym so far has been learning to balance online studies at BKNUC, face-to-face classes in Fulda, everyday responsibilities, and an active social life.

“Of course, there are misunderstandings and difficult days, but that is life, and I try not to dwell on the negative. I miss my family and friends back in Ukraine, but there are still so many adventures and new experiences ahead! I can hardly believe that a whole month has already passed. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be part of Erasmus+,” Maksym Zadorozhnii concludes.

International Relations Office