Report October - Lucero Chávez Espinoza
1. Why have you chosen FHWS?
I graduated from a German school and did a technical bachelor’s degree in Business and Manufacturing at the German Institute (BBZ). Since I started studying in German, I knew that one of my goals would be to go to Germany and continue my professional studies there. The search for the right degree and the economy made me crazy. There were so many options and I didn’t know what to choose and which steps to take. Thankfully I asked my friends who were already in Germany and they recommended a couple of universities to me. I made my final decision because one of my friends told me very straightforward what documents would be needed to enrol at her university.
2. Why have you chosen your study programme?
I looked at all the study programmes that the university offered and I realized that Logistics was the one for me. As part of the dual study programme at the institute, I’ve already worked at companies and logistics is definitely one of those fields where you enjoy the work and face challenges. I looked at all the classes I would have to take in the course of the study programme and I didn’t think twice.
3. When did you start to prepare your application to FHWS?
I like to do things well in advance because I don’t like being short of time. Months before I graduated, I started looking for universities. Right in the month of July. I knew that if I had my documents and papers in advance, everything was going to work out fine. And that’s what happened.
4. How was your experience applying to FHWS? What was difficult?
Definitely the documents, deadlines, enrolment, etc. ... They’re an ordeal for the students. Fortunately, enrolment and submitting the documents to FHWS was very easy. Firstly, you don’t have to spend money on sending original documents before travelling to Germany. You can do everything virtually. Registering is super easy. The university also has various Regional Managers. In my case that was Juan Pablo Juárez Castro, who is the coordinator for Latin America. If I had any queries, I would just write him and he would help me with the admission process.
5. How was your visa application process?
After they send me the envelope, I accepted the place at the university. For students the visa process was very quick. First, I needed to have my biometric passport, my university documents and language certificates for German and English. They ask you to complete a form that you can print directly off the website. They sent me my visa one week after submitting my documents.
6. How did you travel from your home country to FHWS campus?
After receiving my visa, I had to buy the ticket. I chose the airline KLM. If you buy your ticket online and in advance, it will usually be cheaper than via phone. I had a layover in Amsterdam (1 hour) and from there I went to Stuttgart, where my sister picked me up. In total the travel by plane was 14 hours.
7. How did you find your accommodation?
Trying to find a place to live for at least the first semester was another thing. I already started searching in Peru. Fortunately, on the university’s Facebook page there are always students posting or asking for flats that are up for rent. Fortunately, I found one that was cheap, the room was big and I’m now living with two Germans. Which I think is great, because we can share our cultures and I can practice the language more often. Where do you live now? (city, conditions, price) Right now, I live two blocks away from the university. I only realized that when I arrived here. I pay 270 € per month (including Wi-Fi and heating). Considering the average rent here, that’s very cheap.
8. What was especially interesting or useful to you during the orientation programme?
One week before classes started at the university, there was an orientation programme that everyone had to take part in. In these classes they resolved any problems regarding any of the study programmes at the university and how the German rules work. It also helped immensely getting to know the people that were going to be my classmates for the rest of the study programme.