Students share their experiences abroad
Paula Gnauck is studying in the Integrated Design programme and spent a semester abroad in Wrocław, Poland, at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design
Key figures
Name
Paula Gnauck
Area of expertise
Integrated Design
Place
Breslau, Polen
Partner university
Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design
What motivated you to spend a semester abroad?
My motivation for spending a semester abroad was to gain further professional and personal experience as I neared the end of my Master’s degree. In particular, I wanted to develop my creative skills in the field of graphic design, improve my everyday English and gain international experience to help me in my future career. At the same time, it was an exciting challenge for me to live in another country for several months and develop myself further in a new environment!
Where and how did you live during your semester abroad?
During my semester abroad, I lived in a one-bedroom flat in the ‘Milestone Fabryczna’ student hall of residence in Wrocław. Although the accommodation was a little out of the way and it took about 35 minutes to get to the university, I felt very much at home there. Having my own little flat gave me a nice place to retreat to and allowed me to organise my daily life independently. At the same time, the hall of residence offered plenty of opportunities to get to know other international students.
What was university like, and which courses did you take?
The university was very practice-oriented and offered numerous opportunities for creative work. The courses were predominantly project-based and the lecturers provided very personalised support to the students. I mainly took courses in graphic design, including ‘System Design’, ‘Typeface & Publishing Forms’, ‘Photography’, ‘Drawing’, ‘Painting’ and ‘Bookbinding’. I also attended a Polish language course, which was a great help to me in everyday life.
In what ways were you able to gain new experiences and develop further? What was the absolute highlight, whether professionally or culturally? What was the biggest challenge? Your tips
During my semester abroad, I learnt a great deal, both academically and personally. I discovered new creative approaches, spoke English every day and put my basic knowledge of Polish into practice in everyday life. At the same time, living in another country made me more independent and showed me how enriching it is to get to know people from different cultures and to step outside my comfort zone.
What was the absolute highlight, whether in terms of the subject matter or the culture?
My personal highlight was the joint end-of-semester exhibition. It was a special experience to present my own work in an exhibition whilst discovering the diverse projects of the other students. It was particularly exciting to be part of an international art and design college and to gain insights into different creative approaches and perspectives.
What was the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me was balancing my studies, my free time and getting to know new people. Especially towards the end of the semester, there were lots of deadlines all at once, so it was a very hectic time. Nevertheless, this experience has shown me how important good time management is and how much you can grow as a person when you take on a challenge like this.
Any tips for future outgoings?
My most important tip is to complete any outstanding coursework at your home university before you leave, if possible. That way, you can focus fully on your semester abroad right from the start. It’s also worth attending the orientation sessions and ESN activities to make friends quickly. I’d also recommend being open to new experiences, learning at least a little of the local language, and using your time to explore as much of the city and the host country as possible.