Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Studying abroad for a semester can offer numerous advantages, both academically and personally. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Cultural Immersion: Living in another country allows you to immerse yourself in a different culture, language, and way of life. This firsthand experience can broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of global diversity. Exposure to different cultures and perspectives can give you a broader worldview. You'll develop a deeper understanding of global issues, politics, and economics, which can be valuable in both your personal and professional life.

  • Language Skills: Studying abroad can significantly improve your language proficiency. Immersion in a language-speaking environment forces you to use the language daily, enhancing your communication skills.

  • Academic Opportunities: Many study abroad programmes offer unique academic opportunities, including specialized courses, research projects, and access to resources and experts that may not be available at your home institution. As an added bonus, you might be able to get credit for (some of) your courses at your home university.

  • Personal Growth: Studying abroad often challenges you to step outside your comfort zone, adapt to new situations, and become more self-reliant. This can lead to personal growth, increased self-confidence, and improved problem-solving abilities.

  • Networking: Studying abroad allows you to build an international network of friends, professors, and professionals. These connections can be valuable for future collaborations, job opportunities, and personal relationships.

  • Resume Enhancement: A semester abroad can make your resume stand out to future employers. It demonstrates qualities such as adaptability, cultural awareness, and an ability to thrive in diverse environments, which are highly valued in today's global job market.

  • Independence and Self-Reliance: Being away from home and your usual support system can foster independence and self-reliance. You'll learn to manage daily tasks, make decisions, and navigate unfamiliar situations on your own.

 

If you'd like to study abroad, you have several options:

  • You can apply for one of our Erasmus partnerships. We currently offer the following Erasmus cooperations in the UK and Ireland: Limerick, Derry/Londonderry, and Cardiff. You will not have to pay tuition fees for your semester abroad and will receive Erasmus funding for your stay. If you want to study abroad at one of our three partner institutions, you will have to submit an application. The Department publishes a call for applications once a year (usually in December, with an application deadline in February) for the following academic year. If you are accepted, your Erasmus coordinator will nominate you at the partner institution, and you will then be invited to apply there. You may need to submit further documents in the application process, such as, e.g., a transcript of records in English and proof of your language competency. You can find out more about what it means to study abroad via the Erasmus+ programme here: https://www.uni-saarland.de/global/erasmus/studium.html
  • If you are an MA student, our other Erasmus cooperations with English Departments throughout Europe might be of interest. You can find all of our current partnerships via UdS MoveOn: https://uds.moveon4.de/publisher/1/deu
  • If you would like to study overseas, you can find a list of our partner universities, e.g, in the US, Canada, and Australia and how to apply for their respective programmes here: https://www.uni-saarland.de/international/out/studium/weltweit.html