Kim Föllinger, Germany: 'Coming to AUBG was a great decision'
Every year, students from all over Europe, the U.S. and beyond choose to do an exchange program at AUBG for a semester or a year. We decided to interview some of those exchange students and hear more about their experience with Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad and AUBG. Meet Kim Föllinger, an Erasmus Student from Germany. She is majoring in Business Administration at DHBW Karlsruhe, where she is in her last year of studies. As a dual student – a student that receives both theoretical and practical education – she works for Bratzler & Co. GmbH, a wholesaler of fruits and a supplier of supermarkets worldwide. In the future, she would like to works as a sales manager.
So, why did you choose Bulgaria?
AUBG is a partner university of [DHBW Karlsruhe]. The country wasn't that important for me, but after I signed up for AUBG, I realized that it would be a whole different experience. Eastern Europe is new to me and I thought it would be important to visit it to see the contrast between Germany and Bulgaria. Also, most of the courses I needed were available.
What are the differences in architecture between your country and Bulgaria?
Well, in both Eastern Germany, Berlin especially, and in Bulgaria, there are a lot of Soviet blocks. The orthodox churches are beautiful, I love the golden roofs. A lot of buildings look very communist. It's different and very cool. In Germany, the roofs are pointy and the rooms are very light.
Differences in culture?
People here only smile in their inner circle. However, when you get to know them, they are very open-minded and friendly. Germans prefer to stay in their circles. Bulgaria is very guest-friendly and everyone here likes Germany. It's very interesting how, even though we are all Europeans, we are so different.
Differences in education?
This is the first time I study under the Liberal Arts system. It is still hard to get used to professors calling us by our first names because, in Germany, this is considered rude. In my country, we are just called Mister or Miss. In AUBG, there are a lot more assignments. In universities with big auditoriums, studying depends entirely on the person. At AUBG, there are 20-30 people in a classroom and that allows the professor to memorize the name of each student. Also, education in Germany is free.
Differences in nightlife?
The alcohol is very cheap, the music is very loud and it is very crowded in Underground. In Germany, there are a lot of "high-class" night clubs where everything is much more expensive and fancy.
What are your expectations from this semester?
I want to experience the culture, especially the food. I would also like to travel because [at AUBG] we have a lot of Germans, so it is hard to step outside of the bubble.
If you are studying in a different language, how difficult was it to switch?
It is difficult to do the readings in English even though the professors here have excellent English and I've studied it in school and university.
What are your thoughts on AUBG so far?
The community here is huge! It is impossible to be left alone for a long time. I'd like to join the Business Club to find people with the same interests.
Do you have any fun experiences or pieces of advice to share?
In the first week of school, we went to Greece, just outside Thessaloniki, and we slept in tents. We also danced during the Bulgarian folk dance club recruitment, and it was so much fun!
If you come to Bulgaria, you should try shopska salad, banitsa and lyutenitsa. Also, Bulgarians love Harry Potter. And I am a huge fan so it is easy to start a conversation with strangers because everyone loves the books. I would definitely come back because the nature and the culture are so diverse and people are so warm. The humor here is nice too. Everything is cheap. I would definitely recommend AUBG to my friends. So far, coming here has been a great decision and I am looking forward to the weeks to come!