Host today: Laura Kaden works in the International Students Team of the International Office and at the Career Point of the University. Guest today: Hsiao Hsuan Lin from Taiwan studies German as a foreign and second language for one year at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. Shownotes: 01:13 What is the exchange programm you came with? 01:35 Why did you choose Jena? 02:35 How was your journey to Jena and what was your first impression? 03:35 What do you think now about Jena? 04:27 How did you prepare for your stay? - From the application to the journey, 07:30 What did you buy after arrival? 08:10 Where do you live in Jena? 08:54 Did you have any expectations before coming to Jena, that were proofed right or wrong? 09:55 Do you have contact with german students or mainly with international students? 10:40 Which challenges did you face and how could you solve them? 12:25 Did you have any support? 13:30 How was the start of the semester and your first day at the university of Jena? 14:38 What events offered support in the beginning – to get information and find friends? 15:30 Were the wokshops of the International Office helpfull for your preparation? 16:50 What are the differences between studying in Jena and your home university? 17:50 How do you like the study system in Jena? 18:40 How do you spend your free time in Jena and what is on your bucket list for the rest of your stay? 20:2E30 What are your tippst o handel homesickness? • Guest studies at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/gueststudies • The ATS programm at the institute for German as a foreign and second language: https://www.dafdaz.uni-jena.de/studieren/auslandssemester • Accomodation: o Dormitories of the student service organization: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/housing/ o An episode of this podcast about housing: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/podcast-uni-jena-international#E3housing • Mentoring: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/mentoringprogramme • The start of the semester: o Welcome Days: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/welcomedays o Orientation Days: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/stet o Informations for international students: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/start-studying-international • Leisure time: o Hiking in Jena: https://www.hiking-jena.de/ o IWM: https://www.iwmgmbh.eu/ o More offers: https://bunter-kompass-thueringen.info/athur?l=en