Advice to Actively Participate

I first learned about the University of Bonn because it was one of the partner universities introduced through a study abroad program for science students at my home university. Through my research in high-energy physics, I had worked with large amounts of experimental data and became increasingly interested in computational and data-driven methods. Therefore, I wanted to study subjects such as data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in a more systematic way. I chose the University of Bonn because it offers a wide range of Computer Science courses, including both technical subjects and topics related to AI ethics. I was also interested in experiencing life in Germany and meeting students from different cultural backgrounds. I mainly collected information from my home university’s exchange program and the University of Bonn’s website and course information.

My arrival in Bonn was very welcoming. Through the Welcome Buddy Program (formerly Study Buddy Program), a student kindly showed me around the city and the university soon after I arrived. There were also orientation sessions and events for international students, which made it easier to meet people and build friendships from the beginning. I stayed in a student dormitory on Endenicher Allee, where I shared a kitchen and bathroom with one other student. I had no major problems with the accommodation, and its convenient location made daily life very comfortable.

At the University of Bonn, I was able to interact with other students through lectures, exercises, and group projects. We encouraged each other while preparing for assignments and exams, which made studying more enjoyable and motivating. One major difference from my home university was the greater emphasis on project-based learning, which I had not experienced very often before. I also noticed that many master’s students actively looked for research groups, promoted their own strengths, and worked hard to build their academic experience. This was quite different from what I was used to in Japan. The courses themselves were well organized, with both lectures and exercise sessions, so I was able to learn both theory and practical applications in a balanced way.

Life in Bonn was very comfortable and enjoyable, especially during the summer when the days were long. I often spent time having picnics with friends, studying in the library, or simply enjoying the city together. The people I met were generally kind and helpful, which made it easy to adjust to life in Germany. Although my German was limited, many people were willing to communicate with me in English. I was also able to experience German culture more directly by attending local festivals and spending time with German friends. These experiences made my stay more enjoyable and helped me understand everyday life and culture in Germany beyond the university.

Overall, I was very satisfied with my time in Bonn. I was able to learn new academic subjects, meet people from different backgrounds, and experience daily life in Germany. If I had the opportunity again, I would try to improve my German more before going abroad so that I could communicate more confidently in everyday situations. I would advise future exchange students to actively participate in university events, talk to as many people as possible, and not hesitate to try new things. Through this experience, I learned the importance of adapting to different environments, communicating with people who have different values, and taking initiative in both study and daily life. I would definitely like to study or work abroad again in the future.

Program: Global Exchange Program
Home university: University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba (Japan)
Time of stay: Summer Semester 2026