Global Exchange Program
Everything You Experience is a Life Lesson
Hyungyu is studying Chemical and Biological Engineering at Seoul National University in South Korea and reports on their time as an exchange student at the University of Bonn.
I studied at Uni Bonn from March 2025 to February 2026 as a Global Exchange Program student. The programs and events offered by Uni Bonn fulfilled my expectations, so I’d like to recommend Uni Bonn as a destination of your choice.
My home university provides exchanges to a lot of universities all over the world. The first reason I chose Uni Bonn is its location. The city of Bonn is located right next to one of the biggest cities, Cologne. So, it is easy to travel to other cities and countries by train, bus and airplane. The nearby Cologne-Bonn airport supports its advantage. If you’re interested in traveling and communicating with locals, you can achieve your goal at Uni Bonn! Secondly, Uni Bonn provides a lot of professional German courses before and along with the semester.
During the administration process, you don’t need to worry about communication with Uni Bonn. If you’re nominated by your home university, they will actively help you on time. However, you must take care about outside administration procedures like visa, city registration and so on. Making an appointment with the city in advance is necessary in Germany. Although the staff at Uni Bonn and other students – like Tandem Partners, Study Buddy – help you, you should still keep your eyes on those formalities.
After arriving in Germany and at Uni Bonn, you’ll be welcomed by your Study Buddy. If you are still in trouble to preparing for your studies at Uni Bonn, I strongly recommend you to sign up for the Study Buddy Program. They will help you a lot, especially at the beginning of your settlement. Moreover, as a Global Exchange Program student you can easily get a dorm room from the Studierendenwerk Bonn. The Studierendenwerk Bonn is independent of the Uni and housing is not strictly guaranteed, but most Global Exchange Program students receive a room. You don’t need to worry about it that much.
Speaking of German courses, Uni Bonn offers a variety of German courses. If you want to enhance your German skills during your stay, this is the right place to do it. Intensive German courses are available before the semester, and of course in the semester, too. Because most exchange students participate in those classes, you can interact with them and share your ideas and thoughts internationally, which is a nice side effect of these courses.
For people who want to communicate with others there are lots of groups and communities. For example, one of the biggest dormitories in Bonn, Römerlager dorm, runs a big WhatsApp group. You can find some activities inside the group. There are also some announcements on the walls and inside the elevators. Uni Bonn also offers events through the International Club. Several times per week, you can enjoy their events on Poppelsdorfer Allee. If you want, you can join the ESN group, too.
Studying in a country I was not used to has had a profound influence on me. Under unfamiliar circumstances, everything you experience is a life lesson for yourself. Minor actions like buying stuff at the supermarket, ordering food, traveling to a small town near your residency. Everything you encounter here will make you strong and proactive person, and there’s a lot of fun during this challenging period! If you’re still wondering about applying to the program, please don’t hesitate. I have never regretted the choice I made until now.
Program: Global Exchange Program
Home university: Seoul National University, Seoul (South Korea)
Time of stay: Summer semester 2025 and winter semester 2025/26