International

“So much more than just a student exchange”

Kevin Cuadra is studying mathematics in a B.A. double degree programme at Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Łódź. We talked to him about studying at two European universities, gaining confidence abroad and how UNIC turned the idea of a European university into something tangible.

Kevin, why did you choose a double degree instead of a regular semester abroad?
I wanted to challenge myself. A double degree feels like so much more than just a student exchange. In the end, I will have degrees from two universities, which is something that can open doors for me in the future. But I’m also glad that I get to do something more challenging and experience another university system from the inside.

What is different about studying mathematics in Bochum and Łódź?
One thing I noticed is that I have more freedom to choose my courses here. The teaching and examination formats are different as well. Experiencing these differences has been interesting because it gives me another perspective on how mathematics can be taught and studied.

I also wasn’t very confident that I could take classes in German. But I did in the end and I succeeded. I even took an oral exam in German, which I passed with a good grade. That was definitely an achievement for me.

Coming to Bochum also meant living on your own for the first time. How did that affect you?
Before coming here, I wasn’t confident that I could manage living on my own just out of the blue – especially in a foreign country many kilometres away from home. But I managed just fine, and I think I gained a lot of confidence from living on my own.

Looking back, I would say that I am more confident and more secure now.

Has your semester in Bochum also changed the way you think about your future?
I would like to pursue a PhD after graduating. Doing this semester in Bochum gave me more confidence that I can also look abroad for opportunities. Before, going to another country might have seemed like a much bigger step. Now I know from experience that I can do it.

You came to Bochum through a UNIC double degree programme. Has that influenced the way you think about the idea of a European university?
I was already pretty European-minded before. But I think the idea became less abstract and more tangible to me in the process. The idea of a European university isn’t just a term, but something I literally experienced.

I met people from UNIC here and also got involved myself. I feel that I should try to become an active member at my home university as well after I return. And I can imagine better now how we could bring this experience to other people.

So do you feel differently connected to Bochum than you might as a regular exchange student?
Yes, I think I do. I got to meet people involved in UNIC here, and through that I became more connected to the university and the alliance. For me, it became more than simply spending a semester at another university.

Complete this sentence: “Studying at two European universities has taught me that ...”
... we have a lot to learn by expanding our perspectives.

Finally, what would you tell students who are interested in studying abroad but are unsure whether they should take the step?
It’s really not as challenging as you may feel. You will learn a lot about yourself.