At Nottingham, studying modern languages and cultures doesn’t stop at mastering a new language. As a compulsory (and possibly most exciting) part of your course, you’ll spend a year abroad among native speakers and fully immerse yourself in a new cultural environment.
Meet Elizabeth, an undergraduate student studying German and Mandarin and former Global Ambassador for University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus. Here, she shares her stories from her time at Universität Bremen in Germany and what she learned from her study abroad experience.
My study abroad experience significantly boosted my confidence, particularly in navigating unfamiliar environments and adapting to new situations. Living in another country gave me a deeper appreciation for how different cultures and societies operate.
Elizabeth Darcy
BA Modern Languages
The Universität Bremen experience
I chose to study at Universität Bremen because of its strong academic reputation and excellent location. It’s close to major cities like Hamburg and Hanover, which made it easy to travel and explore more of Germany. Before applying, I researched Bremen and was immediately drawn to the charm of the city—I couldn’t wait to experience it as a student.
There was also a wide variety of exciting and thought-provoking modules available throughout my studies. There was an entire module on Kafka, which helped me strengthen my essay writing and improve my presentation skills.
Getting settled
The Year Abroad Coordinator for Germany at the University of Nottingham was incredibly supportive throughout my time away. I always felt reassured knowing there was someone I could turn to – whether I needed help or just a friendly chat. She was approachable, easy to contact and consistently made a positive difference to my experience.
At Universität Bremen, there was also a great deal of support available. The welcome week was especially memorable, featuring events like a bonfire night, city tours, pub crawls and day trips – all designed to help us settle in and connect with other Erasmus students. These activities made it easy to meet new people and form friendships right from the start. One of my favourite memories is the international cooking night, where everyone prepared dishes from their home countries. It was a fantastic way to bond and learn about each other’s cultures.
Vibrant student community
I really loved the student community at Universität Bremen. There were fun events for Erasmus students at least once a week. I also joined Campus Kino Bremen, the university’s film society, even before I arrived at Bremen. We hosted different film nights and events each week, which not only helped me improve my German but also gave me the chance to make amazing friends. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and it quickly became one of the highlights of my time in Bremen.
Exploring Germany
One of the things I enjoyed most about living in Germany was how easy it was to travel. The free trains made exploring different cities and towns incredibly convenient and affordable. I also used Flixbus to visit nearby countries, which made day trips simple and budget friendly.
The Christmas markets were another highlight—each city had its own unique version and they were all absolutely magical. And, of course, the food was fantastic, with Käsekuchen (German cheesecake) quickly becoming one of my favourites!
Lessons from studying abroad
My study abroad experience significantly boosted my confidence, particularly in navigating unfamiliar environments and adapting to new situations. It also helped me develop strong planning skills, from organising travel to managing my time effectively.
Living in another country gave me a deeper appreciation for how different cultures and societies operate. I now have a much better understanding of diverse cultural contexts, whether in academic settings, the workplace or everyday life. This insight is going to be incredibly valuable when working in international or multicultural environments in the future.
Elizabeth’s tips for fellow students planning their year abroad
- Sort out your bank account and visa early: these can take time to process, so get started as soon as possible to avoid last-minute stress.
- Plan events and trips before you arrive: making plans for your first few weeks can give you something to look forward to when you're first settling in.
- Connect with others going abroad: find out who else from your class is going and join Facebook groups or university societies to make friends before you arrive.
- Research local transport and supermarkets in advance: knowing how to get around and where to shop will make your first few weeks much smoother.
- Time your arrival wisely: arriving a few days early can give you time to settle in and adjust before classes start.
- Keep a journal or scrapbook: a lot happens on your year abroad, so keeping a record of it can feel really rewarding. It’s also a nice souvenir for when you leave.
- Make the most of your time abroad: say yes to new experiences, travel when you can and step out of your comfort zone!
- Get involved in local culture: try local foods, attend events and explore your city to truly immerse yourself in the culture.
