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Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät

Porträt-Serie: Internationale Begegnungen an der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät

26.03.2021

Wir freuen uns, Ihnen Juan Felipe Sardi (23) von der Universidad Icesi, Cali, Kolumbien vorstellen zu dürfen.

WiWi Fakultät: What was your motivation to spend a semester abroad in Germany?

Juan Felipe: I wanted to go to a different country, to experience a real challenge, and not to be settled in a similar culture like Spain or Italy. A mate from my home university gave me a recommendation for the city, he was excited about a great atmosphere of a students’ city, wonderful people and not too many restrictions in terms of admission procedure. I followed his advice and never regretted it. At present, the Covid-19 situation is much worse in Colombia than in Germany, that is why I decided to continue my studies here: now with the label of a free mover.

 

WiWi Fakultät: Why did you choose the University of Würzburg?

Juan Felipe: Your admission procedure is simple for exchange students and I knew from my friends who had studied at JMU in past that there are no difficulties with the transfer of earned credits. The Faculty of Business Management and Economics offers plenty of English speaking courses, which was also crucial for me. Moreover, exchange students have the option to take German language classes for free – what a paradise!

 

WiWi Fakultät: What cultural differences have you noticed so far?

Juan Felipe: The first thing that struck me was the missing eye contact– a German person finds it strange to look at someone he/she does not know. In Colombia people keep an eye contact everywhere, no matter if they know each other or not (for example on a bus). There is another interesting thing about Germany. The notion of time is very precise here (e.g. bus schedules). I have the impression that the Germans want to analyse questions themselves before they ask others. The German students are committed more to learning than in my own country. One of things that surprised me at the beginning was the loads of paper that you use while managing different formalities (e.g. at a bank). Everything must be printed, a strange thing in such a developed country.

 

WiWi Fakultät: What will be the advantages of your stay in Germany?

Juan Felipe: Germany helped me to develop as a person and as a student. I learnt to focus and to respect rules. I became a more open-minded person and I think that the German language will help me in the future, too.

 

WiWi Fakultät: How was the assistance by our university/faculty before and during your stay?

Juan Felipe: On the scale of 1 -10, it is a 20 ????. I received very good information in advance. You have a very quick reply time, and the webpage as well as e-mail communication are very good. I must say that the staff of the university does an extraordinary good job in these difficult times.

 

WiWi Fakultät: Which experience have you particularly enjoyed so far?

Juan Felipe: Great parties in summer, the trip to Europa Park was a wonderful experience and floating on the Main River in the summer was so much fun. I am grateful to have experienced the last year in Würzburg and to have extended my stay. It is my 3rd semester with you!

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