Kia Ora & Guten Tag: Exchange Stories

Kia ora & Guten Tag! In this episode, host Mareike Schmidt welcomes Emma Uren and Josh Wang, two students from the University of Auckland who received a prestigious DAAD Winter Course scholarship to study German in Freiburg, Germany.Over six immersive weeks, Emma and Josh dove into language learning, cultural exchange, and European travel — and today, they share their stories, surprises, and standout moments. From navigating the application process to experiencing life in a German university town, this episode is full of practical tips and personal reflections for anyone curious about studying abroad.🎒 In this episode, we talk about:How Emma and Josh first got into learning GermanWhat the DAAD Winter Course is and how the application process feltInsights into the intensive language course in FreiburgCulture shock moments and how they adaptedWeekend travels and the feeling of connectedness across EuropeHonest lowlights and uplifting highlightsAdvice for future DAAD scholarship holdersHow the experience shaped their language skills and global outlookIf you enjoyed this episode, follow Kia Ora & Guten Tag: Exchange Stories on your favorite podcast platform and share it with someone dreaming of studying in Germany.Bis bald — see you soon!Stay informed about opportunities with DAAD Scholarships https://www.daad-newzealand.org/en/find-funding/scholarship-database/More general information about the University in Freiburghttps://uni-freiburg.deCheck out exchange options with 360International at University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/360-international.htmlYour options to study German Abroad with the University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/arts/current-students/student-exchange-and-study-abroad0/study-abroad/german.html-------This podcast is made possible with support from the DAAD Lectureship Programme.

Kia ora & Guten Tag! In this episode, host Mareike Schmidt speaks with Sara McKoy, a University of Auckland graduate who received a DAAD scholarship to attend an intensive German language course — the Winter Course — in Berlin.Sara shares her journey from the stressful wait for her scholarship confirmation to ringing in the New Year (Silvester!) in Germany’s capital. With a strong interest in politics, history, and journalism, she reflects on how learning German deepened her understanding of European perspectives and opened new academic doors. From culture shock moments to practical advice, this episode is full of insight for anyone considering studying German abroad.🎒In this episode, we talk about:How Sara applied for the DAAD Winter CourseThe emotional rollercoaster of waiting for the scholarship decisionWhat it was like to spend Silvester in BerlinHow her interests in politics, history, and journalism connect with learning GermanCulture shock moments and how she adaptedHer advice for future DAAD applicants and German learnersIf you enjoyed this episode, follow Kia Ora & Guten Tag: Exchange Stories on your favourite podcast platform and share it with someone dreaming of studying in Germany.Bis bald — see you soon!Stay informed about opportunities with DAAD Scholarships https://www.daad-newzealand.org/en/find-funding/scholarship-database/Check out exchange options with 360International at University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/360-international.htmlYour options to study German Abroad with the University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/arts/current-students/student-exchange-and-study-abroad0/study-abroad/german.htmlMore general information about the University of Heidelberghttps://www.uni-heidelberg.de/deMore general information about the University in Freiburghttps://uni-freiburg.de-------This podcast is made possible with support from the DAAD Lectureship Programme.

Kia ora & Guten Tag! In this episode, host Mareike Schmidt welcomes Elsa Popovici, a University of Auckland student who spent a semester abroad at the University of Heidelberg — one of Germany’s most historic university towns.Elsa shares how she discovered the opportunity to study in Germany, navigated the application process, and aligned her studies at UoA with her exchange semester. From settling into student accommodation to exploring Europe by train, she reflects on what made Germany feel surprisingly familiar — and what took some getting used to (yes, we talk about Pfand and public transport!).Whether you're planning your own exchange or just curious about life in Germany, this episode is full of practical tips, honest reflections, and a few laughs about cultural quirks and stereotypes. 🎒In this episode, we talk about:How Elsa learned about the exchange opportunity and appliedAligning courses between UoA and HeidelbergFinding accommodation and settling inCulture shock moments (and why Germany felt like home)Travel adventures across Germany and EuropeWhy German public transport is a dreamWhat’s up with the bottle deposit system (“Pfand”)Stereotypes and surprisesElsa’s advice for anyone planning a semester abroad in GermanyIf you enjoyed this episode, follow Kia Ora & Guten Tag: Exchange Stories on your favourite podcast platform and share it with someone dreaming of studying in Germany.Bis bald — see you soon!More general information about the University of Heidelberghttps://www.uni-heidelberg.de/deCheck out exchange options with 360International at University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/360-international.htmlYour options to study German Abroad with the University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/arts/current-students/student-exchange-and-study-abroad0/study-abroad/german.htmlStay informed about opportunities with DAAD Scholarships https://www.daad-newzealand.org/en/find-funding/scholarship-database/-------This podcast is made possible with support from the DAAD Lectureship Programme.

Kia Ora & Guten Tag – Exchange StoriesWelcome to Exchange Stories, a podcast about international study experiences between Aotearoa New Zealand and Germany.Hosted by Mareike Schmidt - Professional Teaching Fellow in German at the University of Auckland and DAAD Representative - this show features conversations with students who’ve studied abroad or learned German in Germany. They share personal stories, practical tips, and honest reflections on everything from application processes to cultural surprises.🎒 Topics include:How to apply for an exchange semesterPartner universities in GermanyCross-crediting coursesThe DAAD Winter CourseLanguage requirements and scholarship adviceWhether you're a student, parent, or simply curious about life between two hemispheres — this podcast is for you.Subscribe now and join us for inspiring stories and useful insights. Bis bald – see you soon! 🎧-------This podcast is made possible with support from the DAAD Lectureship Programme.