Elsa Popovici shares about her exchange at University of Heidelberg
Kia Ora & Guten Tag: Exchange Stories
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Show Notes
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 applied
- Aligning courses between UoA and Heidelberg
- Finding accommodation and settling in
- Culture shock moments (and why Germany felt like home)
- Travel adventures across Germany and Europe
- Why German public transport is a dream
- What’s up with the bottle deposit system (“Pfand”)
- Stereotypes and surprises
- Elsa’s advice for anyone planning a semester abroad in Germany
If 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 Heidelberg
https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/de
Check out exchange options with 360International at University of Auckland
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/360-international.html
Your options to study German Abroad with the University of Auckland
Stay informed about opportunities with DAAD Scholarships
https://www.daad-newzealand.org/en/find-funding/scholarship-database/
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This podcast is made possible with support from the DAAD Lectureship Programme.