Alumni Voices

Mary-Pearl

Western Sydney University

Coming to Tubingen in January for the 2024 T-IES Winter School had been my first time travelling to Europe and it has been a deeply valuable and worthwhile experience, both academically and personally.

Not only was I able to claim 10CPs as a free elective towards my degree at my home university, I was also immersed in German and European culture through meaningful interactions with the Tubingen student buddies, T-IES teaching & support staff, my lovely German host family, and the broader community while living there for 4 weeks.

I left the program with profound new knowledge on the topics of migration, human rights and religion within Europe, based on the course content within Track A. This has undoubtedly broadened my worldview and instilled in me a newfound desire to travel more and continue learning about these issues in the global landscape.

The German language course was also a surprising highlight for me as I really enjoyed the quality of teaching we received, having no prior exposure to the language and culture. I had a great teacher and the classes were always engaging and fun!

I'll always look back fondly on my experience in Tubingen.

Joseph

University of Sydney

What a great opportunity. Not only did I learn so much about recent European history and EU institutions, but I also learned about the nuances of EU membership, methods to sustainable integration and peace, intercultural competence, and topical aspects. I enjoyed learning with a diverse cohort - students came from all around the world. I already miss my experience with IES Tübingen!

Thomas

The University of Western Australia

The University of Tübingen Winter School Program in European Union (EU) economics and politics is a wonderful opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds of study to delve into the complexities, nuance, and intrigue of European integration. With topics covering everything from political fragmentation, monetary convergence, radicalisation and ideological fundamentalism, economic crises, to EU membership augmentation, difficulties of social and cultural integration harmonisation, and , it was a thoroughly captivating program which developed - and in some cases, challenged - our pre-existing understanding and thoughts of modern-day European unification.
With a committed, supporting, and engaging group of International and European Studies (IES) academics and administrative staff, the program was an intellectually stimulating and enjoyable program to undertake. Similarly, with such a wholesome group of students from all parts of the world - coming from varied fields of study - the program was a pleasure to undertake.
As a student studying international relations, economics, and Francophone studies, this program has certainly been a wonderful opportunity. The program was a truly inspiring and enriching experience, one which I would highly recommend to any students seeking to obtain deeper understanding of the complexities of the EU.

The course covers so many ideas about Euroрe, and opinions and perspectives of students from different cultures and backgrounds make it even more interesting and engaging. Lecturers are real professionals, friendly and helpful!

The programme was amazing! It was full of new knowledge, networking, teamwork and literary baggage. The knowledge about the EU expanded with each lecture and I was looking forward to the next session. I would like to say a special thanks you to our lecturers, because they did a great job, thanks to them my academic interest in EU has only increased.  Thank you very much IES team! ❤️

Victoria

Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul

Thank you so much for all your attention during the last few weeks! The team is amazing and the city looks absolutely astonishing! I will definitely visit Tübingen in (a not so distant) future! I hope to further study in Tübingen as a PhD candidate perhaps :) Hopefully it is not so "Zukunftsmusik"!

Mariana

Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora

The IES Online Program was a wonderful experience for me, especially during a difficult and socially isolated time. I believe the online version was a challenge, but it also democratizes access to the course and even so, it enables enriching intercultural exchanges. The lectures were very dynamic and I think this makes the IES programm a great opportunity to learn about the EU, but also to discuss current issues in perspectives from all over the world.

Luísa

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

The Online Winter School at the University of Tübingen was an amazing opportunity to get a multicultural view on the EU and how it relates on an economical and political basis to different countries around the world. The debates were always encouraged and that deepened our knowledge and interests on the matter.
One of the best experiences in the program was to get to know people from completely different cultural backgrounds and still be able to discuss and understand each other with academic excellence and respect. I learned a lot from the professors and from my classmates.
I really appreciated the efforts from the IES Team to engage us and give us an experience as close as we would get if it had been in Tübingen. I certainly recommend it! Hope someday we can all meet and get to know the city!

Wafaa Wajihah

Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Three words: Engaging, Comprehensive, Worthwhile. Attending the IES Online Program was one of the best decision I have ever made in 2020. The IES team had done a phenomenal job in making the program a success, especially during one of the most challenging times in decades. Not only did I learn about the political and institutional framework of the EU but also the political sociology that makes Europe what it is today. 

The program has given me a new sense of appreciation towards the EU, global diplomacy and how much each of us is politically and historically more inter-related than we already are. I am tremendously grateful to have spent the end of 2020 with the passionate and dedicated IES professors, the IES team as well as my classmates who I have come to miss. I look forward to participating in more programmes offered by the IES department of the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen.

Yufei

University of Macao

IES Online Program provides us a wonderful platform to have a cross-cultural communication. I' ve learned a lot of professional knowledge on EU studies. Giving many thanks to lectures and professors here. And it's my pleasure to meet so many friends from different countries.

Vayne

University of Macau

It is a pity missing the opportunity to join the winter school offline to appreciate the beautiful scenary of the campus and the city of Tübingen. However, the harmonious atmosphere, inspiring teachers and fruitful learning outcomes are far beyond my expectation! I have had a wonderful experience with other fellow students from different parts of the world. We share ideas on those disputable questions and stories regarding our own culture. Jan and Cristina are both with great erudition and always remain open to students' comments and thinkings. Thank you for providing us with this precious chance to meet online even during the lockdowns of Covid-19.

Mingnan

Hopkins Nanjing Centre

IES Program is not only a summer school that you can get to understand the integration of Europe countries but also a cherished chance to exchange ideas with students from diverse background. The summer school features economic development, human rights, and cultural identity, which is what I have not learnt from my home university.

The course itself does not need pre-requirements on politicial science which is friendly for the beginner or people who are interested. The faculty members and the administrative staff are friendly and thoughtful. Even during the pandemic situation, we have made the intercultural exchange experience unforgettable by providing the IES café and interactive tools to enhance our communication.

如您有关于项目的问题，我非常乐意解答。

Claudia

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

This program was a great opportunity to learn about the European Union and, above all, to get to know the German culture. The topics of the program met my academic interests since I study international relations. The classes were very interactive and, above all, the study trips contributed to making my learning more meaningful. The professors and program coordinators were always helpful and aware of us. In addition, this program had international students and I managed to make very strong connections with them, I learned a lot from them and I had the best time of my life learning from different cultures. Another benefit of the program was living with a host family. This was a great opportunity to learn more about German culture, food, customs, etc. I definitely love Tübingen (it is a pretty town, with wonderful architecture, nature, bridge, river, and welcoming people ) and plan to come back for my masters.

Para cualquier duda, estaré feliz de ayudarles con más información.

Ilie

Université du Luxembourg

A great opportunity to learn on EU politics and deepen your understanding of the regional integration processes. The course allows for very interesting discussions and an enriching academic experience. I definitely recommend it!

Kinga

University of Leeds

I really enjoyed the IES Community interchange because I got to learn about a new topic and I got to do it in an international setting. It was interesting to learn about opinions in different countries.

Karolina

University of Leeds

Thank you for sharing the activities througout the weeks and helping us to get to know each other! I have really enjoyed learning about different cultures and seeing Tübingen. I cannot wait to visit the town soon and practise the German I have learnt, I know that this wont't be Zukunftsmusik. I am looking forward to bumping into everyone on the Tübingen streets :).

Aniela

University of Glasgow

Thank you so much for organising such a great summer school! The city looks absolutely amazing! I enjoyed all the classes and the effort that was put into organising everything is very impressie! Thank you so much!!!

Winnie

Prague University of Economics and Business

The IES online program gave a wonderful opportunity for intercultural experience and learning about the EU crisis online during the pandemic. Also, I met classmates from all over the world and learnt from a different perspective. 
As a student study in diplomacy, the summer school enhanced my knowledge in EU studies.
Thank you so much for the teaching and support in the program and I would like to recommend this course to you!
好開心可以回答你嘅問題,如果有任何疑問可以聯絡我:)

David

Leiden University

It was a huge pleasure to take part in the IES Winter school. The professors were wonderfully engaging and great at keeping the classrooms attention even in an online format. Just having finished the winter program I feel enriched by what I have learned and inspired to work all the harder because of the inspiring people whom I got to meet during the program.

Jaohara

University of Trento

This Online Winter School was a great opportunity to get to know students from all around the world, as well as to deepen and get a better understanding of EU dynamics. The classes were really interactive (greatly appreciated that) and any debate was always respectful. The professors were really engaging, couldn't gave asked for a better experience!

Gorka

Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona

This program has helped me to get to know the idiosyncrasy of the European Institutions as well as to deepen into the issues that affect them. I would recommend it to any student interested in the European project, whether they have knowledge of the EU or not. The program is the perfect start for anyone who wants to start a professional career leading to EU institutions. The professors and the material provided are great to learn. Likewise, the international community that is created within this program offers an extra learning that makes this course unique.

"Estaría encantado de responder a tus preguntas."

"Zure galderak erantzuteko prest nago."

Juan Francisco

University of Granada

The Summer School has been a really good opportunity to learn about EU and International affairs which I did not study at my home university. The most positive thing of the course is the possibility to exchange perspectives between people from all around Europe and the entire world, about topics such interesting as history, regional integration, economics, human rights or democracy.
I recommend any political science student to take this course. And also for student from other disciplines, since multiple areas are covered in an understandable way for everyone.
The teachers are of a high academic quality and international, and they try to solve any doubts and to encourage you to participate and to be interested in each session.
The online format is a really great option to sudy at an incredible university from your home, enjoying the intercultural experience in summer.
It is a course that will help me both in a profesional and personal area, since I would like to work in the future at the European Comission, and thanks to the Summer School I can now understand its functioning in a deeper way and made me even more interested in the EU.
Para cualquier duda, estaré encantado de ayudar a futuros interesados en el curso.

Florina

University of Zürich

It has been an amazing experience to study at the University of Tübingen for the IES Online Summer School. I enjoyed learning more about different areas related to law, politics, history and economics about the EU and its member states. I also very much enjoyed getting to meet other students from different countries and cultures and hope that one day we'll get the chance to meet in person.
I definitely recommend this program to anyone who is interested!

Elisabeth

IES Short Programs truly are so much more than only academic courses. I did gain valuable knowledge about European Politics, Human Rights and Economics and developed learning and interpersonal skills. But most importantly, I was inspired: Inspired by these people from different cultures and backgrounds to think broadly in order to understand the complexities of today's world. Inspired to learn eagerly to find possible solutions. And inspired to work so that I can one day apply my knowledge and drive change that will maybe make people's lives a little better. I am grateful for everything this course gave me!

Patrick

The University of Hong Kong

Being a Hong Konger, I have learnt more about our world through a European lens.
I have had a fruitful journey in the T-IES programme, from exploring European politics and economics to knowing excellent German cultures.
The snow, bicycles, joyful study trips and intellectual conversations with my peers and buddies are always to be missed.
I would recommend anyone who has a keen interest in Europe, especially Germany, to start seeing the world here at Tübingen!

歡迎提問，我願意解答你嘅問題！

Grace Li

University of Hong Kong

I really like it here in Tuebingen. I even felt unrealistic when I got back at Hong Kong. I missed the green city, the chill vibe and the university town. I am looking forward to coming back!

Sahib

University of Delhi

The IES program is very interesting and provided me a great international exposure through visit to various cities within Germany including a visit to Strasbourg, France. This course is tailor made for the students who would like to have a fine knowledge of European Union. I like my time at IES because it gave me a idea of the Culture and tradition of Germany. With the unique buddy program it is more than just amazing. My German buddy was very helpful and we are still in contact. The memories and friends that I made at IES are the ones that I’ll cherish lifelong.   

मुझे आपके सवालो के जवाब देने में खुशी होग़ी!

Rosita

Yogyakarta State University

It's so wonderful time to join IES program. I can learn more about EU institutions and what they do in politics and economic. Discuss and conference to talk, I learn about different perspective opinions from other friends and make me more understand about the topics too. Of course, I met teachers and many friends from around the world. They're so kind and sometimes we talk about our life how we do during pandemic and our travelling experience in other city or country. I won't regret about this program in my life!

This program so recommended to you guys who have a holiday time or confused what to do, you can join this and you can explore many things. Not only about the class but we can explore Tübingen culture, that's so incredible experience, trust me.

Kalau ada pertanyaan, bisa hubungi aku! :)

Saimon

Doshisha University

I learned how EU works and what problems of human rights in EU are. Especially, discussions of democracy and populism were interesting for me. 

And I enjoyed talking with Tübingen students in Buddy sessions. I learned a lot of other cultures. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn EU and European cultures.
連絡お待ちしております。

Kureha

Doshisha University

In this program, I gained insights into the political and economic roles of EU institutions, their approach to SDGs, religious aspects and challenges in Europe, as well as exploring traditional clothing. I enjoyed fieldwork held in each T-IES course, offering a distinctive opportunity to interact with individuals at the heart of EU institutions.

This program gave me unforgettable experiences and memories that I will forever cherish.

I highly recommend this program to everyone interested in learning about new cultures, aspects, and perspectives!

ご連絡お待ちしております:)

Dachao

National University of Malaysia

I was delighted to participate in this winter course. During this wonderful winter, I met many people from all over the world who were all very friendly. Even though all courses and activities were completed online, it was still a superb experience. The kind professors discussed a variety of topics with us in class, which aided students in getting to know one another. The four weeks flew by, but I was very impressed. I took this course because I wanted to meet more people from different backgrounds, learn new things, and hopefully broaden my horizons. Every encounter was worthwhile！ ：)

我很乐意回答你的问题!

Felix

National Open University of Nigeria

I enjoyed each moment spent online learning from the lecturers and connecting with other participants. However, the excitement would be great by meeting all the fellas in-persons. It would be a great pleasure learning your languages, cultures and traditions.
It will be a pleasure visiting beautiful Tuebingen during my visit to Germany and meeting the beautiful IES team in the near future.

Pournami

Nanyang Technological University

My time at Tübingen University was incredibly fulfilling and has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary for a bright future. The instructors, part of the exemplary TIES team, consistently went above and beyond to ensure that my study abroad experience was both pleasurable and intellectually stimulating. The abundance of resources and support provided by the school, including exclusive access to historic university libraries and unique spots around Tübingen, greatly enriched my academic journey. I was particularly impressed by the depth of knowledge displayed by my instructors in our discussions, which made each session both engaging and informative. This immersive program offered me invaluable insight on an international level, broadening my perspectives and enhancing my understanding of global issues. It was truly an experience of a lifetime, one that significantly contributed to both my personal growth and academic development. For all these reasons, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire TIES team for their unwavering commitment to excellence in education.

Belinda

National University of Singapore

Thank you University of Tübingen for the best summer school experience I could have asked for! The staff, teachers and student guides are always so friendly, understanding and willing to help. They are definitely a big part of this whole experience being so great!

I learnt much more than I would have thought from the IES Summer School in Tübingen, about the German language, the European Union and communicating with Germans. I really loved the way classes were conducted in an engaging and enriching manner, and the teachers were very knowledgeable about the subject topics.

The atmosphere in University of Tübingen never failed to make all of us at home, dare I say, I was never homesick! Lastly, I also learnt to become more self-disciplined, politically aware and environmentally conscious through my experience at University of Tübingen.

Definitely come to Tübingen if you would like to experience the warmth and homeliness of Germany (and learn a lot)!

Krystal Chiang

National University of Singapore

'If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.' ~Nelson Mandela

I would definitely recommend this program to friends around the world who are interested in boosting their German language proficiency and immersing in the German culture and way of life. Having been through around a year of online learning via Zoom, I am happy to be able to step into a classroom once again at Tübingen University. Tübingen is a true University Town and its tranquil environment as juxtaposed to the vibrant and diverse student population that resides there is part of its unique charm that draws people in; not just to study but also to live.

Personally I feel that I have not experienced all that Tübingen University has to offer, but from what I saw and heard, I can confidently say that I had a worthwhile time there. From professors and lecturers that are dedicated to their work to students that are engaged in learning, Tübingen University gave me a good impression. 

Attending Summer School was an honour and I hope future participants would also benefit from the cultural exchanges in the University and with their host families, as well as the various classes that educate one on general knowledge about the European Union and Europe as an entity. Remember to be proactive, ask many questions and stay curious. You will be surprised at how much you can gain from this experience.

Tan

Korea University

Well, to be honest it was a really awesome program and I love everything and everyone I met throughout the program. In terms of academic, we got to learn some basic knowledge about the European Union issues which I found out really interesting. Also, if you are interested in learning German, it is a great program for you to develop and learn it and the teachers are really kind and helpful. Of course, I also got the chance to travel a lot around Europe, meeting my host family which treats me so nice and we are still keeping in touch now although the program is over. Not to forget, I met a bunch of awesome people from all around the world and we are like a huge family, and Tübingen is definitely our home! It was one of the most beautiful and memorable summer in my life.

很高兴回答您的问题

Gaeun

Korea University

As a Korean student interested in the EU, this was a great opportunity to not only learn more about the EU from highly qualified professors but also experience teaching styles different from that of Korea. I loved the interactive nature of the classes and the opportunity to engage in discussions with students from all over the world! I feel the class captured  well the spirit of the EU, united in diversity :) 

Beyza

Istanbul University

Thanks a lot for this summer school, which helps us learn a lot and have good time. I would like to visit Tübingen and see its perfect nature!

Afrid

University of Nottingham

What did I enjoy most about the summer school?

One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the intercultural exchange where I was paired with my amazing buddy, Sophia who is German. I also loved the magical yet historical atmosphere of Tübingen. Exploring the town and eating Spätzle during breaks with my buddy group helped me feel immersed in the academic side of the course content and to feel slightly German.

What new skills or knowledge did I gain?

Academically, I developed a deeper understanding of memory studies, psychology and even biology through class discussion and collaborative projects. There's a big contrast in how we talked about things compared to my engineering degree - where there is usually only one right answer. Additionally, I improved my communication and awareness skills by tackling new, challenging concepts in such a diverse international setting.

What did I learn about myself?

Personally, I learned how adaptable I can be in unfamiliar environments, where I learnt German, followed local etiquette (recycling!) and by the end of it was able to recontextualise how I think about things back home in the UK. It also showed how much I enjoy exploring the world, and how it pushes me to think outside of my usual perspective/comfort zone.

How has the summer school influenced my academic or career goals?

The programme has let think about my engineering career with a new perspective - perhaps with a more philosophical approach. It also opened my eyes to the possibility of further international study & research - likely even in Tubingen!

What personal connections or friendships did I make?

I made lasting connections with both my peers and professors over the month. It felt freeing to talk about these sensitive/controversial/contemporary topics in an environment with other curious people, and I developed friendships with my classmates from France to Japan to the US, all over the world, which definitely has an inspiring feeling to it.

What aspects of the programme made the biggest impact on me?

Outside of the classroom, we had opportunities to explore the region (and other countries) using our unlimited public transport pass, engage with local culture, and participate in social events that created a real sense of community that I’ll miss.

How would I describe my overall experience?

This summer school has been transformative for both my academic and personal growth. I would highly recommend the programme to future students, especially those looking to push themselves socially whilst experiencing a new culture. It was a nice blend of studying, cultural enrichment, and personal development. I leave Tübingen feeling inspired and better prepared in life as a whole.

Annabelle

University of Nottingham

I have really enjoyed the IES community interchange - it definitely felt like a little community! It was great to learn about other cultures and learn more about my class mates out of the zoom sessions - I hope we can all meet in person one day! It has also definitely made me want to travel more when possible!

Niamh

University of Leeds

Thank you for sharing Tübingen with us over these past few weeks. The city looks beautiful, and I will definitely be adding it to my list of places to visit - hopefully sooner rather than later!

William

University of Leeds

Charismatic and engaging lecturers, a highlight of the academic year!

Tony

University of California, Davis

Studying in Tübingen was an unforgettable experience. The academic insights and diverse international community thoroughly enriched my insights and perspective. Moreover, the friendships and memories formed during this program are priceless; it was truly a transformative adventure.

Mary

New York

I applied to T-IES Winter School in Tübingen to see if the university was a good fit for me to pursue graduate school in Germany. I'm glad that I took the plunge into this program as it allowed me to experience life in Tübingen, take challenging and engaging courses on topics related to political/economic issues within Europe at a top university, explore the area of Baden-Württemberg while improving my German, and meet a community of friends from abroad that I still keep in contact with today. You'll have a solid support network of school staff and German students (buddies) at the university who are available to help you if you have any issues or concerns, and plenty of activities/events that this small university town has to offer! I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone interested in studying abroad, international relations, or German language courses that are provided at the university, both during and after your time in the program.

John

Oregon State University

The IES Program at the University of Tübingen was not related at all to what I am currently studying at my home university, but I am extremely happy that I decided to pursue the opportunity to learn something completely new to me, have class with peers who come from different cultural backgrounds, and get a taste of what German university classes are like. I enjoyed the interactive learning style used with the professors and students in all of the courses. In this program, I built everlasting friendships with my host family and fellow student peers. I fell in love with Tübingen and am strongly considering coming back to the University of Tübingen for my master's degree. I will also add that this program built up my confidence, made me more independent, and greatly helped my time management skills.This program was life changing for me, and I strongly recommend anyone regardless of their major to take part in this wonderful academic program!

Karli 

University of San Francisco

The IES Community has been such a fun and creative way to get to know everyone a little bit more. Without the ideas shared in the class cafe and the fun tasks to fulfill in the fabulous facts section, this virtual experience would not have been the same. Although we were unable to meet each other in person and explore the beautiful town of Tübingen this summer, it still felt like we formed a small community.

Imran

Oregon State University

A great course! After having participated in this IES Online Fall School 2020, I wonder if we should setup a virtual platform like telegram or some other where most people feel comfortable to stay connected virtually. It will be fun to exchange our views on contemporary issues and to keep on learning about our different perspectives!

Richard

Oregon State University

An incredibly informative course, whilst still being fun and engaging.