Through the Erasmus scheme and other mechanisms, thousands of Germans study for a semester or more in the UK every year. In 2012-13,14,500 German students enrolled at UK universities, the largest number from any continental member state of the European Union.
Some German students in the UK write about their learning adventures online. Many of their reports reveal extremely positive responses, not only to a sojourn in the UK but also to the broader experience of being a foreign student and expanding one’s horizons. The greatest barrier for such students, particularly those wishing to go to London, is the cost. But for those who can raise the funds or can subsist on the cheap, it certainly seems worthwhile.
Jelena, who spent a semester at what is now the UCL Institute of Education, raves on a website that encourages school pupils to study at university, about her “valuable six months outside Germany” and urges others to follow her example. For less than €400 (Rs.29,475) per month in rent, she shared a house with students from Spain, Italy and France, all of whom had great fun communicating with each other and with the locals in their “feeble English”.
Students also lavish praise on English universities, emphasising the genuine interest of academic staff in the learning-related and other activities of their foreign guests, generally good lectures, relaxed group discussions and great social outings and events, although whether this hospitality is normative for Afro-Asian students is a moot point.
Various student, university and subject-specific websites contain countless “experience reports” of study semesters in the UK. The general sentiment is positive, the message being that any disadvantages, such as cost, language hurdles or cultural differences, are substantially outweighed by the many advantages.
Moreover, one of the blessings of being a student, particularly a foreign and temporary one, is there’s less pressure to perform or compete (although this may depend to some extent on whether you are paying tuition fees and, if so, on how much you are paying). This combination of factors often makes for a relaxed but nonetheless productive time that rivals or even beats the best of holidays. It’s a unique opportunity that most likely will present itself only once in a lifetime.