Strengthening intercultural connections: Studying abroad through the eyes of YSU student Ether Khalijyan

Ether Ghahijyan, a student from the Department of Intercultural Communication (English) at Yerevan State University, has spent one semester studying at the University of Greifswald in Germany. During her time in Germany, Ether enhanced her linguistic skills and, by interacting with students from various nationalities, developed her intercultural communication abilities. At the same time, she highlights the challenges she faced, such as the unusually cold weather conditions and the need to adapt to a completely independent lifestyle.

"Students in Germany have the opportunity to choose their courses and the number of lessons. I attended two classes each day, each lasting 120 minutes. In some cases, attendance was not even mandatory. The city was filled with events tailored for students, making daily life active and diverse," Ether shared, also adding that student life there was vibrant, with students spending time after classes in student clubs, art workshops, karaoke bars, and other venues. 

According to Ether, the focus at the University of Greifswald was on independent work, flexible attendance, and online assignments. She noticed the practical and "dry" nature of the relationships between students and professors. She honestly admits that the warmth and camaraderie typically found among YSU faculty members were absent in the German environment.

"By interacting with professors and students who have different mindsets, I learned how to reconcile ideas and analyze them. This helps me both in my academic and personal life, allowing me to understand people better and analyze situations from different perspectives. Yerevan State University is not just an educational institution; it is a place where I discovered myself, expanded my horizons, learned from my failures, met important people, and improved my skills and abilities. All of this will help me achieve success both in my career and in my personal life," she emphasized.

A lover of multi-genre films and discovering new places, Ether Ghahijyan plans to continue her studies at the master’s level, although she has not yet decided on the specific program.