Name: Eugenia
Age: 26
Country of origin: Russia
Degree course: English and Theater studies
School: Ruhr-University

Priwet, my name is Genia and I'm from Moscow. I've been in Germany for 3 ½ years and I've been studying English and Theater studies at the Ruhr-University for 5 semesters in the bachelor program. Studying in Germany gives me the perfect opportunity to acquire new knowledge from the center of modern Europe and to master my studies in two foreign languages (German and English).
Before I started studying I had been living in Bochum for 11 months, preparing for the DSH-test in a German course at the Ruhr-University (at the Akademisches Auslandsamt).

I chose Bochum for several reasons. Firstly, Bochum is near big cities like Düsseldorf and Köln. Secondly, the cost of living is lower here than it is in bigger cities. Finally, friends of my family live here, who helped me to get along at the beginning.
After arriving here, I was fascinated by all new things. However, I had problems with the language, since I was only in Grundstufe II (basic level 2) and didn't know much German yet. With the help of my friends I opened a bank account and set up a telephone connection. Other everyday tasks I had to resolve by myself: For example, I didn't know how to pay for the washer in the dormitory, or that you have to charge the money card for that purpose. I was also unsure which health insurance company to choose. Later, I needed help with arranging my first class schedule and with understanding the German system of higher education.

At first I found it very unusual that all shops are closed on Sundays. In Moscow, you usually go shopping on the weekend – the adjustment was hard to get used to. Since Bochum is quite small, the city gets empty on Sundays and after 8 at night – there just aren't any people on the streets any more… But that Bochum is small also has some advantages: the air is clean and fresh – you just feel healthy! The infrastructure on campus is perfect. Everything you need is close by: shops, banks, fitness studios, restaurants etc. The dormitories here are comfortable and well furnished.

I work as a student assistant for a department chair of my university and I live in a dormitory for students, 15 minutes away from the university.

To get in contact with the German students, you first have to be fluent in German. If you're open-minded and active and like to do things you can overcome the barriers quickly. You just shouldn't be afraid of new things and of making mistakes in German!

Since I will be studying for about one more year, I don't know what to afterwards yet. However, I can imagine working in Europe.