Culture
What’s your job?
Study Abroad Coordinator at an NRW university
How do you explain your job to friends & family?
I advise and work with students from my university during every step of their stay abroad: from the first idea, through planning, financing, departure and all the way till their return. After that, we might start planning the next one, because the first long stay abroad is addictive! Our programs go beyond the typical university semester abroad, including internships, thesis projects and short duration programs that can last as little as one week. I really enjoy helping our students with arguably the best experience of their studies. Everyone always comes back so grateful and motivated! And I also enjoy having contacts with partner institutions, both in Germany and around the world. I connect with the whole world through the eyes of my students and colleagues.
Where did you spend a semester abroad?
I went to the University of Dortmund, now called TU Dortmund. I was studying Business Administration at the small Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).
How did you end up deciding to remain in Germany?
I actually went back home after my semester abroad. However, by my second day there, it was clear to me that I needed to find a way to get back to Germany, at least for a short time. I found life in Germany very carefree and more interesting than back home in the US. I learned something new here every day: about myself, about German culture, but also about my own culture and values. After my bachelor’s degree and an internship in Lower Saxony, I went back to the University of Dortmund to follow the advice of a professor there. I started a second bachelor’s program, a bilingual program called Applied Literature and Cultural Studies. At that time, I especially appreciated the free education in Germany. This was also ultimately the reason I stayed for a master’s degree. Afterwards, the job opportunities here were better than in the US – and I also met the love of my life!
All around happy: this is what Laura Hope's first Instagram post might have looked like in the summer semester of 1999.
What three things do you miss about home?
- The people there are friendlier when you first meet them, more open and it’s easier to talk with new people. In general, people have a more positive attitude in many respects than in Germany. Strangers will often offer a compliment out of the blue.
- The sun! Especially when it’s winter in Germany…
- The food! Even though it’s often not so healthy: okra, grits, fried green tomatoes, soul food and Tex-Mex. And Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
What are three things you love about your new home country?
I can’t limit myself to just three – there are so many advantages!
- It may take longer to meet new people here, but you generally end up with honest, deeper connections that last a lifetime.
- Openness to other people and acceptance of other values.
- Germany in Europe: being close to other countries and cultures and the thought of a unified Europe.
- Public transport and the bicycle culture! Not being dependent upon a car is a great feeling.
Personal learning: What advice would you give future exchange students/expats?
- Don’t surround yourself with people from your own country. Be open to new people and new experiences – and say yes to every invitation and idea!
- Make mistakes when you speak! Just talk. It’s the only way to learn.
- Go off the beaten path – visit small towns and the local surroundings beyond the tourist attractions. You’ll get to know the place more intimately, and it’s better for the environment.
What’s next for you?
I’m very happy with my life and my job. I could go on like this for another 30 years! But I have a little sabbatical in the works for the end of 2023. I’m taking a 6-month trip to South Africa to work on projects in a small village. I’m diligently studying Afrikaans right now – and constantly mixing up German, English and Afrikaans. I’ll also be spending a few months with friends and family in the US, because they’re sorely missed despite all the modern means of communication. After that, I’ll be back on the job with fresh energy in the spring of 2024!
