Iris Roling | 26-3-2021
Personal Report
I did my semester abroad at the University of Tübingen. The courses I took were all based on German linguistics and literature. In the linguistic courses we focussed primarily on syntax and in the literature courses on medieval literature and culture. Furthermore, we discussed many different models for the analysis and interpretation of texts in a course called Methodenseminar. Lastly, I chose a lecture that focused on rhetoric, poetry and aesthetics.
The most interesting course I took was “Einführung in die Mediävistik und die deutsche Sprachgeschichte“. There, we discussed how the Germanic language was spun off from the Indo-European language and how Old High German (althochdeutsch) and Middle High German (mittelhochdeutsch) were formed from it. We then concentrated on the Middle Ages and learned how to translate the Middle High German language into New High German (neuhochdeutsch), the language which we now know as German. I actually found it very exciting to see and hear how texts and later literature have gradually changed in time. I believe that this course has added something to my understanding of the German language and will help me later on in German literature research. What I learned at the methodological seminar will actually help me, because understanding these models and applying them is very helpful when writing an essay or a thesis. During the mobility period I wasn’t in Tübingen. I only was there the first two weeks before the courses started. The accommodation that I rented looked very clean and the basic things were available. I only had to share the bathroom and toilet with 5 other students. Only one of the students was there, because of the Corona virus. After the two weeks I returned home, because I was sick. After that I wanted to return to Tübingen, but then I and also other students were advised not to. So, eventually I stayed at home for the whole semester, but I did have to pay the rent. Although I had a nice time at the university virtually, I enjoyed it less, because I had to pay every month while I wasn’t even there. Fortunately, I had the Erasmus+ Grant. But if I would have known it would all turn out like this, I wouldn’t have done the semester in Tübingen. Then I would probably have waited a year, so I could me actually present during the semester.
So, I wasn’t in Tübingen during the semester and took the courses online. Initially, I had some problems with the online courses. I didn't quite know how everything was going to happen, in what format and so on. After the first meetings, however, it would gradually become clear. They didn’t prepare us very well for what was coming, but it was a rare situation for the whole world, so I don’t blame them for that.
Also when there hadn’t been a Corona virus, I do not believe that every problem can be prevented, because everything is new and it is logical that we do not understand
everything at the beginning. What you can do best is just ask as much as you can, and that is what I did.
Iris Roling | 26-3-2021
Despite the virtual structure of the semester, I found it very nice to see how the seminars and lectures at a German university are designed and structured. Most seminars at the University of Groningen are 2 hours. At the University of Tübingen it was only one hour. I really liked that, because we could use the rest of the time to practice ourselves. In the seminars, only the most important questions are explained and possible questions are clarified, so that we can go continue with the practice.
Those who needed extra support could take part in the tutorials. I was very surprised by how creatively there was thought about it. There were chatgroups in which we could ask a question and the lecturer would answer it. Other students could also respond at the questions. I could also send in exercises or speech tasks, which are then evaluated, so I could be sure that it would be right at the time I had to write the exams. This was all optional, but very helpful.
It really was a shame that I couldn’t actually be in Tübingen. Because of that, I didn’t really have a lot of personal contacts. But I actually developed more knowledge and admiration for the German language. I was surprised how nice and helpful the lecturers and German students are. This probably resulted from the prejudice of Germans being strict. Because of that I somehow expected that it would be very strict at the German university
universities. That was not the case, of course.
Furthermore, I’ve noticed that because of the Erasmus semester it is now easier for me to start a conversation in German. It doesn’t really matter whether it is study-related or a conversation at for example the supermarket. I had the speak German for a whole semester and that has really made me more confident about speaking in the German language.
I would certainly recommend an Erasmus semester to other students at the University of Tübingen. Despite the online courses, the sessions were very well designed and it also worked very well. Furthermore, the lecturers and students are simply very friendly and helpful. I was only in the city for a short time at the beginning, but also Tübingen is a very beautiful city. There is a lot to see and enough dining facilities and other nice shops.
