Stepping Stones Into a New Life
We have received some wonderful feedback from Josephine, a German student who enjoyed an enriching and life-changing year with a host family in the UK.
“I first came to the UK on a one-month scholarship and during my stay in England, I found myself falling in love with the culture, the people, and the British lifestyle. Returning to Germany after that month only intensified my desire to experience an exchange year. After much hard work and determination, I secured a scholarship for an exchange year in England, arranged by EIL UK. This allowed me to immerse myself fully in the culture by living it rather than merely observing as an outsider.
Naturally, the program had its ups and downs, yet my exchange year in England remains the best time of my life, even after numerous other long-term stays abroad. I forged lifelong friendships, stayed with a wonderfully kind and welcoming host family with whom I still keep in touch, and found a second home.
Returning to Germany after building a life in another country was incredibly challenging, and I knew I would be back. After finishing school in Germany, I completed a year of volunteer service in Mexico whilst applying to my top-choice university, the University of Nottingham. I was thrilled when my hard work paid off, and I was accepted into this prestigious Russell Group university despite the competitive nature of the application process.
I began my course in Modern Languages in September 2020. My interest in politics and community support around the world fuelled my passion for foreign affairs and my aspiration to become a diplomat for the German Federal Foreign Office. The course at Nottingham was ideal, enhancing my proficiency in four languages and deepening my understanding of foreign cultures, their histories, and how to adapt to and immerse myself in them. I graduated in July 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Modern Languages: French & Spanish, earning a Second Class, Division One degree. To further strengthen my application for the highly competitive diplomatic service and to consolidate my knowledge of foreign affairs, I am now applying for a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy in Germany. Achieving my dream of becoming a diplomat would allow me to contribute to political change, no matter the scale, while satisfying my passion for travel as I would relocate every four years.
Put yourself out there, be brave and change your life for better
EIL was therefore a stepping stone into a very different, a very challenging but most importantly an incredibly rewarding direction in my life. It is crazy to think how different my life would be if I had not made that brave decision back then to live in a foreign country for a year on my own. And I would not change it for the world. I encourage everyone to put yourself out there, to be brave, to take that step and to change your life for the better, forever. Embracing change in your life means fully living it. This is how you see the world and this is how you grow.”
We would like to congratulate Josephine on her academic achievements and wish her all the best for her future studies and career.
