Kia ora & Guten Tag! In this episode, host Mareike Schmidt welcomes Emma Uren and Josh Wang, two students from the University of Auckland who received a prestigious DAAD Winter Course scholarship to study German in Freiburg, Germany.

Over six immersive weeks, Emma and Josh dove into language learning, cultural exchange, and European travel — and today, they share their stories, surprises, and standout moments. From navigating the application process to experiencing life in a German university town, this episode is full of practical tips and personal reflections for anyone curious about studying abroad.

🎒 In this episode, we talk about:

• How Emma and Josh first got into learning German
• What the DAAD Winter Course is and how the application process felt
• Insights into the intensive language course in Freiburg
• Culture shock moments and how they adapted
• Weekend travels and the feeling of connectedness across Europe
• Honest lowlights and uplifting highlights
• Advice for future DAAD scholarship holders
• How the experience shaped their language skills and global outlook

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Kia Ora & Guten Tag: Exchange Stories on your favorite podcast platform and share it with someone dreaming of studying in Germany.

Bis bald — see you soon!

Stay informed about opportunities with DAAD Scholarships

https://www.daad-newzealand.org/en/find-funding/scholarship-database/

More general information about the University in Freiburg

https://uni-freiburg.de

Check out exchange options with 360International at University of Auckland

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/360-international.html

Your options to study German Abroad with the University of Auckland

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/arts/current-students/student-exchange-and-study-abroad0/study-abroad/german.html

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This podcast is made possible with support from the DAAD Lectureship Programme.