Kia ora & Guten Tag! In this episode, host Mareike Schmidt welcomes Aleisha Wallabh-Smith, a University of Auckland student who received a DAAD scholarship to attend a six-week Winter Course in Freiburg, Germany.

Aleisha shares what it was like to dive into intensive German language learning while discovering a new culture, navigating public transport, and enjoying surprisingly healthy and affordable meals at the Mensa. She reflects on her time in Freiburg, which quickly became a home away from home, and offers practical tips for future scholarship holders.

🎒 In this episode, we talk about:

• What motivated Aleisha to apply for the DAAD Winter Course
• Her first impressions of Freiburg and German student life
• Culture shock moments — from efficient transport to delicious Mensa meals
• Travels across Europe before the course began
• Lowlights (spoiler: barely any!) and standout highlights
• How the experience shaped her connection to language, culture, and future goals

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.