A semester abroad—for many students, it’s the ultimate dream: exploring new countries, meeting fascinating people, and broadening one’s horizons at the same time. But before you start packing your bags, there are plenty of questions to consider: Which university is the best fit for my degree program? How do I arrange funding and housing? What challenges await me in daily life and in my studies? And above all: Why should I take this step?
At TU Hamburg, the Outgoing Office within the International Affairs Department coordinates and administers various mobility programs to enable as many students as possible to study abroad, and provides them with information in advance on what a suitable exchange program might look like for them.
One of the best-known and largest mobility programs worldwide is the Erasmus Program, launched by the European Union in 1987, which promotes student and staff exchanges between universities within Europe.
“Each academic year, around 170 students from TU Hamburg go to our European and global partner universities for an exchange semester or year—the majority of them within Europe as part of the Erasmus Program with financial support in the form of a partial scholarship,” says Marina Leß, Head of the Outgoing Office. “However, students are also drawn to our partners further afield in Asia, for example to China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, as well as to the Americas (Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.), South Africa, and South America.”
A Fair at TU Hamburg
To make it easier for students to get information, a “Study Abroad Fair” will be held for the first time in May 2026 at TU Hamburg in the LuK building. At so-called country tables, former outgoing students will share their experiences abroad, and current exchange students will report on their home universities. Interested students can strike up conversations, get first-hand tips on what to consider when planning a stay abroad, and find inspiration. In addition, there will be presentations by the International Affairs Department on the various options for organizing studies, internships, and short-term mobility abroad, as well as on intercultural preparation.
Marina Leß knows the questions students ask themselves at the start of their planning. “The first step should always be self-reflection,” she explains, “do I want to go abroad for a full year, prefer a semester of three to five months, or just a short stay?” The possibilities are diverse. For some, it’s interesting to get to know a different educational culture or gain practical experience in a company. Language proficiency also plays an important role: How can I improve my skills in advance if I don’t yet have a B1 level, which is required, for example, for Spanish-speaking countries? Is there a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and which partner universities does TU Hamburg have there for my degree program? How do I secure an internship in Canada? What does all this cost, and how can I finance it?
The Outgoing Team in the International Affairs Department is regularly asked all these questions. The staff help with orientation, for example through info sessions followed by Q&A sessions, by providing experience reports from alumni who have studied abroad, and through personal counseling during office hours. Language skills can be improved by attending free language courses and language cafés.
A stay abroad offers a wealth of experiences that enrich participants both personally and professionally. While challenges must be overcome, they are rewarded with an unforgettable time in your life!
