Preparing for my semester abroad

Between paperwork, excitement, and lots of expectation

Hi! I'm Eve, 23 years old, from Würzburg, and I'm studying for a master's degree in brand and media management. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to go to the US – not just for a vacation, but to really immerse myself, live there, study, and experience everyday life. Since I'm now about to complete my master's degree, it was clear to me: if not now, then when? For me, this was the last realistic opportunity to spend a semester abroad – and I definitely wanted to take advantage of it.

My decision to attend City University of Seattle was made fairly quickly. For one thing, CityU is an official partner university of my home university, which simplified many organizational matters. For another, Seattle was simply the perfect combination for me: a big city, American culture, international diversity, and at the same time nature, water, forests, and mountains right on my doorstep. I felt that I could gain an incredible amount here, both academically and personally. I made the decision to go abroad in the spring of 2025 back in August 2024. Looking back, that was exactly the right decision – because the preparation time was longer (and more exhausting) than I had originally thought.

To be honest, the organizational preparation was a real challenge. Of course, you know that you have to arrange a lot of things for a semester abroad, but you only realize how much it really is when you're in the middle of it:

1. Applying to CityU: The application process was handled through World of Students and was fortunately well structured. Nevertheless, I had to gather a lot of documents, write a letter of motivation, submit transcripts, and prepare supporting documents.

2. Clarify financing & apply for foreign BAföG: The financial aspect was the biggest pain point for me personally. Tuition fees in the US are high – and the cost of living in Seattle should not be underestimated either. I therefore applied for foreign BAföG relatively early on. This was a bureaucratic project in itself: I had to submit proof of academic achievement, rental costs, insurance documents, and much more. It took several months for the decision to come through – but ultimately, it was the crucial support without which the semester would not have been possible.

3. Visa process: The visa process was also quite lengthy. I read up extensively on the subject, filled out forms, paid fees, and attended my appointment at the consulate in Frankfurt in February. The interview itself was short, but preparing for it took quite a bit of time—and nerves.

4. Accommodation & subletting: In Seattle, I live in a dormitory, which made the initial phase much easier for me. At the same time, I had to sublet my apartment in Germany, which also required careful preparation. Rental agreement, handover, communication with potential subtenants—everything had to be organized in good time.

5. Other to-dos: international health insurance, international credit card, check vaccination status, adjust cell phone contract, organize SIM card, book flight, write packing list, power of attorney for authorities... The list was long and somehow never got any shorter.

What really helped me was keeping a master list where I wrote down all the tasks and then worked through them step by step. Without this overview, I probably would have lost track of everything. A real bright spot in this process was the support I received from World of Students. I could ask questions at any time—whether about the application, the visa process, or organizational details. The responses were quick, clear, and helpful. It helped me enormously to have someone at my side who knew what they were doing and kept track of everything. Especially in stressful phases, this was very reassuring—and I can really recommend to everyone not to be afraid to ask questions and ask for support.

One thing that should not be underestimated when it comes to all the organizational aspects is the emotional side. The closer the departure date got, the more I asked myself: Am I really going through with this? I underestimated how hard it would be to say goodbye to my family and friends. It's not just a temporary farewell—it's a real step away from my normal life. And it feels strange at first to set off with just one suitcase, without knowing exactly how the next few months will unfold.

I had many thoughts: Will I be able to find my way around? What if I feel lonely? What if I get homesick? But at the same time, I was filled with excitement. The USA. Seattle. A new degree program. New people. New perspectives. And the opportunity to be completely on my own—and to grow from it.

Preparing for my semester abroad was challenging—organizationally, financially, and emotionally. There were moments when I was simply tired of the paperwork and had doubts about whether I should really go through with it. But today – as I write these lines, sitting in a small café in Seattle with a view of the skyline – I can say: Every minute of preparation was worth it. If you're thinking about going abroad: Do it! Prepare well, allow enough time, get support – and go for it. You won't just get to know another country, you'll also discover a new version of yourself.

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