At the beginning of July, I flew from the German summer to the South African winter, and I was honestly surprised by how cold it was in Stellenbosch. The change was noticeable in the first few days: new surroundings, new routines, new people, and at the same time a daily life that felt unfamiliar at first. Especially in this initial phase, alongside the excitement, there was also a quiet thought that probably many people who venture into something new are familiar with: the question of whether the decision was really the right one.

I am doing a dual degree at Lufthansa Industry Solutions and studied at Stellenbosch University in South Africa from the beginning of July to mid-December. As a dual student at the Nordakademie in Elmshorn, I was looking forward to a real student city. At the same time, Stellenbosch is the perfect starting point for experiencing the Western Cape.

Studying at Stellenbosch University: familiar and yet different

I took courses in strategic management, logistics and supply chain management, entrepreneurship and innovation, and economics. In terms of methodology and organisation, much of it was similar to state universities in Germany: clear course structures, a high degree of initiative, and a challenging level. At the same time, it was an adjustment for me because I normally study at NORDAKADEMIE, where I am used to a slightly different study organisation.

For me personally, the biggest difference was the exam and learning rhythm. Instead of a single large exam phase at the end of the semester, the assessments were spread throughout the semester, for example through quizzes, presentations, and written exams. This meant that we had to engage with the topics more regularly and intensively and internalise the content more thoroughly.

A second point was that all teaching was in English. After a short time, you notice how much your listening comprehension and vocabulary improve when English is not just a “subject” but part of everyday life in lectures, discussions, and presentations.

Life in South Africa: outdoors, lively, and very connecting

What particularly influenced me, besides my studies was the attitude towards life. Much of it takes place outdoors, and encounters happen more quickly when you are among people. In South Africa, for example, I discovered my love for basketball. The university’s own court was a place where you could immediately connect with others: you go there, play a few rounds, and suddenly you are part of a group.

I quickly realised that, at our core, we are often much more similar than we think. It’s less important where someone comes from and more important how open you are to others.

Cape Town and “First Thursdays”: a special view of the city and its culture

Cape Town was a frequent anchor point for me. One highlight was First Thursdays: on these evenings, the city feels like one big open meeting place. Galleries are open, bars move outside, and you meet people everywhere. It’s a special mix of art, urban energy, and spontaneous community – a vibe I had never experienced before.

Traveling in the Western Cape: Garden Route and lasting friendships

After the midterm exams, Stellenbosch University scheduled a week’s break, which we/I could use for travelling. Whether in Mauritius, Namibia, Uganda, or along the Garden Route – you can meet students from Stellenbosch all over the continent at this time of year. I was travelling along the Garden Route with a group of ten people. For me, South Africa has some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen: dream beaches, mountains, wide open spaces, and places where you just stop and stare.

For me, however, the real highlight was not just the landscape, but the time spent with people. Whether other Germans, international students, or South Africans: I made friendships that I am convinced will last. That is what makes months like these abroad so valuable in the end.

What I take with me for everyday life at Lufthansa Industry Solutions

If I had to summarise what I learned during my semester abroad, it would be the following:

• Quickly finding my place in new teams: Frequent group work with new constellations showed me how important it is to clarify roles, communicate clearly, and work together pragmatically.
• Recognizing and utilizing skills: Understanding who has which strengths in a short amount of time and assigning tasks accordingly makes teams noticeably more efficient.
• English as a working language: Lectures, discussions, and presentations in English have significantly improved my listening comprehension and active vocabulary.
• Continuous learning: Distributed performance assessments keep you constantly “in the loop” in terms of subject matter – a principle that can also be applied to professional development.
• Openness as the key: A sense of belonging develops quickly when you approach people – regardless of their background or context.

Conclusion
Looking back, my semester abroad in South Africa was a change of perspective: professionally through a more continuous learning rhythm, personally through a strong sense of community – and humanly through encounters that very quickly create closeness. I am grateful for this time in the Western Cape and for the friendships that resulted from it.
Anyone who has the opportunity to spend a semester abroad should take it. Not because everything will be perfect, but because you grow precisely when you open yourself up to new experiences.