Degreeprogramme at FH Aachen: Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty 8
Start and end of the stay abroad: 29/08/2011 - 16/12/2011
The semester abroad took place in: 5th subject-specific semester
Assessments:
Quality of the programme content: 2,0
Study conditions / facilities at the host university: 1.7
On-site support and assistance: 1.3
Campus: 2.0
Transport links to the campus: 2.0
Food on campus (dining hall (Mensa), etc.): 2,0
Sports facilities: 1.0
Leisure activities: 1.0
Bars / discos / nightlife: 2.7
Quality / cost of living: 2.7
Contact with locals: 2.3
Preparations
When did you start the preparations? September 2010.
How does the application process work and what documents are required? In any case, proof of health insurance in English. The best way to organise this is with the VIU office in Aachen. We also had a Facebook group where you could exchange ideas with other German students doing a semester abroad.
Does the host university require a language test? Yes, a language test at the DAAD in Aachen is sufficient (approx. 15 euros).
Useful tips or further information on preparation: As soon as you receive a payment receipt, you will know your student ID number. This can be found on the top left of the receipt (9-digit number). You can then use it to log in to campus-rec (password is date of birth (see note)). You should regularly check the registration start date of the courses there to avoid waitlist status (or enquire at the International Office in advance!!!).
Formalities
Do I have to pay fees at the host university? Yes, approx. 4600 euros.
Did you receive a scholarship to finance your stay abroad? No.
How high are the travel costs? Flight (approx. 1000 euros if booked 6 months in advance, STA Travel Aachen).
Did you have to take out additional health insurance? If so, which one and at what cost? Health insurance was offered by STA-Travel for approx. 120 euros with the flight, but VIU also offers its own health insurance (international health insurance is mandatory). The VIU health insurance must be cancelled on arrival!
Is further insurance necessary? No.
On site
What formalities have to be completed after arrival? Student ID card, cancellation of VIU health insurance if necessary (this is all done in the introductory event in the first week with students from higher semesters).
Where is the best place to live and what are the average housing costs? 400-500 CAD. As the area between VIU and the Nanaimo centre is very extensive (5-6 km), you should live directly in the campus residences (early registration (8 months in advance) is non-binding) or rent a flat near the centre (bus connections and shopping facilities are very good). Alternatively, you can stay with a host family, as many other students have had good experiences with this. It is advisable to buy the semester bus ticket for CAD 130. If you are sharing a flat with other students, it is also worth considering buying your own car.
What was it like looking for accommodation? We stayed in the Painted Turtle hostel in the city centre for 5 days at the beginning and then looked for a flat from there (the housing market is ok, after about a week the three of us had rented our own flat, Mt Benson Street).
What is the average cost of living? 700 - 900 euros per month.
What is cheap/expensive? Expensive: most food, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes.
What are the shopping facilities like? Limited. One shopping opportunity in the city centre and one between the city centre and the university (Student Village), the Woodgroove shopping centre can be reached in half an hour by bus from the city centre.
About the host university
Briefly describe the host university! VIU is a very internationally orientated university. A lot of effort is made to ensure that international students feel at home. Whether during the introductory week with a free BBQ, various orientation events or a wide range of leisure activities, there is nothing missing.
How was the quality of the courses? The level is lower than in Germany, but not undemanding. Classroom teaching requires active participation in lessons. Tests, midterms, quizzes, assessment of oral participation and presentations simplify the usual "exam phase" in Germany. At VIU, students are required to perform continuously throughout the semester, which has an impact on their final grade.
What are the facilities at the host university like? There are a large number of computers available in the library and in common areas. There is also a stationery shop and a dining hall (Mensa). There is also a Subways on campus.
What are the opening hours on campus, how are the Libraries, are there lecture notes? You have to buy books for most lectures, which are usually very expensive. In principle, you should first attend 2 or 3 lectures and then check whether it makes sense to purchase the book (possibly also available as an e-book in the library). These can then be sold again via the Student Union or the library. Personally, I only bought one book (I studied 3 subjects), I did without a book and had an e-book at my disposal. In my opinion, there are hardly any scripts, as is usual in Germany. The library is also open late at weekends.
How many hours a week did you have on average? The credit system differs from that which is usual in Germany. However, the subjects can be completed with a similar amount of effort (rather less). Recognition should of course be clarified in advance with FH Aachen.
Did the professors prepare you well for exams? The professors are always helpful. Exam requirements or requirements for tests or midterms were very transparent.
Are there special introductory courses for visiting students? Yes, introductory week at the beginning (you are notified by email).
What needs to be considered when the certificate is issued at the foreign university? After the last written examinations, you can apply for a transcript of records (10 CAD) to be sent home.
Who was the contact person at the foreign university? International Office
What did you like / dislike about the campus? Very well-kept enclosures. At the beginning, the campus was very busy due to the many different events, but this became less and less as the semester progressed.
How are the transport links? The transport links are good and you can manage with the timetable.
About the courses and lectures attended at VIU
Course attended: Int. Finance Lecturer: Mr Simons Course duration & scope, teaching form: 5 CTS Keywords for course description: Class (with participation) Form of assessment: Tests, Midterm, Final Exam, Group Work Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Accounting Lecturer: Mr Churlish Course duration & scope, teaching format: 5 CTS Key words for course description: Class (more like a lecture). Form of assessment: Tests, Midterm, Final Exam Is the course recommended? Yes.
Course attended: Organizational Behaviour Lecturer: Mr. Webber Course duration & scope, teaching form: 5 CTS Course description keywords: Class (with collaboration) Form of assessment: Group work, Midterm, Final Exam Is the course recommended? Yes.
Leisure activities
What is the range of sports facilities on campus? The university has a fitness centre (cardio machines, squash court, fitness equipment) where most of the usual equipment is available. Use of the squash court is free, you only have to pay a fee to borrow rackets (2 CAD). VIU also has a gym. At the beginning of the semester, you can "form" your own football, volleyball and basketball team with other students and compete against other student teams on a weekly basis throughout the semester (intramurals). Furthermore, courses in badminton etc. are offered, which, as far as I know, you can take part in free of charge. (http://www.viu.ca/campusrec/index.asp).
Do I have to pay for the sports programmes? No, only very favourable fees in some cases (see squash).
What leisure sports activities does the university offer? VIU offers a broad programme of leisure activities: Surfing (day and weekend trips), diving with seals, climbing (indoor/outdoor), hiking, caving, watching NHL games, rafting, kayaking and more. VIU is really great in this respect! However, you should book in good time or inform yourself well in advance, as the surfing trips, rafting etc. are very popular. There are also day trips to Tofino and Vicotria for sightseeing at favourable conditions. The leisure activities are subject to a charge, but are really very reasonably priced (e.g. day trip surfing incl. transport and supervisor approx. 25 CAD).
What sights are there on site? Trips to interesting towns such as Victorica are offered regularly (check by email for information).
What tourist attractions does the surrounding area have to offer? Vancouver (1.5 hours by ferry, 15 CAD), partying in Vancouver: Granville Street. Stay overnight in Vancouver: SameSun Backpackers, Granville Street or HI Vancouver Central (be sure to take Eric's tour there, the guy is a blast and has a great all-round programme including Capilano Canyon!!!). If you have money to spare, you should take a private trip (possibly after the semester) to Whistler for snowboarding or skiing.
Are there many good restaurants and bars nearby? Old City Pub in the centre, the Dinghy Dog Pub (on the other side of the lake) can be reached by a small boat from the harbour (good food, the Music Quiz on Thursday evenings is also highly recommended), the burgers from White Spot are also highly recommended (the best in Canada in my opinion).
Are there any specialities to be aware of in the local cuisine? Yes, you should pay attention to whether the tip is shown on the bill or not. Otherwise you should tip accordingly (10-20%).
Where do you go in the evening (pubs, bars, discos, cinemas) and what is recommended? The Student Pub on campus is always busy on Wednesdays, and we also recommend the Old City Pub, Level 2 or Club 241! A quiet evening with a game of pool at Cambies Pub is also recommended. Unfortunately, the closing time in Canada is 2am!
Are there any special customs/customs among the locals? Canadians are always very nice and helpful, which can sometimes be annoying. For example, we didn't have internet in our flat at the beginning, but after asking the lady in the flat below us, we were able to use her Wi-Fi and therefore didn't have to buy our own internet.
Final considerations - Conclusion
How would you rate your stay abroad overall? It was a unique experience that you should definitely have! The university staff really go out of their way and are very accommodating. The courses were also very interesting. The adventurous trips, the city of Vancouver in the immediate vicinity and the small but usually well-attended discos in Nanaimo in the evening programme rounded off the stay.
Did you choose the right time for your semester abroad? Yes.
What were the high and low points of your stay? Certainly the leisure trips were absolutely unique and therefore highly recommended. I took part in rafting, surfing and climbing trips as well as various hiking trips. There was no real low point.
What will remain unforgotten? The experiences from the various trips, the long party nights and the adventures in and around Vancouver will remain unforgettable.
What advice would you like to give to other students on your degree programme who decide to spend a semester abroad at this foreign university ? It is definitely worth the experience to study at VIU. However, you should be aware (which I can now say in retrospect) that Nanaimo is a sleepy little Canadian town, which you can hardly really get to know due to the enormous distances between the "neighbourhoods". These dimensions are not comparable to those here in Germany. So if you are looking for a semester abroad where the place itself has a lot to offer, short distances and parties à la American Pie, this is not the place for you. The VIU trips are therefore an absolute must if you want to experience something or get to know people. As described, they are very well organised and varied! The parties in the student pub and in discos such as Level 2 can also be good (closing time at 2am in British Columbia!!), but we often switched to Vancouver. The nightlife there is of course particularly good (Granville Street).
Any criticism or suggestions? Contact with Canadian students is rather difficult as most of them drive home after their courses (many students come from towns in the surrounding area). Therefore, if you are doing the semester abroad alone, you may prefer to stay in the student residences or with a host family. There are also many German students among the international students, so you will quickly find like-minded people.
