Endfassung Erstausgabe think.qxd

St. Cloud versus Ingolstadt
As International Students in Germany, we
are pleased to have the opportunity to
receive an education with you. In the short
time we have been here, we have already
encountered many differences between
the education institutions. These differences
are noticeable, however as we adjust,
the differences become minor as we benefit
from the cultural ways.
Many of us were surprised with the size of
the Fachhochschule because it is noticeably
smaller than most colleges in the
United States. For example, St. Cloud
State University has separate buildings just
for the College of Business, the College of
Education, the College Liberal Arts, and
many more. In addition, there are also buildings
set aside for the library, the cafeteria,
the athletic complex, and social activities
for the students where they can study, play
pool or bowl, watch a movie, or just hang
out with friends.
Other differences that we have become
aware of are that in the United States, college
students must pay for their education.
This is done by working part-time jobs,
obtaining school loans through financial
institutions, and/or by receiving financial
aid through state grants and scholarships.
Not only do college students work at parttime
jobs to pay for their college education,
but also to pay for their living expenses
since many students no longer live at home
with their parents.
In the United States, classes meet three
hours a week unlike here at the
42
think Auslandsberichte
Fachhochschule. Students normally attend
three 1hour classes, two 1 ½ hour classes,
or one 3 hour class per week. Students
usually attend all of these classes because
there are assignments and tests due
throughout the semester. Typically, each
student takes five classes per semester for
a total of 15 college credits. These classes
are normally spread out over all five days
of the week.
Another minor difference we have noticed
is that students at the Fachhochschule
state their student status by the number of
semesters they have completed. In the
United States, students are considered to
be either freshmen, sophomores, juniors,
or seniors by the number of years they
have completed.
In conclusion, we believe that even though
there are many differences between St.
Cloud State University and the
Fachhochschule, it is a benefit to us to
experience different cultural aspects of
education. We appreciate the opportunity
given to us to study and enhance our education
here in Ingolstadt and also the
hospitality shown to us since we have arrived.
As we continue to learn in the following
weeks we hope to become more
acquainted with the culture and the environment.
On behalf of St. Cloud State
University, we would like to give a special
thank you for the gratitude shown to us.
From Conny Walthzing
(Guest-Student)