#pre-semester

[chokedabillygoat]

Day 1 of Attempted Studyblr

First assignment is watching a video and now I just need to get my textbook before the semester starts. My favorite pen broke so my favorite pencil will have to do. Stay hydrated!!!

[uabroadintuebingen-blog]

DKK (Deutsch Kompakt Kurs)

If you have the option to do the 5-week intensive pre-semester course, do it!!! There are 3 teachers and 3 tutors, all of which want to get to know you and help you adjust to Tübingen and the university. They help you with a lot of the bureaucratic process and getting established in Tübingen as part of the course, including selecting courses which can be very confusing if your university uses a different system to Tübingen’s. They also take you on a bunch of excursions to nearby areas in Baden-Würrtemberg, which is arranged for you so less stress when planning little day trips.

The course itself is divided into three levels: A2/B1, B1, and B2. You get tested on the second day in a written and oral exam after you checked in on the first day. If you want to transfer the course back (it is worth 10 ECTS/5 UA credits), you need to make sure you land high enough to transfer the course back properly or check with your advisor. 

This course is also great because of the connections you make. The tutors and teacher give you contact information, and you can contact them for the rest of the semester if you are having problems. They may not be able to help you in every situation, but they can direct to someone who can. You also get to make friends with other international students, which is a huge help in adjusting to your life abroad.

The five weeks go by so quickly and it’s heartbreaking at the end when you won’t be seeing the same awesome people every day anymore. It is costly, but they help you adjust to Tübingen and the university and they keep you so busy you won’t have time to feel homesick!