Last month I received an email from Haroon & Sumaya asking about my experience studying at HS Ravensburg-Weingarten (University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten). Firts of all, I’m sorry that I could only answer it now and congrats to your son. He sure are among the lucky one to be admitted I decided to answer you in a post cause I think it might be useful to others who also interested in applying to this university (HS). Everything I’m going to write after this are mostly based on my experience so if you find out it’s somehow not true, just let me know.

When you decided to further your study in Germany, you have an option to go either to university or hochschule. From what I know, in university the courses are more into theory in comparison to HS. HS are known to be more practical oriented and the students are required to complete at least 1 practical semester before they finish with their studies. University students are expected to be more independent while in HS (or at least in HS Ravensburg-Weingarten)  most of professors are still providing notes and a lot of info for the students. In term of duration, I heard that in university the courses are normally much longer than in HS. They normally have 9/10 semester alltogether but in most HS there are normally just 7 semester for a bachelor study. I’m not so sure about the total credit hours in university but in HS it is normally 29 to 31 credit hours per semester. If you choose to study in HS, you have to know that there are no study weeks before the exam. Sometimes you finish your last class today and the next day is already your final exam. So you really have to study during the semester. Last minute study may be a disaster. Since I’m not a fan of too much theory, I found HS is a perfectplace for me. Practicals and laboratories had help me to better understand the things that I’ve learned in class. If you thinking about whether to study in university or in HS, you should ask yourself which one suit you best. Which study approach is better for you? Are you prefer to have your time and learn by yourself or you prefer helps and practical oriented classes? I hope by now you are clear on the basic differences between university and HS.

As an engineering student, the issue about recognition from board of engineering has been heard since ages. Most engineering students are afraid that they wasted their times for nothing in the end because the courses or the university is not recognized by board of engineering. But I’m agree with Haroon that it shouldn’t be that big issue. If you really love what you learn and you did very well, I’m sure your future won’t be that hard. But sure if you able to avoid conflict, do so

Why Weingarten? Why choose to study in such small town. Why not in Stuttgart or Munich or Frankfurt or Berlin? It is simple for me. I came here to study. Not to have fun. If I live in a big city, it would be too much distraction for me. The most important thing is, I’m in a good university. I’m glad that I went to HS Ravensburg-Weingarten. Eventhough it situated in a small town, it has it’s own name and contact around Bodensee area. So far whenever I went for an interview for a practical place or thesis, they sure have heard about HS Ravenburg-Weingarten. They also claim that they are in some top ranking (which I’m not very sure of) but I personally do not really care about that. I know they got really good professors and staff who is always willing to help. I heard a lot of stories from my friends in other universities where the professors or the staff are not very helpful and for a foreign students like me, it would be a challenge to deal with that on top of a difficult life as a student.

Do not worry much about the subject being not very up to date. Maybe it is just the way they name it or if it is true, you always have an option to attend other lectures you find more useful. You need to attend all the compulsory subjects but there’s an optional subjects that you could choose on your on or if you have extra time, you could attend extra classes which in the end would benefit you also. You have nothing to lose if you take extry classes

If you don’t have any knowledge in German language, you don’t have to worry. There are German courses available at the HS and normally this course is compulsory for foreign students. There are a few different levels depending on how much you have learn before this. The international students society at the HS are also very useful in helping you to adapt to the place. They have activities almost every week where you could meet a lot of people and make a new friend. I joined a brother and sister’s program handled by the international office and the city council (if I’m not mistaken) and I met a lovely german’s family who interested in knowing others culture and share theirs. They are some kind of adopted family for me. If your son decided to choose to go to Weingarten, he sure should join too. It is really a nice program.

I could go on and on talking about my almost 5 years experience in Germany especially in Weingarten but I have to stop now. If you have some more questions, just let me know If any of you have something to add, just leave it on comment below. Till next time. Have a nice day everyone!