Cologne vs. Paris – My two exchange semesters

By: Kamran Aliyev

I had an opportunity to spend 2 semesters abroad in different countries throughout my study programme. While these stays had their own challenges, I can positively say that they were my peak experiences during my studies. This blog tries to highlight the differences between the two and give insight to future students planning their exchange semesters abroad.

I spent my first semester abroad at the University of Cologne in Germany. At first, I didn’t know what to expect as Cologne was not first on the list of cities I wanted to spend a semester in. However, a few days after arriving in the city, it felt like home. This also mainly related to my stay with the host parents. Orientation week was full of interactive events and meeting new people from countries I’d never met before. I felt truly welcomed by all the people I met. From the academic side, the University of Cologne offered practical classes helpful for applications in the future life. German student life offers a perfect balance between studying by day and going out by night. The train system also makes it easier to travel between cities (although, not without delays). During my Cologne exchange, I traveled to a different city almost every weekend. Looking back, the only bad memory I had associated with Cologne was the day of my departure.

My second semester was in the capital of France, Paris. I got an opportunity to take classes at Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies). Although I was studying a different field than my major, it helped me to see the world from a broader viewpoint. This exchange was more academic compared to the previous one. But this doesn’t mean that I didn’t get the chance to explore beautiful Paris, meet new people, and travel to nearby cities such as Lille, Versailles, and Clermont. The use of the English language was more challenging in France, as most people don’t (or don’t prefer to) speak it. When it comes to transportation, I prefer Paris for the variety of choices (and punctuality). Paris as a city had a lot to offer in comparison: parks, museums (all free, by the way), and historical landscapes. However, I preferred the nightlife in Cologne much more. Perhaps, it was also connected with exchange students in Paris being more academic rather than “party animals”.

In conclusion, I am eternally grateful to get to experience 2 exchange semesters in different environments. They helped me grow as a person, both in a personal and academic sense. In the end, wherever you want to do your exchange semester depends on your personal preferences. No matter what decision you make, my main advice would be to take the risk and spend a semester abroad. That is the one thing you won’t regret.