Damian Sowa

During my stay, I took part in various seminars which not only broadened my knowledge of German, but also improved my communication skills and deepened my understanding of current social and cultural issues.

I chose Tübingen as the programme location for my scholarship stay in Germany because of the wide variety of additional activities on offer. In addition to the language courses, there were seminars on current politics in Germany and intercultural communication, as well as a variety of workshops on German-language music and dialects.

We also had the opportunity to take part in activities such as theatre workshops or singing with a choir. Participating in each of the events on offer was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in German language and culture.

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The oldtown of Tübingen

One of the main tasks during my course was the project I carried out on the topic of ‘inclusion’. As part of this project, I conducted numerous interviews with Tübingen citizens and representatives of local institutions such as the city library and businesses in the city, as well as with the mayor for social affairs, law & order and culture.

These interviews gave me a better understanding of real life in the local area, and of particular characteristics of German society. Inclusion is viewed by most people as a very important topic. This project not only enabled me to make direct contact with people, but also to reflect on the similarities and differences between Poland and Germany in terms of their attitudes to these issues.

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Damian Sowa at Eberhardsbridge

During my daily life in Germany, I noticed our countries share many similarities in our way of life. Both cultures are known for their openness and hospitality, which made me feel welcomed by both the lecturers and the people in Tübingen. I was particularly inspired by the German attitude towards the environment and concern for public space, which made me think about how these aspects could be better developed in Poland. I think little things like having reusable coffee cups in vending machines or in the dining hall instead of using plastic cups, or the large number of cyclists and the infrastructure geared towards them, are commendable measures.

Taking part in the course was also a great opportunity to make new contacts, both academic and personal. I had the opportunity to meet students from different regions of the world, which enabled intensive intercultural discussions. There were people there from around 50 different countries.

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Lake Constance

Thanks to the student residence where I stayed, I met friends from all over the world every day and we were able to organize our daily lives together, accompanying each other to the shops, going to seminars together, and spending evenings together and celebrating. As Tübingen is a university town, we were also able to benefit from student life during the summer holidays and attend student events such as parties and karaoke evenings in addition to our university courses.

Our time spent in seminars and working on projects together enabled us to build relationships that I believe will continue long after the course has ended. This exchange of experiences has been invaluable and has helped to broaden my academic perspective. For example, this experience has motivated me to do a second master’s degree in German as a Foreign Language in Germany in the future.

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Damian Sowa exploring Germany

On a personal level, I particularly value the private friendships I made during the course. During our excursions and integration meetings together, in Tübingen, Ulm, Konstanz, on Lake Constance or in Marbach – the town where Franz Kafka's manuscripts are held – I was able to not only travel with friends from all over the world, but also get to know them better. We went to concerts, parties, museums, and restaurants together. We tried every day to make the most of our stay in Germany.

While spending time with them, I discovered how much we have in common as young people, despite our cultural and linguistic differences. These experiences have strengthened my conviction that diversity is of great value, and that openness towards other cultures enriches and broadens our horizons.

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Damian Sowa with friends at the park

In summary, I can say that my trip to Germany was an extremely fruitful experience thanks to the Ilse Müller Scholarship. I was able to improve my language skills, deepen my academic knowledge and gain a better understanding of German culture and everyday life. In addition, the international contacts I have made and experiences I have gained will be a valuable asset for me in the future.

The opportunity to take part in the course was an opportunity not only to learn, but also to get to know myself better and to define my goals. This trip has opened up new perspectives for me and deepened my understanding of the world.