For many students, a semester abroad is one of the most wonderful and formative experiences of their entire studies. But how does it actually feel to study far away from home when suddenly a pandemic breaks out that keeps the whole world in suspense? Foreign students who spent the summer semester in Landshut tell us about this.
In spring 2019, the two brothers Francesco and Gerardo Manzo decided to write their bachelor theses at Landshut University of Applied Sciences. The two Italians eagerly awaited the start of their stay abroad in March one year later. "Six months ago the corona situation was still pretty relaxed," remembers Gerardo Manzo. "We didn't think it would change so quickly," adds his brother. When the corona pandemic hit Europe and also Germany hard, the brothers hoped for one thing above all: "That the outbreak is over after a short time and that the pandemic is quickly under control."
Separated from the family during corona
It turned out rather different! Although Gerardo and Francesco would have liked to return to their family in Salerno to be there for each other during these difficult times, they decided to stay in Landshut. "The situation in Italy was even more critical than in Germany," Francesco emphasises. "Besides, at least I had my brother here with me." Thanks to video telephony, it was also possible to exchange information with their parents and relatives on a regular basis and to see each – at least virtually, Gerardo adds. They strictly adhered to the corona rules: "We only left our accommodation to go shopping. Only once the situation had eased a little after a few weeks did we go out more and meet up with friends again."
Since the two brothers only had to complete their bachelor theses in Landshut, they did not have any other seminars apart from an accompanying German course. Presenting results or answering questions was not always easy for the Italians. "Doing everything on the computer is sometimes more complicated than talking to others in person," says Gerardo. The fact that the communication worked very well despite all the circumstances was mainly due to the quick action of the university and the commitment of the lecturers. "The professors constantly asked about us, how we were doing and how we were coping with the situation," says Francesco. "We felt very well looked after."
Even though the conditions were absolutely exceptional, the two brothers were able to take quite a bit away with them from their semester abroad in Landshut. At the end of July, they finally returned to their family: healthy and with the hope that the pandemic would gradually level off.
Photo: Gerardo and Franceso Manzo
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