Study abroad and get one step closer to your dream career

Marcus Owoh is studying for a Master's degree in Commercial Vehicle Technology at RPTU. His passion for cars and electric mobility brought him from Nigeria to Germany. He has been in Kaiserslautern for four semesters – now it is time to take a look back.

Even as a child, I wanted to know how cars worked and how they were built. Toy cars and go-karts certainly sparked my interest. That is why I studied electrical engineering in Nigeria after school. Then I wanted to do a Master's degree in mechanical engineering and automobility. There is such a Master's programme in Nigeria – but Germany is way ahead in automotive engineering. It was clear to me: I would study abroad and do my Master's in Germany.

By students for students: Exchange at eye level

In my search for an opportunity to study abroad, I came across RPTU in Kaiserslautern. It is a university with beautiful surroundings and a low cost of living for students. An added bonus: it is very close to France and I had always wanted to travel to Paris. So, I contacted the International Office at RPTU in Kaiserslautern and applied. That was the best thing that could have happened to me for my studies. After I had sent my documents to the International Office, they organised everything for me to study abroad: from a place in student accommodation to language courses. I immediately felt that I was in good hands, which impressed me.

When a position as a student assistant was vacant at the International Office, I jumped at the chance. I want to pass on this good feeling to other international students. I want to take away their fears about studying abroad. Among other things, I am a contact person for international students, I give them tips on the next steps and I can tell them about my own experiences. I know what it feels like to study abroad alone.

Studying abroad: Mastering new beginnings

It is not easy to settle into a new country with a different language and culture, especially at the beginning. When I first came to Kaiserslautern, I had to get used to how much quieter it is here compared to my hometown. But now I love the small town and especially the proximity to nature. Since I like being outdoors and doing sports, it is perfect here. All of this makes studying at RPTU a great experience, even though I miss my family and friends. And what I really miss is my favourite food, Egusi Soup. I have cooked it before, but it is just not as good as it is at home. I probably need to practise – or go back to Nigeria for a visit, the last time I was there was in 2022. 😊

Bottom line after four semesters

Despite homesickness and initial fears, after four semesters I can say: Come to RPTU! It is the right decision to study abroad. Everyone here is very helpful, whether it is the professors or the other students. The degree programme is practice-oriented, so I was able to find an internship in the industry very quickly – this definitely speaks in favour of the university. Studying abroad has brought me much closer to my goal of a career in the automotive industry in Germany.

Author: Lisa Buu