From studying abroad in Landau to big visions for Nepal

When you spot Samiksha Paudel and Sadiksha Paudel on the RPTU campus in Landau, you see two students with big smiles. The sisters are very happy with their decision to pursue their Master’s at RPTU – even though studying abroad in Germany was not their first choice. We asked them what the deciding factor was that brought them to Landau.

You are now studying abroad at RPTU in Landau, Germany. What changed your mind?

Sadiksha: We did our Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences in Kathmandu/Nepal, and decided to study abroad for a better education and even better job prospects. Studying abroad in the USA was our first choice. However, the horrendously high tuition fees and the difficult visa process forced us to drop the idea. Our cousin recommended studying abroad in Germany because you can get a very good education with low tuition fees. That is why we decided to go to Germany – a decision we do not regret. Now Samiksha is in the 4^th semester of her Master’s in Ecotoxicology, and I am in the 4^th semester of my Master’s in Environmental Sciences. And we are both very happy.

Studying abroad at the same university must be nice...

Samiksha: Yes, we were always in a double pack. Back in Nepal, we went to the same school, did the same Bachelor’s degree at the same university and did almost everything else together. But this has its drawbacks: We got used to being compared to each other by teachers and supervisors. This is not good for mental health – and we knew we wanted a change. So, the decision to separate from one another while studying abroad was a conscious one. But although studying separately might be a good thing, living alone abroad can be scary.

Sadiksha: That’s why we decided to look for a university in Germany that would allow us to study abroad on separate Master’s programmes, have different daily schedules and still live together. However, this search turned out to be more than difficult. We realised quite quickly that there were not many German universities that met our requirements. After our Bachelor’s degrees, we wanted different focuses for our future studies. While Samiksha wanted to narrow down the specialisation to focus on specific environmental issues, I wanted to broaden my understanding of environmental science by studying its application and context in other countries, not just Nepal. When we came across the Master’s programmes at RPTU, we knew it was a perfect fit.

What else is good about studying abroad at RPTU?

Samiksha: We love the small campus in Landau. You get a sense of familiarity when you see a lot of people you know, so you do not feel alone which can be hard when you are studying abroad. Plus, we were very lucky to have the International Office and in particular the Welcome Center at RPTU to help us with everything from visa issues, application or accommodation questions to appointments with the Foreign Office. We always knew that there was a reliable contact person on site who could support us with anything at any time.

Sadiksha: And we really appreciated the Mentoring Program and the Welcome Days Program at RPTU which helped a lot with all the organisational details, especially in our 1^st semester when everything was new to us. It also helped us to get to know other international students and explore our campus and Landau.

Time flies and now you are almost finished with your Master’s degree. What are your plans for the future?

Samiksha: After graduation, we would like to gain work experience in a German company. Eventually, we would like to return to Nepal and use what we have learnt to do meaningful work in the environmental sector. There is already a certain awareness of environmental issues in Nepal, but Germany is many steps ahead in research and technology. So, our vision is to combine the expertise we have gained with the two areas of our Master’s degree. Our goal is to develop innovative solutions using modern technologies for a greener and more sustainable Nepal.

Sadiksha: I believe that the Environmental Sciences courses at RPTU will provide me with more specific expertise in conservation, modelling and environmental economics. In the future, I would like to use the knowledge and experience gained from my studies, whether in my working life in industry or in academia. If we can combine our knowledge of both Environmental Sciences and Ecotoxicology, we could make a difference in the sector in Nepal.

Looking back on your years studying abroad: What was the biggest challenge for you?

Sadiksha: Back in Nepal, we were always afraid to ask questions to teachers and professors. But studying abroad at RPTU is different: You have small classes, which allows for a more personal approach to learning. And when a professor says “no question is a stupid question”, you start to talk to them more often and openly. We had to get used to that, but it was definitely a relief.

Samiksha: And of course, we missed our friends and family. As foodies, we also missed our comfort food from home, but luckily Germany has so many good dishes. Our favourites so far: Flammkuchen, Christmas market treats such as Flammlachs and Glühwein. And of course, the bread!

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about studying abroad?

Samiksha: Although studying abroad can be challenging at times, the challenges are worth it if you look at the prospects ahead. Therefore, combine your studies with some free time and travel around. Get to know Germany, European countries, and the nice people. We have travelled to Austria, Luxembourg and Croatia – each country is so unique.

Sadiksha: Other than that, Landau is amazing. We like the fact that it is a small and walkable town, and that it is close to the Palatinate Forest. We truly have our best times at RPTU and studying abroad in Germany!

Text: Lisa Buu