From studying abroad in Landau to great visions for Nepal

Anyone who meets Samiksha Paudel and Sadiksha Paudel on the campus of RPTU in Landau will see two students with broad smiles. The sisters are very happy with their decision to do their Master's at RPTU - even though studying in Germany was not their first choice. We asked them what made them decide to come to Landau after all.

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

Sadiksha: We did our Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences in Kathmandu/Nepal and then wanted to study abroad to get a better education and even better career prospects. Our first choice was to study abroad in the USA. But the incredibly high tuition fees and the difficult visa process put us off this idea. Our cousin recommended that we study in Germany because you can get a very good education there at low tuition fees. And so we decided to go to Germany to study abroad - a decision we do not regret. Now Samiksha is in the 4th semester of her Master's degree in Ecotoxicology and I am in the 4th semester of my Master's degree in Environmental Sciences. And we are both very happy.

It must be nice to be able to study abroad together at the same university...

Samiksha: Yes, we've always been in a double pack. Back in Nepal, we went to the same school, did the same Bachelor's degree at the same university and almost everything else together. But that also has its disadvantages: We had to get used to being compared to each other by teachers and supervisors. That's not good for your mental health - and we knew we wanted to change that. So it was a conscious decision to separate for the study abroad. But as good as it is to study apart, it can be scary to live abroad alone.

Sadiksha: For this reason, we set out to find a university in Germany where we could study on different Master's programs, have different daily routines and still live together. But the search proved to be more than difficult. We quickly realized that there weren't many German universities that met our requirements. After our Bachelor's degree, we wanted to focus on different areas for our further studies. Samiksha wanted to specialize in certain environmental topics. I wanted to broaden my understanding of environmental science by studying its application and context in other countries, not just Nepal. When we discovered the Master's programs at RPTU, we knew it would be a perfect fit for us.

What else is good about studying abroad at RPTU?

Samiksha: We like the small campus in Landau. It feels familiar because you see a lot of people you know. You don't feel so alone, which can be a challenge when studying abroad. We were also very lucky that the International Office and especially the Welcome Centerat RPTU helped us with everything, from visa problems to questions about applications and accommodation to appointments with the immigration office. We always knew that there was a reliable contact person on site who could help us with everything at any time.

Sadiksha: And we really appreciated the mentoring program and the Welcome Days Programat RPTU. They helped us a lot with all the organizational things, especially in the first semester when everything was new to us. They also helped us get to know other international students and explore the campus and Landau.

Time flies - and now you're almost finished with your Master's degree. What plans do you have for the future?

Samiksha: After graduating, we would like to gain work experience in a German company. At some point, we would like to return to Nepal and use what we have learned to do effective work in the environmental sector. There is already some awareness of environmental issues in Nepal, but Germany is several steps ahead in terms of research and technology. Therefore, our vision is to combine the acquired expertise from the two areas of our Master's program. Our goal is to use modern technologies to develop innovative solutions for a greener and more sustainable Nepal.

Sadiksha: I believe that the courses in environmental science at RPTU will provide me with specific expertise in conservation, modeling and environmental economics. In the future, I would like to use the knowledge and experience I have gained during my studies in industry or academia. We can make a difference in Nepal if we combine our knowledge in the fields of environmental science and ecotoxicology.

When you look back on your studies abroad: What was the biggest challenge for you?

Sadiksha: Back in Nepal, we were always afraid to ask teachers or professors questions. But studying abroad at RPTU is different: you have small courses that allow a more personal approach to studying. And when a professor says: "No question is a stupid question", you talk more and more 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 favorite dishes from home, but luckily there is so much good food in Germany. Our favorites so far: Tarte flambée, Christmas market delicacies like tarte flambée salmon and mulled wine. And bread, of course!

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

Samiksha: Studying abroad can sometimes be a challenge, but they are worth it when you have the prospects in front of you. So combine your studies with some free time and travel around. Get to know Germany, other European countries and the nice people. We've already been to Austria, Luxembourg and Croatia - every country is unique.

Sadiksha: Apart from that, Landau is fantastic. We love that it's a small town and close to the Palatinate Forest. We are enjoying our best time at RPTU while studying abroad in Germany!