With the support of the Lothar-und-Sigrid-Rohde Foundation, I was able to spend a semester at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver from September to December 2025.
I chose the University of British Columbia because it combines excellent academic conditions with an exceptional living environment. As one of Canada’s leading universities, UBC offers a strong research environment as well as outstanding teaching with an interactive learning culture that places exchange, projects, and midterms at its core. The vibrant campus life, cultural diversity, high quality of life in Vancouver, and close proximity to nature, the Pacific Ocean, and the mountains make UBC an ideal place to study for me.
At UBC, coursework completed during the semester is assessed and contributes to the final grade. In addition to final exams, midterms, assignments, and in some cases attendance are taken into account. Among other courses, I took “Introduction to General Relativity” to broaden my foundational knowledge in physics beyond the focus of my master’s program, as well as a Spanish course. Particularly relevant for my master’s program in “Quantum Science and Technology” was the course “Computational Quantum Methods for the Nanoscale,” in which I applied and compared classical and quantum methods for calculating a ground state on a model system as part of a final project.
The vast UBC campus in Vancouver, where around 60,000 students study a wide range of subjects, is also very impressive. In addition to lecture halls, libraries, and student residences, the campus offers numerous restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a swimming pool, several sports halls, and fitness centers. There are many opportunities for sports and physical activities on the UBC campus. Admission to the swimming pool is free for UBC students, as are many drop-in sessions for volleyball, basketball, or futsal. In addition, a wide range of sports courses is offered, and there is the opportunity to participate in university-wide sporting events, such as a longboat race (“Day of the Longboat”).
The many student clubs at UBC also contribute to the diverse student life, offering groups dedicated both to sports such as sailing, surfing, or outdoor activities and to various projects and faculties.
At events organized by clubs or student residences, I was able to meet both Canadian students and many other exchange students.
Vancouver’s unique location between mountains and the Pacific Ocean enabled me to enjoy numerous outdoor and travel experiences. In addition to activities close to the city, I took trips to Whistler for hiking and skiing, to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and to Vancouver Island, where surfing, hiking, and whale watching left a lasting impression.
Studying abroad at the University of British Columbia was an extremely enriching experience for me both academically and personally, and it has strengthened my academic direction and intercultural competencies in a lasting way.
I would like to sincerely thank the Lothar-und-Sigrid-Rohde Foundation for its financial support and for making it possible for me to have this experience.