When Lingkai Yang came to Ostfalia in the winter semester of 2022/23 as part of a dual-degree programme, a lot was new to him: a different teaching and learning culture, different social rules and norms – and all of it in German. The start was tough for the now 25-year-old and, at times, quite frustrating. He also often felt alone.
Making friends through group work
Today, things have changed completely. Lingkai has made friends amongst his German fellow students. They get together for pizza and beer to relax, chat and, of course, study.
The first connections were made during joint lab sessions and group work. “Of course, there was still some reserve on both sides at the beginning,” says Lingkai Yang. But with plenty of initiative and a desire to bridge the cultural divide, he seized the opportunity to strike up personal conversations. Gradually, genuine friendships developed.
A visit to his home country
Just how close these friendships have become is evident from a visit during the semester break: Lingkai invited one of his German fellow students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering to China and showed him his home country, the culture and local life.
He would like to pass on his experiences to other international students. He advises new students arriving at his university in China to seek out contact as actively as possible and to approach others with an open mind.
Awarded for outstanding commitment
His exceptional commitment is now being recognised. Lingkai has been awarded the STIBET scholarship for exceptional commitment, totalling 2,400 euros.
STIBET is a support programme run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which is funded by the Federal Foreign Office. It enables German universities to support international students and award scholarships for outstanding commitment.
