Aura Tolosa

Colombia

August 2012 – October 2014

UPC: Barcelona, UdS: Saarbrücken

A unique day was when I arrived at the hostel in Saarbrücken for the integration week. The first time I was traveling alone overseas, catching the train for the first time, everything was new and very different compared to my home country. I arrived at the hostel, and there were sitting about 20 persons just like me but coming from all around the world!

Current job

Give a short description of where you work (company, country) and what you do there.

INM-Leibniz Institut for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany. PhD Student

Why did you choose AMASE?

Your motivation for choosing the programme (e.g. seeing different cultures, learning new languages, expanding your engineering/material science knowledge, international studies experience, etc.).

My first motivation was to expand my material science knowledge. Later, when comparing the masters in Europe, I chose AMASE because of the classes in different languages (according to the University), and the opportunity to spend one year in each country. This time I find it very important to get more involved with the local culture and create stronger friendship bonds.

Did you experience any special moments during the programme? Tell us about them!

These can be funny/interesting/memorable experiences at the partner universities or in the study country.

So many, that I cannot avoid smiling when thinking about the master. I think a unique day was when I arrived at the hostel in Saarbrücken for the integration week. The first time I was traveling alone overseas, catching the train for the first time, everything was new and very different compared to my home country. I arrived at the hostel, and there were sitting about 20 persons just like me but coming from all around the world! India, China, Spain, Germany, Iran, Mexico, Argentina, Korea, Marocco… and so many more. I couldn’t believe that I was there, talking to them, and it was so easy to chat, smile and laugh with all of them.

What did you learn/experience during your time in the programme?

You could write about your experience at the universities (students, courses, material science studies, etc.) or your time in the different countries (cultures, people, etc.).

So many things! AMASE changed my life. I couldn’t say any single word in German before the master. And now, I can be involved in scientific discussions in German and English! I learnt so many things about material science, culture, friendship and about myself!