Welcome Center 

Master Internationales Produkt- und Servicemanagement

How did you deal with homesickness?
I stayed connected with my family through video calls, participated in cultural events and gatherings with other Iranians, and made new international friends. This helped me feel more integrated and brought a sense of home even while being far away.

What is your favourite part of studying in Ansbach?
The university itself is modern, spacious, and beautifully designed. All the staff and professors are incredibly friendly, responsible, and responsive, which makes studying here a really supportive experience.

Would you want to return to Germany for work?
Absolutely. Germany - and my university in particular - actively supports women in their careers and provides opportunities to grow professionally. I would love to continue my journey here.

Would you recommend studying in Germany / Ansbach?
Germany can feel bureaucratic at first, which may be challenging, but following the rules gives you security and peace of mind. Living in a small city like Ansbach feels like stepping into a storybook—fresh air, green landscapes, and colorful historical houses make it a truly inspiring place to study and live.

Master Student Smart Energy Systems

I would highly recommend Hochschule Ansbach to international students because of its strong practical orientation and supportive learning environment. The university offers a good balance between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, which makes learning more meaningful and directly relevant to industry. The smaller class sizes also allow for closer interaction with professors and more personalised guidance, which is especially helpful for international students adapting to a new academic system.

The Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub (EIH) has had a significant impact on me personally. It gave me the opportunity to work on my own startup ideas, participate in innovation-driven workshops, and collaborate with motivated peers from different backgrounds. Through EIH, I was able to experience entrepreneurship in a very practical way, from ideation to validation. It also helped me build confidence in presenting ideas and thinking more creatively. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.

What surprised me the most about studying in Germany was the strong connection between academic learning and real-world industry practices. There is a clear focus on applying concepts to practical scenarios, which helps in understanding how things actually work outside the classroom. This made my learning experience more aligned with real professional expectations.

The most favourite part about my time in Ansbach is the extracurricular activities and sports I can participate in! I actively participate in international events like the Meeting Cafe and the Global Friendship Hub. I like to play badminton whenever I get the chance. Also, the newly introduced campus games are very interesting and piqued my interest. 

Studying in Ansbach has helped me grow not only academically but also personally. It has improved my communication skills, adaptability, and confidence in working in diverse teams. I feel more prepared to work in an international and professional environment after this experience.

Master Student Smart Energy Systems

What is your favourite spot in Germany, and why?
Herzogstand is my favourite spot in Germany so far - it has an amazing view from the top after you complete the trek.
I personally love trekking reaching at the highest point and enjoying the views from the top. It also has two lakes nearby where one can go for swimming, kayaking and so on. Bavaria is very beautiful and blessed with nature, and I am really happy to be in Bavaria.
    
What are your must-have items to bring from your home country?
Must bring-along : Homemade snacks, spices, your mother´s recipes because here you have to do everything yourself. (Cooking is a must have skill - at least learn basics) If you love eating rice dishes, i recommend you also bring along a small induction based-cooker to cook rice, biryani, pulao, khichdi, etc. Also have few medicines and a first aid kit with you (make sure that you are carrying the medicines with prescription signed from your doctor).
    
What was most surprising for you since you arrived in Germany?
The most shocking thing for me was - everything is closed on Sunday. Sunday is Ruhetag and one isn´t allowed to even do vacuum cleaning at home or any loud noises. On weekdays shops close at 8.00 pm. So, one really needs to plan for grocery shopping on weekends. Also, people do a lot of sports activities irrespective of the weather – doesn’t matter if it is snowing, raining, sunny. The German saying is very true “Es gibt kein Schlechtes wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung” (which means there is no bad weather, only bad clothing). So be sure to be carrying a small umbrella and a windcheater at all times ;D LOL. If you arrive in the winter semester - winter depression is real. So do some sports, keep yourself active and do take Vitamin-D supplements in winter without fail. It really helps.
    
How did you immerse yourself in German/Bavarian/Franconian culture?
Since I arrive a bit late in the Winter semester (due to limited VISA slots), it was a bit difficult to settle down plus getting used to the winter and lecture schedules. But after exams, I started going out, attending events, playing sports. I attended the local festivals to experience and enjoy the cultural festivities with music, food, drinks and dance. Speaking German is very much important, as it also helped me to make new friends. We enjoyed at the university clubs, events, did weekends trips to explore new places and food.  We also discussed our challenges to help each other whenever needed. 
    
How did you deal with homesickness?
I called my family in the evenings, spoke to my grandpa and this helped me a lot. Apart from this I engaged in the activities on campus, consistently put in some time in learning German language. Went for treks and explored near by places on the weekends – some solo trips and some with friends too. Of course, I did see some series while cooking but kept my Insta/Netflix time limited. Go out there - there is a lot to explore :D 

Masterstudent Internationales Produkt- und Servicemanagement

Why would you recommend Ansbach University of Applied Sciences to other international students? 
Being a small Hochschule, there is easy and fast access to professors and resources. Moreover, it feels like a small community where people know each other. What is amazing is the Hochschule has partnerships and programs like Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub  (EIH) Middle Franconia.

What difference has EIH Mittelfranken made for you personally and why would you recommend it?
It’s great that through HS-Ansbach I had the opportunity to work in my own startup team at the Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub Middle Franconia. I am given chance to network with like minded people and gain an insight to the Startup system in Middle Franconia. Being an international this is such an amazing opportunity to meet more people and learn the skillset to become a startup founder.

What typical German thing can you not live without anymore?
Buying fresh bread in the morning and trying the different bread varieties. Moreover, going for walks to clear my mind and reset.

How did you immerse yourself in the German / Bavarian / Franconian culture?
Thanks to my german friends bringing me around and inviting me to events, that I tried different dishes and even got to visit beautiful castles.

Would you want to return to Germany for work?
Yes I would like to continue the german experience. Not only will I get to experience working with German colleagues but it will be a great chance to apply my learnings and gain real world experience.

Would you recommend studying in Germany / Ansbach? 
Yes I would as it offers a personal, professional and academic rich experience. It challenges you, you feel homesick but this is where real growth happens. Moreover, you make new connections and even get to learn a new language and culture!