A fourth-year student at the Faculty of Theology, Ankara University, writes about his Erasmus semester in Germany — from the visa process and finding accommodation, to working through coursework on methodology, Ibn Taymiyya, and Qur'anic ethics. A practical and personal encouragement to apply.
My name is Furkan Ay. I am a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Theology, Ankara University. The idea of participating in the Erasmus program actually came about thanks to my friends at the faculty. Many of my classmates, both from my year and the one above, had gone on Erasmus in previous terms, and they all strongly recommended that I give it a try. Honestly, I had wanted to take advantage of such an opportunity during my undergraduate studies.
Erasmus offers the chance to visit different countries and cities, creating unforgettable memories during one’s undergraduate years, but it also comes with great responsibility.
Living alone in another country, dealing with paperwork, arranging accommodation, insurance and bank accounts — all of this has to be managed on your own.
The country we planned to go to was Germany, and we did not know German. However, English gave us confidence at this point. We found the courage to live in Europe for 5–6 months largely thanks to our knowledge of English.
Although it may seem intimidating at first, the process progresses step by step, and everything eventually falls into place.
First, you take the Erasmus exam, and then you make your preferences based on your score. At this stage, we received support from friends who had previously gone on Erasmus, attended seminars held at the faculty, and stayed in constant communication with our coordinator. As the process went on, our university organized Q&A-style information meetings for all Erasmus students.
Once email communication with the host university began, the necessary steps were explained to us in detail. I also joined a very large WhatsApp group with over 1,000 members, including students who had already gone, were about to go, or were still there. Through this group, you could ask questions, get announcements and never feel alone. Especially during the uncertainties of the visa process, being able to communicate with others going through the same experience was very reassuring.
Finding accommodation before leaving took me some time. You can stay in the university dormitory if you wish, but I preferred to live in a shared apartment with other international students, so I started searching. Luckily, I eventually found a place as I wanted. Now, as I approach the end of my Erasmus adventure, I look back and say, “I’m glad I came, I’m glad I made this decision.”
During this period, I visited three different countries and ten cities, creating wonderful memories. Each challenge I overcame boosted my self-confidence. In this sense, Erasmus is a very valuable experience that helps you mature and grow. At first, I wondered, “How will I manage? Cooking, cleaning, school, classes… How will I handle all of this alone in a foreign country?” But over time, I built a routine.
I have been regularly exercising for the past four months, working for about 6 weeks, attending my classes, and preparing presentations and papers. I have also explored Germany and neighboring countries. On weekends, I played football, improved my language skills, and spent more time on myself. Loneliness is felt more here because people generally live individually, and the feeling of foreignness is strong at first. Instead of the call to prayer, you hear church bells every hour; the busy streets give way to silence, and the signs are unfamiliar… But over time, you adapt and get used to everything. Since the city I am in is small, bicycles are the most common means of transportation. For me, it has almost become like a car. I highly recommend getting a bicycle as soon as you arrive. Part of you might not even want to come back — while one part of you misses your homeland, another part wants to stay and keep going.
I would also like to mention that I really benefited from the courses there. I attended a Methodology course, where I conducted a study on the reasons for distancing from religion in Turkey. In another course, I learned about Ibn Taymiyya and gave a presentation on him. In one class, I wrote a paper on the relationship between worship and ethics in the Qur’an. We also did some work on Western studies; for instance, in one class I studied Milgram’s experiment on obedience.
In short, be brave and apply for Erasmus. You will create unforgettable memories, make great strides in personal development, and have the opportunity to experience different cultures. Erasmus is not just an exchange program; it is a unique journey that will leave a lasting mark on your life.