One million students from Germany have gained international experience since the Erasmus programme began. One of them is Franziska Alicia Knöchel. As part of the DAAD’s ‘#OneInOneMillion’ campaign, she represents this milestone – and everything that a semester abroad can achieve.

Over time, not only did her confidence in everyday life grow, but so did her intercultural competence. She got to know people from a wide variety of countries, exchanged views on different perspectives and ways of life – and formed friendships that still endure today. “I’ve definitely became more open-minded,” she says of herself today.

Franziska also benefited professionally: the focus on sustainable tourism at her host university fitted in perfectly with her degree programme and opened up new perspectives on topics that will shape her future career.

Of course, life outside the lecture hall was not left out either: hikes in the mountains, days on the beach, international cooking evenings and spontaneous get-togethers with friends made the semester an all-round enriching experience.

Franziska also credits Erasmus+ for making such a stay possible in the first place. “The grant really helped me to afford living there,” she says. She took a pragmatic approach to organising the other aspects herself – including subletting her flat in Germany.

Today, Franziska is back at Harz University of Applied Sciences – and is passing on her experiences. She works in the university’s International Office, helping exchange students settle in -  after all, she knows exactly what challenges a stay in a new country involves.

Her conclusion is clear: “I’ve learnt to solve problems, to be more independent and to find my feet in new situations. And I’ve met people I would never have met without Erasmus.” Her advice to anyone still thinking about it: “Go for it. It might feel a bit strange at first, but that’s exactly where the opportunity lies. You grow with every challenge.”

As ‘one in a million’, Franzi thus represents not only an impressive figure, but also the many individual stories behind this milestone – and the lasting value of international experiences.

“Since receiving its Erasmus accreditation in 1996, Harz University of Applied Sciences has been firmly established in the European exchange network. 649 students have received funding through Erasmus+ since 2019. Particularly popular destination countries are Finland, Spain and Norway. The Faculty of Business Studies accounts for the largest proportion of students studying abroad,” reveals Katja Betker, Head of the International Office at Harz University of Applied Sciences. The Erasmus coordinator explains: “The programme supports students with a financial grant, primarily to cover travel and accommodation costs; the amount depends on the host country and the duration of the stay. One-semester stays are currently supported with an average of 2,500 euros.”

Prof. Dr Louisa Klemmer, Vice-President for Academic and International Affairs at Harz University of Applied Sciences since 2017, is convinced: “Through its participation in Erasmus+, Harz University of Applied Sciences is actively contributing to an open, interconnected and sustainable Europe. The milestone of one million students receiving funding underlines the programme’s lasting significance for education, mobility and intercultural exchange.”