Why I chose studying in Hoi An over backpacking

For someone who had never traveled alone before and wasn't quite ready to do it on their own, Kulturstudier became the solution that made me dare to do it.

My first semester with Kulturstudier, peace and conflict studies in Nepal , was my introduction to traveling on my own. I didn't have much experience with it, and the thought of having to arrange everything from plane tickets, transportation in a new country, to figuring out where I wanted to go was overwhelming.

With Kulturstudier, I could choose from a few selected countries, and meet fellow students who were in the same situation and wanted to experience something new.

Additionally, it was a big plus to have contacts in the country we are in, so that we always have someone to talk to if something were to happen.

Having a permanent home and people around me who wanted the same thing gave me the security to explore both with others and on my own.

Throughout my stay, I became more and more comfortable with the idea of traveling on my own. Something I did, and loved!

You are not traveling alone! You will meet a whole class of students where everyone is in the same situation. You will quickly notice this, and your classmates will become even more important than you have experienced before.

When everyone is in a new country, with a new culture and many new impressions, the bonds become stronger.

With Kulturstudier, the bonds you form will be related to shared experiences that are hard to explain to those back home.

During the semester, most will feel that fellow students become like a small family. Many of the friends whom I now consider my closest, I met while studying abroad!

We still talk about all the experiences, and how we miss the camaraderie the whole group had while we were studying.

Now I am in Hoi An, ready for my second semester with Kulturstudier.

A semester with development studies 1 provides you with a good combination of routine and freedom. We have classes on weekdays in a classroom we attend, but in the afternoons and on weekends, it's up to us what we want to do.

Kulturstudier organizes activities such as volleyball, soccer, and badminton in the afternoons, but participation is completely voluntary.

In a city like Hoi An, you have all the possibilities in front of you – so it really just depends on what you want to spend your time on.

For my part, it's a great pleasure to just wander around the neighborhood exploring everything from the main streets to the small alleys, and when it gets a bit too hot, to seek refuge in one of the "thousand" cafes Hoi An has to offer.

I think there's something very beautiful about "getting lost" in your own city.

The calm everyday life is a stark contrast to the times I have backpacked, when I often feel like I end up 'rushing through' the places I visit.

Don't get me wrong, I think backpacking is incredibly fun, but it constantly requires you to adapt. Having to constantly figure out where to stay, how to get from A to B, and what you should experience, takes a lot of energy and time.

Living and studying in Hoi An offers more tranquility, but also the opportunity to explore the city at exactly the pace you desire.

After just three days in Hoi An, I've made friends with some of the locals. A smile and a simple "hi!" go a long way here.

Vietnamese people are incredibly open and welcoming, and curious. Even if English doesn't always suffice, one always finds a way to understand each other. This makes the experience even more authentic.

Every day you will encounter the same people on your way to lectures, and if you find a favorite café or restaurant, you will most likely meet the same servers.

All the vendors you pass by on a daily basis – why not try to get to know them? Or at least say hello and give a smile. I find that it's these small everyday encounters that brighten the day!

I understand better when I get to experience something up close.

Vietnam is a good example of a developing country and how a development process can affect a country and its population.

Living in the country and experiencing it up close provides a different connection to the subject and a deeper understanding.

Kulturstudier also organizes excursions to places that are a bit off the beaten path that tourists would typically choose to visit. In this way, we get to experience 'all of Vietnam', not just the version that is tailored for tourists.

Living in Hoi An for an extended period, attending university here, and having multiple interactions with the local community on a daily basis will give us a completely different understanding of their culture.

Having this 'free' education in everyday life contributes to giving me a broader and better perspective on the subject, but also a lot that I can carry with me further in life.

Backpacking has brought me incredible joy and amazing experiences, but having the opportunity to study in a country and spend a lot of time in one place is something truly special.

It contributes to a sense of security, community, and a deeper understanding of culture and subject matter. Perhaps this is exactly what could be the right choice for you as well?

• Study in Vietnam