CQUniversity Information Systems student Subhash 'Bobby' Tiiruveedula was able to brush up on some environmental engineering and German language studies, with a dash of romance, thanks to an exchange program and scholarship arranged by our International Student Exchange & Study Abroad office...

A resident of Los Angeles, Bobby has been living on campus at Rockhampton's Capricornia College and was at first in 2 minds about giving up his summer holidays to take on the IWU International Winter University program at Kassel in the German state of Hessen.

Bobby (second from right) and other members of the exchange program group with Australian Ambassador to Germany Peter Tesch

For information on exchange opportunities

contact exchange-enquiries@cqu.edu.au

One of the initial highlights was being part of the 2 million-strong crowd gathered for New Year's Eve celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Once in Kassel, Bobby was matched with a host family and 2 German study partners and remembers that the days flew by with salsa dancing, clubbing, movie nights and social events (oh, and a bit of academic work also).

Bobby met up with an American girl and the romantic sparks flew but "even in the States she is in Milwaukee, 3800km from where I live in LA". He has resolved to keep in touch via internet video and will consider studying his MBA closer to his new friend if the relationship continues to go well.

Performing well in his program exams, Bobby and his IWU study buddies received their Kassel course completion certificates from the city Mayor.

Bobby makes new friends in Germany