Emma had always dreamed of studying in another country. When she was accepted to a university in Germany, she could not believe it. Her family was proud but also worried about her living so far away. Emma spent the entire summer preparing for her departure. She took German language classes twice a week. The day of her flight arrived faster than she had expected. At the airport, her mother could not stop crying. 'Call me as soon as you land,' her mother said between tears. Emma hugged her family one last time and walked through security. The flight to Munich took three hours. Emma felt both excited and nervous as the plane began to descend. When she stepped off the plane, everything felt different. The signs were in German, and she could only understand some of them. She collected her luggage and looked for the exit. A student volunteer was holding a sign with her name on it. 'Welcome to Germany! I am Thomas,' he said with a friendly smile. Thomas helped Emma carry her bags to his car. During the drive to the university, he told her about the city. Emma tried to remember all the useful information he shared. Her student dormitory was a large building with many floors. She received her room key from the reception desk. Her room was small but had everything she needed. There was a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a small bathroom. She unpacked her suitcases and put up photos of her family on the wall. That first night, Emma could not sleep at all. She missed her family and felt very lonely. The next morning, she went to the orientation session for new students. The room was full of international students from all over the world. Emma sat next to a girl from Japan named Yuki. They quickly became friends because they shared similar experiences. Both of them were nervous about speaking German in class. Classes began the following week. Emma was studying business administration with a focus on marketing. Some of her courses were taught in English, but most were in German. At first, she struggled to understand the German lectures. She had to record the lessons and listen to them again at home. Her professors were patient and always willing to help international students. Emma also joined a study group with German students. This helped her improve her language skills very quickly. One of the biggest challenges was managing her own budget. She had never lived alone before and had to learn how to cook. Her first attempts at cooking were complete disasters. She burned the pasta and put too much salt in the soup. But with practice, she became better at it. Emma especially loved exploring the city on weekends. Munich had beautiful old buildings and many interesting museums. She visited the English Garden, a huge park in the center of the city. There, people would surf on an artificial river wave. Emma thought this was one of the most unusual things she had ever seen. During winter break, her parents came to visit her. She was so happy to see them after four months. Emma showed them around the city and took them to her favorite places. Her mother was impressed by how much German Emma could speak now. When they left, Emma felt sad but not as lonely as before. She had built a new life in Germany with good friends and exciting experiences. In the spring semester, Emma got an internship at a marketing company. She worked there three days a week while continuing her studies. The work environment was very different from what she had expected. Her colleagues were friendly and included her in team meetings right away. She learned a lot about digital marketing and social media campaigns. By the end of her exchange year, Emma had changed completely. She had become more independent and confident. Her German had improved so much that she could have complex conversations. She had also made friends from more than ten different countries. On her last night in Munich, her friends organized a farewell party for her. Everyone shared their favorite memories from the year. Yuki gave Emma a small gift and promised to visit her one day. When Emma boarded the plane home, she cried but also smiled. Studying abroad had been the best decision of her life. She knew she would return to Germany someday.
English Story (B1)Studying Abroad
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Emma fulfills her dream of studying abroad at a German university. She overcomes initial challenges like homesickness, language barriers, and learning to live independently. Through making international friends, joining study groups, and getting an internship, she grows into a confident and independent person. Her exchange year becomes the best decision of her life.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Which country was Emma accepted to study in?
2
Who met Emma at the airport when she arrived?
3
What happened when Emma first tried to cook?
4
What did Emma do during the spring semester?
Vocabulary
40 words from this story
