Second Semester in Munich: My Continuing Journey

Hello everyone! My name is Ádám Pongrácz, I am an Erasmus+ exchange student from Romania, belonging to the Hungarian minority in Transylvania, and I am currently spending my second semester at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Since I already introduced myself in much more detail in my first blog post last semester, including where I come from, why I chose Munich, and what my expectations were when arriving here, I will keep this introduction short this time. If you are interested, you can find my first introductory post here: https://exchange.ifkw.lmu.de/2025/10/30/my-erasmus-journey-to-munich/

Instead of repeating the same story, I would like to use this post as a reflection: How was my first semester in Munich? In which areas did I grow, what goals did I achieve, and what is still a work in progress? And of course, what do I hope for in this second semester?

Looking back, the first semester was not only about studying abroad, but also about arriving, adapting, and slowly building a life here. So in this post, I would like to share a little review of that journey so far, as well as an outlook on what I still hope to experience in the months ahead.

Looking back on the first semester

Overall, I had a very good first semester in Munich, and honestly, that is one of the main reasons why I decided to stay for a second one. It felt like there was still more to discover, more to learn, and also more to grow into.

Academically, the semester was very enriching. One thing I really appreciated at LMU was experiencing a different university system and getting to know courses that were often practical and project-based. I enjoyed that a lot. Many assignments felt creative and engaging rather than just theoretical, and I think this helped me develop not only academically, but also in a more hands-on way.

But maybe even more importantly, I feel I grew as a person. Living abroad naturally brings many new situations, and I had to learn to take more responsibility for my own life, whether in everyday practical matters like cooking or groceries, organizing things and managing my time, or dealing with bureaucracy that comes with studying abroad. These were not always my favorite things, but I learned a lot through them, and what seemed complicated at the beginning feels much more natural now.

I also have the impression that I became braver and less stressed of new situations. Living abroad teaches you that many things that seem difficult at first can often be managed, and I think that gave me more confidence.

One of the main goals I had in my first semester was improving my German, and I can honestly say I made real progress. I tried to speak German as much as possible, especially outside the international exchange bubble, and I feel much more comfortable now than when I arrived. There is still a lot to improve, of course, and I hope to continue in my second semester, but it feels good to look back and recognize progress.

Friendships were also an important part of the semester. I am very grateful that I built connections not only with other exchange students, but also beyond university. At the same time, if I am honest, I sometimes felt that friendships here can form quickly but not always go as deep as friendships at home. Maybe that is partly because exchange life often feels temporary. Still, this is something I would like to invest in more during the second semester.

A big challenge that shaped my first semester was learning how to deal with loneliness. As a very social and rather extroverted person, living alone in a student dorm and spending a lot of time by myself was not always easy. In the beginning, I experienced this as a challenge, but over time I started to see that this quiet space also had value.

It gave me time to reflect much more than I normally would in everyday life. I had the opportunity to get to know myself better, think about where I want to grow, and use time alone not simply as “empty time,” but as something meaningful. In this sense, I think I learned a lot about personal development during the semester. I also became more aware of how I use my time, how precious it is, and how important it is not just to let it pass, but to use it intentionally.

Through this, I discovered new interests, developed small routines, and in some ways learned to be more at peace on my own. Looking back, I think even this difficult part of the exchange experience contributed to growth. It challenged me, but it also helped me move, step by step, in what I feel is the right direction personally.

And finally, something changed that is hard to measure, but very meaningful: Munich started to feel like home. I no longer need Google Maps for everything, I know my way around the city, I mede new friends and everyday life feels familiar. That may sound simple, but I think that is when you realize you have moved from arriving to actually belonging.

Looking ahead: goals for the second semester

Looking back on the first semester, I think one of the main reasons I wanted to stay was simple: I felt the journey was not finished yet. There were still things I wanted to improve, places I wanted to grow, and experiences I still wanted to make. In many ways, the first semester felt like a beginning and I wanted to continue what had already started.

For this second semester, I would not say my plans are completely new. In many cases, I would simply like to continue what I have already begun, but more intentionally.

One important goal is still language learning. I would like to continue improving my German and become even more confident and fluent in everyday communication. At the same time, I recently realized that I also want to work more consciously on my English, especially pronunciation and grammar. Since both languages are important for me academically and personally, one goal for the end of the semester is to feel much more comfortable and confident in both.

Another goal is connected to sports and health. In my first introduction, I mentioned that I hoped to integrate sports into my routine, and I actually started doing that. Especially now, as the weather is becoming nicer, I would like to continue and be more consistent, ideally doing at least half an hour of exercise each day, whether outside or perhaps in the gym. I already notice that it makes me feel better, and I would like to build on that.

A further goal for this semester is to reflect more seriously on the future. I am in my second year of my bachelor studies, and after next year I will have important decisions to make: whether to continue with a master’s degree, enter the job market, or maybe explore other opportunities first. I would like to use this semester to think more about these questions, discover possible paths, and maybe even gain practical insights through a small internship or similar experiences. I hope this can help me better understand what interests me and where I might want to go next.

Another goal for this semester is to travel a bit more. During my first semester, I did not really have many opportunities to travel, mainly because of the winter and also because I was still settling into life in Munich. Now, at the beginning of the second semester, I already had the chance to visit London for the first time. Even though it was a short trip, I really enjoyed it and also tried to use it as a small opportunity to improve my English in real-life situations.

Going forward, I would like to visit a few more places, either by traveling with friends, visiting them in their home countries, or maybe doing some shorter trips on my own. I think it is a good way to make the most out of being in the middle of Europe.

At the same time, I sometimes feel a bit of pressure, because I know that my time in Munich is limited and that there are still many things I would like to do. However, I am also trying to be more conscious about this. Even though the time here is not endless, I don’t want to feel like I have to rush through everything. I want to enjoy the experience step by step, without stress or pressure to fit everything in.

For me, this Erasmus year is not the end of something, but rather the beginning of a bigger journey. Because of that, I don’t want to see it as a period where I must do everything at once, but rather as a time where I can grow, learn, and simply live fully in the moment.

To conclude, I am really looking forward to this second semester. I hope to continue developing in the areas I have already started, but also to stay open for new experiences and opportunities. I am excited to meet new people, build new friendships, and see how much I can grow in this time. Overall, I feel very motivated and curious about what this semester will bring, and I am looking forward to making the most of it in a balanced and meaningful way. Cheers!