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A heartfelt welcome in Aalen: Hasmik Kalashyan’s buddy partner has been by her side with guidance and support since the day of her arrival. Photo: © Hasmik Kalashyan

Anyone strolling across the campus of Aalen University will hear snippets of conversation in various languages—such as Georgian, English, Arabic, or Nepali. After all, many students come from all over the world. They bring the international campus to life and contribute to a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The university maintains strong relationships with more than 130 partner universities worldwide. In a series of articles, we highlight inspiring stories of students from our partner universities who have chosen to continue their academic journey at Aalen University. This edition features Hasmik Kalashyan from Armenia.

At the very start of her semester abroad at Aalen University of Applied Sciences, Hasmik Kalashyan found herself unexpectedly challenged when, in one of her first seminars, she was tasked with analyzing a video sequence in which the speakers conversed in the Swabian dialect. “I didn’t understand a single word,” she recalls with a laugh, “and I asked myself how I would manage if everyone here spoke only Swabian.” Nonetheless, the young woman has long been proficient in the German language. She has spoken fluent “Hochdeutsch” (standard German) for many years, having studied it at school, and has already gained professional experience working remotely from Armenia as an account manager for various German companies. She is currently pursuing a degree in Public Administration at Yerevan State University, a partner institution of Aalen University. Yerevan, founded in 800 BCE, is one of the oldest cities in the world. Located near the Turkish border, the Armenian capital today serves as the nation's economic, cultural, and scientific heart. With more than one million inhabitants, it is home to roughly one-third of the country's population.

From the Caucasus Region to the Ostalb

For the past year, exchange student Hasmik Kalashyan has been studying in Aalen—first completing a semester in International Sales Technology, and currently enrolled in International Business Administration. After submitting her bachelor’s thesis in Yerevan this coming spring, she plans to continue her academic journey without stopping by beginning a master’s program in Aalen as early as possible. Originally, the idea of leaving her homeland and seeking new opportunities abroad seemed unthinkable to Hasmik Kalashyan. “I never thought I would begin a new life here,” she reflects. “I’m deeply connected to my family. It was especially my father—who once lived in Munich and Speyer—who encouraged me to study in Germany. That truly changed everything.” Yet the 22-year-old does not have to forgo her family entirely. In addition to occasional visits from her parents, she frequently sees her sister, who is currently studying in Frankfurt am Main.

A Warm Welcome

“When I first walked through the streets of Aalen, many people greeted me—just like that, without even knowing me,” says the Armenian student with a smile. “That’s something you wouldn’t experience back home.” She was immediately taken with Aalen’s city center, which—unlike the bustling metropolis of Yerevan—she finds small yet charming, diverse, and welcoming. Her favorite café is Podium am Marktbrunnen, where one can enjoy the best view of the colorful activity in the town square—and, not least, a freshly baked pretzel, which has since become one of her favorite treats. Hasmik Kalashyan also participated in the Buddy Program run by the university’s International Office, a scheme that pairs international students with local peers to ease their transition into academic and social life in Germany. “My buddy welcomed me with an Aalener Spionle bearing the words ‘Welcome to Aalen’ and supported me in every way. We still meet up regularly,” she says with a beaming smile. She currently resides in a large student housing complex located below the university campus—colloquially known as “the Tower.” Alongside the dynamic atmosphere created by her many international flatmates, she also appreciates the tranquility of quiet walks in the nearby Rohrwang forest, situated just steps from her front door.

Well Integrated at Aalen University

By now, the 22-year-old has become an integral part of campus life, working as a student assistant at the International Center of Aalen University. In this role, she supports fellow exchange students, offering guidance and assistance whenever needed. She is highly satisfied with her academic experience, particularly appreciating the excellent support provided in small seminar groups and the strong emphasis on practical application over abstract theory—an advantage, she believes, that significantly eases the transition into professional life. In the future, Hasmik Kalashyan aspires to work in the field of marketing—ideally in Germany, and Aalen remains a definite option for her. When asked whether she now understands the Swabian dialect, she replies with a grin, “A bissle” (a little), and adds with a smile: “The professor who showed me that Swabian-language film in my very first seminar—and noticed my reaction—has always said goodbye to me with a cheerful ‘Tschüssle’ (the Swabian diminutive for ‘goodbye’) ever since.”