International Center: Louis Bordenave-Mutschler - ‘A special place’

Louis Bordenave-Mutschler is studying political science at a university near Paris. A year abroad is a compulsory part of his degree programme: ‘I really wanted to go to Germany to finally learn the language properly,’ says the 20-year-old. His wish came true: ‘I understood more in the one year at Leuphana than in ten years of school lessons.’

Louis Bordenave-Mutschler grew up in a small village near Strasbourg. His parents are both French, but his grandfather spoke Alsatian, an Allemanic dialect, and German: ‘He wanted me to learn the language too,’ reports the student, who came to Germany with B1-level skills: ‘I had set myself the goal of achieving C1 and I succeeded.’ Louis Bordenave-Mutschler took advantage of many of the numerous language learning opportunities offered by the International Centre at Leuphana: "We also read political and philosophical texts in German in the courses. I'm proud to have come this far linguistically in just one year."

But that's not the only reason why Leuphana is a special place for him: "Internationals receive a very friendly welcome here. I like the open nature of the people. It's a special place," says Louis Bordenave-Mutschler. As an Erasmus student, he is also taking part in Leuphana's Opening Week. During the Opening Week, all first-semester students learn together how academic work, social practice and general educational goals are combined at the college: ‘We bring our personalities to the table,’ reports Louis Bordenave-Mutschler. 

But the student doesn't just study, he also works - and repeatedly in Germany: "I worked in an amusement park near the French border. In Lüneburg, I waitress in a Vietnamese-French restaurant in the city centre."

The International Centre also helped with the bureaucracy: "I needed insurance. Only then was I able to work," explains Louis Bordenave-Mutschler. This is not his first extended stay in Germany. The Frenchman has already spent a few weeks in Potsdam as a student: ‘I like Germany and the people.’ He will soon be returning to France: ‘But I'll be back.’ And Louis Bordenave-Mutschler speaks these words in almost accent-free German.

The Language and Culture team at the International Centre offers course consultations shortly before the start of each semester. Students who are not quite sure which language course is right for them are welcome to come to the counselling sessions. The language lecturers support students in a variety of ways. Anyone who knows that they have difficulties with a particular language skill, e.g. grammar, pronunciation or reading, is invited to make use of the language counselling service.