12/2025 Candela Sueiro

Age: 21 | Nationality: Argentinian

Christmas is this month: What are your plans for the holiday season in Germany? Are there any traditions you're curious about or looking forward to trying?

I’m genuinely really excited about the holiday season in Germany. Christmas has always felt special to me, but growing up in Argentina, the holidays take place in the middle of summer, so the entire atmosphere is completely different. Because of that, I’ve never experienced a ‘winter Christmas’ the way people celebrate it here, and I’m really looking forward to discovering it for the first time.

I feel very curious by the idea of seeing traditions I’ve only heard about: the Christmas markets, the decorations, the lights, and even something as simple as trying Glühwein, which I’ve never tasted before. I’ve also never been to a Christmas market in my life, so the fact that I get to experience that here makes me really happy.

I guess what I’m most excited about is the chance to learn what this season means to people in Germany and to be part of those traditions, even in a small way. It feels like a very special opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to it

With the start of winter - are there any activities or places in Berlin/Potsdam that you’re eager to experience during this season?

Now that winter is starting, there are several things in Berlin and Potsdam that I’m really looking forward to experiencing. I’m especially excited to see how both cities change with the season, the lights, the atmosphere, and the feeling of everything becoming a bit calmer and more festive.

I’d love to see Potsdam all decorated for winter, just to take in how the streets and buildings transform at this time of year. And in Berlin, I’m hoping to try some winter activities I’ve always been curious about, like outdoor ice skating.

Overall, I’m just very eager to experience how the change in seasons shapes daily life here. It’s all completely new to me, and I can’t wait to take it all in for the first time.

Tell us about your degree program. How did you get interested in your field of study? Any favorite classes?

I’m studying International Relations, and it’s a field I’m truly passionate about. I’ve always been very curious about different cultures and about understanding how the world works, how countries interact, how people relate to one another, and why global events unfold the way they do.

Growing up in Argentina also played a big role in shaping my interests. Politics is something people talk about constantly, and it’s part of everyday life in a very direct way. Being exposed to that environment made me want to understand why my country is the way it is, how certain decisions are made, and how national and global dynamics influence each other. That curiosity gradually expanded into a broader fascination with international affairs and the complexities of the global system.

As for classes, I’ve always been drawn to topics related to power structures. So right now, my favorite course is Power Dynamics in International Organizations. I find it incredibly interesting and engaging to explore how these power relationships work in practice, how they evolve over time, and how they shape the outcomes we see in the world today.

How do you find the teaching style compared to your home country?

I find the teaching style here quite different from what I’m used to in Argentina. One of the biggest contrasts is the structure of the classes. At home, most courses last around four hours, which means there is a lot of time for questions, in-depth explanations, and long discussions with the professor. Here in Germany, classes are much shorter, usually an hour and a half, so the pace feels very different and requires a much stronger focus on preparing and studying independently before class.

Another difference is the role of participation. In Argentina, it’s quite easy to remain quiet during class without it affecting your learning. Here, seminars really rely on students’ contributions, and hearing classmates’ perspectives plays a central role in the learning process. I’ve found that this encourages me to articulate my own views more often and engage more actively with the readings.

I’m also still getting used to having only one final exam or paper instead of the two exams we always have at home. It’s a different structure, and I’m still figuring out how I’ll adapt to it, but it’s been interesting to experience another academic system from the inside

Have you experienced any misunderstandings or funny language moments?

Yes, I’ve definitely had a few funny language moments. Since I grew up speaking only Spanish, switching constantly between English for my classes and German in everyday life sometimes makes my brain short-circuit a little.

What usually happens is that I suddenly can’t remember a simple word, and I end up going through all three languages to see which one comes out first. It’s both frustrating and quite funny, especially when I can’t even find the word in Spanish but somehow remember it in German or English.

German has been challenging, but in a way that feels exciting, and honestly, these little moments make the whole learning process much more fun.

Do you find it easy to balance studies, social life, and personal time?

Yes, I actually find it quite easy to balance everything, and I feel very lucky in that sense. I genuinely love what I study, so most of the time studying doesn’t feel heavy or like something I need to force myself to do. That already makes everything much simpler.

When it comes to social life and personal time, I’m also the kind of person who finds it hard to say no to plans, so sometimes I do end up doing a bit of everything at once. But having an active social life also helps me keep the rest in balance; it reminds me that to enjoy time with friends, I also need to stay organized with my studies and make space for myself.

I’m also very fortunate to have friends here who share similar goals and rhythms. We understand each other, we like doing the same kinds of things, and we support one another. So in the end, everything tends to fall into place naturally, and the balance comes quite comfortably

What is the most surprising thing about Germany for you?

I actually have a slightly controversial opinion about Germany: one of the things that surprised me the most is the train system. I don’t mean whether the trains are always on time, what really amazes me is that almost every city and even very small towns are connected by rail. In my country, traveling usually means taking a long-distance bus, a plane, or driving. So as a student, being able to reach so many places by train, and quite cheaply, feels incredible. Whether the trains work perfectly or not doesn’t change how impressive it is, and I can see why locals sometimes get frustrated, but coming from my background, I think it’s amazing.

At the same time, I’m constantly surprised by how integrated nature is in cities across Germany. Parks, lakes, forests, and green spaces are everywhere, right in the middle of urban areas, which makes even cities feel more open and inviting. Potsdam is a perfect example: based on its population, I expected a smaller city, but with all the parks, lakes, forests, and palaces right in the city itself, it feels much larger and makes it a fascinating place to live. This combination of accessible nature everywhere and the opportunities to explore makes city life here really unique and enjoyable

Your future plans:

Before returning to Argentina, I would love to spend some time exploring more of Germany, visiting different cities and towns once the semester is over. After that, my immediate plan is to go back home, finish my studies, and complete my Bachelor's degree in International Relations. Later on, I would love to come back to Germany to pursue a Master’s degree, if possible, in a field related to development, economics, or public administration.

At the same time, coming from Argentina, which can be politically and economically unstable, it’s difficult to plan too far ahead. Another important plan for me is to work in the public sector in Argentina, contributing to the development of the country and helping to build a better future. I feel motivated to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible so that I can make a meaningful contribution, whether through further education or through work in the State.