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A Semester to Remember: Study Abroad in Valencia
06.11.2026 Gaining new perspectives, building international connections and growing on a personal level: for Industrial Engineering and Management Science students Oskar Kozloski and Nicolas Theubet, their exchange semester at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) was a truly formative experience. Both spent a semester in the Spanish Mediterranean city of Valencia as part of their Study Abroad programme, returning with lasting memories, new friendships and valuable skills.
Key points at a glance
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Industrial Engineering and Management Science (WING) students Oskar Kozloski and Nicolas Theubet spent their Study Abroad semester at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.
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In addition to gaining academic experience, they developed valuable intercultural skills, made international friends and broadened their horizons.
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Both look back on their time in Valencia very positively and encourage fellow WING students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad.
Embracing new experiences
Both students had similar motivations for studying abroad: discovering new cultures, experiencing different ways of life and developing on a personal level. While Oskar Kozloski was eager to embrace new experiences and broaden his horizons, Nicolas Theubet was particularly drawn to the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and meet people from all over the world.
They chose Valencia, a city renowned not only for its pleasant climate and high quality of life, but also for its prestigious technical university. UPV offered both students the opportunity to deepen their academic knowledge in an international environment while experiencing the Spanish way of life.
«I was motivated to study abroad because I wanted to experience something new and step outside of my usual environment. I was interested in discovering a different culture, meeting people from different countries, and seeing what everyday life and studying are like in another country. I also saw it as a great opportunity to become more independent, gain new experiences, and broaden my perspective.»
Find out more: Study Abroad at BFH
The BFH supports its students in organising study exchanges at more than 120 partner universities worldwide. Within Europe, exchange semesters can be completed through the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP), which includes a mobility grant.
Find out more about the opportunities for studying and completing an internship abroad:
Life in Valencia
What both students highlight most are the people they met during their stay. Friendships with students from different countries, intercultural encounters and shared experiences shaped their everyday lives far beyond the lecture hall.
The semester in Valencia was much more than simply a change of location. Living in an international environment required openness, adaptability and the courage to step outside their comfort zones. At the same time, it offered the opportunity to discover new perspectives, strengthen intercultural skills and grow on a personal level.
“It was a very valuable experience, both personally and academically,” says Oskar Kozloski, reflecting on his time in Spain. For him, one of the most rewarding aspects was meeting people from a wide range of countries and cultural backgrounds.
Nicolas Theubet also looks back on his experience with great enthusiasm: “The six months in Valencia were among the sunniest of my life.” The combination of studying, international exchange and the Spanish way of life made his semester an unforgettable experience.
Both agree that their time abroad broadened their perspectives on the world and helped shape their personal and professional development.
«Study Abroad really helped me getting to know more about my own personality. What's also great is coming home and having so many people tell you how much you've changed and grown during your time abroad.»
Recommendation for future exchange students
When asked what advice they would give to fellow Industrial Engineering and Management Science students, both have a surprisingly short answer: “Just do it.”
A semester abroad offers the opportunity to gain international experience, develop intercultural skills and build a valuable international network. The experiences of Oskar Kozloski and Nicolas Theubet show just how rewarding such an exchange can be – both for personal growth but also future career prospects.
