Museology in Würzburg: a Few Months in Germany, a Lifetime of Memories

Hello from Elham, Marlin, and Rasha!

We’re excited to tell you about our unforgettable semester in Würzburg! We had the incredible opportunity to spend the summer semester of 2025 studying Museology at the University of Würzburg through the Erasmus+ exchange program.

Now that our semester has ended and we’re back home, we can finally look back and reflect on this unforgettable experience… Studying in Würzburg wasn’t just about lectures and exams, it was about exploring new ideas, meeting people from all over the world, and seeing how museums connect culture, history, and creativity in everyday life.

Würzburg quickly became a second home to us. Between the charming old streets, the welcoming people, and the inspiring academic environment, our time there was filled with learning, laughter, and countless memories we’ll carry with us forever. It was a deeply human and transformative journey that impacted our personal growth and reshaped our goals.

From the Banks of the Nile to the Main River

Moving from Cairo to Würzburg, everything about Germany felt new: the language, the weather, even how quiet the streets were compared to Cairo! Every day brought something different to discover, and the excitement of the adventure quickly replaced our worries. Würzburg welcomed us with warmth, the university coordinators were kind, patient, and always ready to help from arriving at the airport till our last day in the city they were always there for us.

We still remember walking through the old streets during our first week, passing the Würzburg Residence and standing by the Main River, thinking, “This is really happening.” Will this be our new home? The city has a charm that’s hard to describe small enough to feel cozy, yet full of life and history. Students were everywhere, sitting by the river, biking to classes, or chatting in cafés. Before long, we felt like part of that rhythm.

Finding Our Place

At first, we wondered how we’d fit in. Moving to a new country comes with many questions…Will we make friends? Will the language be a problem? But we quickly learned that Würzburg is a student city in every sense. People here are friendly and curious.

We started making friends during group projects and seminars. In addition to our international friends that we met in the free German courses provided by Sprachenzentrum. Many German students spoke English, and they were always interested in learning about Egypt; our culture, traditions, and even our food. One of our favorite memories was when we invited our classmates for dinner. We made “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian dish, and fresh “Lemonada”. They loved it! Moments like that helped us connect beyond the classroom.

Little by little, we discovered our favorite coffee spots, learned how to use the trams and buses without getting lost (most of the time!), and even started greeting people in German.

Studying Museology in Practice

The Museology program at Würzburg is full of variety. It mixes history, art, design, and storytelling – everything that makes museums so fascinating.

We took courses like Exhibition Design, Preventive Conservation, and Baroque and Rococo Art. Each subject opened a new window into the museum world. In Exhibition Design, we learned how to turn ideas into visitor experiences how lighting, layout, and storytelling can transform objects into narratives. In Preventive Conservation, we explored how museums protect their collections and why using sustainable materials is so important. And through studying Baroque and Rococo art, we got to appreciate Germany’s artistic heritage in a deeper way.

What we loved most was how interactive everything was. The professors encouraged us to ask questions, share our cultural perspectives, and connect theory with real-world examples. Every lecture felt like a conversation, not just a lesson.

Working in multicultural groups taught us how to communicate and collaborate across perspectives and led to creative ideas and long-lasting friendships. By the end of the semester, we weren’t just classmates we were a small global family.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Museology isn’t just about studying in classrooms it’s about experiencing culture firsthand. During the semester, we joined several field trips to different museums and historical sites across Germany.

We visited places like Speyer, Iphofen-Mönchsondheim, Bad Windsheim, and the charming city and museum of Hamburg. Each destination showed us something unique from open-air museums that preserve traditional village life to modern exhibitions that experiment with digital storytelling.

These trips helped us understand how museums in Germany connect the past with the present. Seeing curators, designers, and conservators at work gave us a clear picture of what we’re working toward as future professionals. It was both inspiring and motivating.

What we appreciate the most is how we were engaged in real projects in museums in Germany and international exhibitions too, that wasn’t only unforgettable memories, but knowledge and real life experience carved in our minds and souls.

Lessons Learned from Our Erasmus Semester

Our Erasmus semester in Würzburg was more than an academic experience it was a journey of learning, growth, and connection. We came here to study Museology, but we also learned about life: about patience, teamwork, and the beauty of cultural exchange.

We’re grateful for the opportunity that made this experience possible. It opened doors not only to professional development but also to friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

If you ever get the chance to study abroad, take it! You’ll learn so much not just from your courses, but from the people you meet and the places you call home, even if just for a while. For us, Würzburg will always be that special place.