This year's Come In Weeks took place from 09 to 27 September 2019 with numerous pre-course offerings. As in the previous year, this voluntary introductory phase for new students at the HSZG lasted three weeks.
Whether root functions, differential calculus, circuits, induction, stoichiometry, redox reactions, centripetal force or the law of mass action - the participants had numerous courses to choose from to refresh their knowledge. As a location for technical courses, Zittau offered its usual wide range of courses in mathematics, electrical engineering, chemistry and physics. At the Görlitz site, a preliminary mathematics course was offered especially for students of the Faculty of Management and Cultural Studies.
With a total of 167 students, the courses were in high demand, as in previous years. 102 of them took part in the math pre-course in Zittau, 58 in Görlitz. The preliminary physics course was attended by 60 inquisitive students, while the chemistry and electrical engineering courses each had 31 participants. With the exception of first-year students in the humanities, every third student attended one or more of the preparatory courses.
In addition to the necessary basic knowledge, general well-being is probably just as important for successful studies. This is the aim of our leisure activities, which are organized together with the Student Council and offer a varied mix of different excursions and activities. Whether it's a cozy evening by the lake or on campus, a city tour in Zittau or Görlitz, an excursion to Liberec or a hike through the nearby mountain landscape - being together offers space for conversations with like-minded people and at the same time shows the many possibilities of the inviting region.
The city tours were very well attended. In Zittau, there were cellar vaults in the historic town center to marvel at, while Görlitz, the easternmost city in the republic, shone with its Wilhelminian charm.
On the excursion to Liberec, the participants were able to get hands-on with science. In the iQLANDIA park, numerous natural phenomena could be explored playfully and experimentally. Afterwards, the third largest city in the Czech Republic was explored. The day came to a worthy end with original Bohemian beer.
As in previous years, the Zittau pub crawl was a highlight. Guided by student helpers, the groups visited the most popular pubs and the hottest burger joint in the city as part of an evening-long program. The sociable evening ended at a common destination, the DeZi Bar.
The "Strengthening Strengths" workshop was also very popular. The first-year students were shown tools for self-organization, stress prevention and management, as well as ways to learn properly. In addition, a series of workshops entitled "Semester-accompanying group offers at the HSZG" will be held again during the course of studies.
Once again this year, the Come In Weeks can be summed up positively. They have been an important component of teaching at the HSZG for several years now. Many young people who have opted for an academic education in Zittau or Görlitz have had an easier start to the new phase of their lives.
The organizers and staff of the "Diversity as strength" project would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the teaching and leisure events. Special thanks go to the lecturers of the preliminary courses in mathematics, Professor Goldmann and Professor Schnell. We would also like to thank Ms. Franke for conducting the chemistry preliminary course, Dr. von Schäwen for leading the physics course and Ms. Paetzold for teaching the preliminary course in electrical engineering. A big thank you also goes to the instructors and all the hard-working helpers from StuRa and SbS.
We wish the new students a successful start to their first semester and a pleasant time studying at our university!
