Starting your studies made easy!

This year’s “Come In” Weeks, featuring numerous preparatory courses, took place from September 10 to 28, 2018. For the first time, the event spanned three weeks, as the catalog of offerings continues to expand. New students at the Zittau and Görlitz campuses were able to brush up on their knowledge in mathematics, electrical engineering, chemistry, and physics to ensure they were optimally prepared to begin their studies.

The Numbers

With a total of 185 participants, the courses were once again very good in 2018. More than 100 of them attended the math preparatory course in Zittau, while around 60 took part in the math preparatory course in Görlitz—a new record for the Görlitz location. Over 70 eager learners attended the preparatory physics course, while the chemistry and electrical engineering sessions had 30 and 40 participants, respectively.

Settling In

A successful degree cannot be achieved through studying alone. A good social environment and feeling at home in the local community are essential factors for satisfaction during one’s studies. That is why the university has been offering various recreational activities as part of the “Come In” Weeks for several years now. This year, members of the StuRa and several student academic advisors (SbS members) took charge of organizing these activities. This allowed newcomers to get a first impression of the region through a variety of activities and, above all, to make new friends so they could have fun together and ward off any looming homesickness.

The barbecue evenings in Zittau and Görlitz were particularly popular this year. In addition to culinary delights, the cozy get-togethers fostered lively discussions about everyone’s impressions of their first few days. Many also took the opportunity to get to know the student academic advisors (SbS members).

The group city tour of Zittau was quickly booked up. During the tour, the newcomers learned about the historical background of this university town at the tri-state corner and got a glimpse into its numerous beer cellars.

A highlight, just like last year, was the pub crawl. For nearly 70 participants, the evening began with handmade burgers at Mister Bales before they set out to explore the city’s various pubs. The convivial evening came to a close at the DeZi Bar.

The weekend excursions included a trip to the beautiful Zittau Mountains. After climbing many meters in elevation, all participants were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Zittau countryside and across into the Czech Republic. On another day, participants had to prove their teamwork skills to escape an escape room together.

The hiking boots of the future students at the Görlitz campus also got a good workout. The destination was the summit of the local mountain—the Landeskrone. Once at the top, in addition to a unique view of the city, there was also something to satisfy their appetites.

Conclusion

Once again this year, the “Come In” Weeks enriched the educational offerings at HSZG. Many young people who have chosen to pursue an academic education in Zittau or Görlitz received support upon their arrival in a completely new environment and were prepared for the daily routine of their studies.

The organizers and staff of the “Diversity as a Strength” project would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved who contributed to the success of the numerous educational and recreational events. Special thanks go to the instructors of the preparatory courses in mathematics, Professor Goldmann and Professor Schnell; Mr. Prasse in chemistry; Dr. von Schäwen for leading the physics course; and Ms. Paetzold as the instructor of the electrical engineering preparatory course. A heartfelt thank you also goes to all the hardworking volunteers from SbS and the StuRa.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all first-year students a successful start to their first semester!