After the long summer break, life is finally returning to our campus and with it many new faces! On October 4, 2022, a new phase of life began for the first-year students of the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies. How did they fare in the first few weeks and what impressions did they gather?
Author: Susanna Marek
Our first-year students were welcomed by the semester opening events specially tailored to our faculty from September 26 to September 30, 2022. Every year, these events offer students the opportunity to get to know their lecturers, fellow students, the rooms and some of the procedures. The program included helpful events such as the
This wealth of necessary information was rounded off with tips on studying and its organization as well as insights from some alumni of the relevant degree course.
There was also plenty of fun to be had during the week:
Further highlights at the start of their studies were the ceremonial opening of the semester for the Faculty of MK in the synagogue in Görlitz and the enrolment ceremony in Zittau for all HSZG first-year students.
After the induction week, our new students got straight down to the serious business of studying (albeit only after a Monday off). Full of excitement, with sharpened pencils and charged laptops, they entered our hallowed halls. The first lectures were listened to and the first seminars accompanied the start of their studies. Those who stumbled out of the lecture hall completely taken by surprise were able to dance away any initial confusion during the first semester party in Görlitz.
But what did our first-year students think of the events? Which ones seemed useful to them, were even fun, and which ones were considered unnecessary? We asked some of them about their start to their studies:
Alina is studying health care management. She took part in the bar evenings and barbecue evening of our student club at the start of her studies in 2022 and came into contact with other students from older semesters. She noticed that there was a high level of socializing among the students.
"The ceremonial semester opening of the MK faculty was really cool, refreshing - and not to be compared with similar events at school, much more relaxed and laid-back. I also enjoyed the guest lectures."
On the same day, the "Health care management" degree program was presented by the academic advisor Professor Saatkamp. She reports that she and her fellow students were positively surprised by it:
"You imagine profs to be rather old and stiff. But he was very relaxed and very approachable. You can tell that we are at a smaller university and that everything here is very informal."
She found the introduction to the computer systems helpful and the detailed explanations enriching. According to her, the technical progress at the university should definitely be emphasized positively. With this in mind, she tells us that she was impressed by the library tour and the fact that so many e-books are available to students. She was pleased that they took the time to show the first-year students around the library and explain the procedures.
In her first week as a student, she noticed that there were enough gaps in her timetable so that she could still go to work during her studies. At the start of her studies, she was surprised by the strong focus on economics in the first semester.
"Everything was very fast-paced. I realize that I always have to work on some modules at home. But I'm delighted with how informal it is here. You don't feel so left alone."
Niclas is studying International Business Communication. He took part in all the events during the introductory week at the start of his studies. He tells us how amazed he was:
"You don't get that everywhere. At some universities, you just have to find your own way around. So I thought it was very cool. It was well thought out and done in such a way that students were introduced to the course in an effective way."
However, he missed channels that informed him about changes at the start of his studies. He tells us that he generally finds information events important, but that there shouldn't be too many at once. He felt that the ones we offered were well-balanced. Some events, such as the hike up the Landeskrone, would not have been necessary in his opinion. He generally liked the enrolment ceremony, but felt that the venue away from campus was inappropriate. He would also have liked more attention to be paid to the students and for the other faculties to have been introduced. However, the guest lectures from politics, business and social affairs were very appealing. The start was very relaxed, even if some modules delivered a lot of material at once. He also finds the background knowledge that the lecturers impart beyond the curriculum exciting and important. This creates a direct practical connection to what you have learned. You immediately understand what you need it for.
He also likes the fact that our lecturers always make the teaching materials available online. That way, if you have an important appointment, you can work through everything later. He also said:
"The fact that you were automatically enrolled in all courses straight away and given a timetable is something I think is really good. At other universities, you have to take care of every module yourself and look for everything."
Lena is studying culture and management. In addition to the information events, she also took part in the games evening. She particularly appreciated the fun factor and the opportunity to get to know her fellow students.
Although she found some of the lectures during the semester opening to be dry, the moderation and the accompaniment by the pianist were very nice. She also took part in some of the events at the student club at the start of the semester and at the first-year party, she told the editorial team. She told us that the music at the party was okay. If you stood outside, you quickly got into conversation with others. The same applies to the student club "Maus", which is located directly on the student residence grounds: The fact that students live so close to each other here means you get to know great people from your own or other degree courses.
The first classes / courses at the start of their studies were exciting, as the first-year students were always told something new about their course. The teaching conditions, especially during the lectures, were different to those at school. But she is slowly getting used to it.
Marlene is studying Tourism Management. She only just moved to Görlitz on the day the course started. That's why she was only able to attend the information events. However, she reports that many of her fellow students who were there appreciated the opportunity to get to know other first-year students.
"The first classes / courses were a complete change for me. It's quite a difference from school lessons."
As a professor has to cram more content into a 90-minute unit than a teacher in the sixth form, it was difficult to follow him immediately, especially in the lectures. As a teaching unit does not include a short repetition of the last one, she realizes that as a student you also have to deal with the topics in your free time. But she doesn't let that get her down:
We would like to thank you for the detailed insights into the start of studies in 2022 and wish all first-year students a great time here at the Faculty MK!
