Professor Dr. Uta Pottgiesser, who came up with the idea for the event, took on the responsibility of breaking the ice. She listened carefully to each and every student. In a relaxed atmosphere, the students introduced themselves, talked about their plans for the future, explained why they chose TH OWL, and shared their ideas for the international application for the degree program.
"I want to work in aerospace. That's why I chose the General Engineering degree program, to learn about all the different areas such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Mechatronics and find out which one best suits my goals. I think the university offers me a lot of knowledge and access to information that I might not be able to find elsewhere. For me, that's a good starting point," explained Kyriakos Dimitrios Papastergiou from Greece.
Other students also reported on their challenges and successes. Emilio Gabriel De Alba Aguado from Mexico said, "I found a job pretty quickly. I work here as a mini-jobber, as a bartender in a restaurant, and that allows me to pay my rent, food, and living expenses in Germany."
The international students also enjoyed the typical German Christmas cookies that are often offered during this time of year. Together with their fellow students, they engage in many activities, such as barbecues, video games, and hiking trips. Remy Numbi Wa Monga from the Democratic Republic of Congo reported that he enjoys hiking with his new friends. He particularly appreciates the degree program at TH OWL because it allows for a good balance between learning and leisure time: "The regulations at the university are really good. They don't put too much pressure on the students. At another university I attended, for example, you had to study continuously from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Productivity is important, but if you can't make the most of your life in the process, it's not ideal. That's why I think this decision was the right one."
Professor Dr. Pottgiesser also answered the students' questions and addressed their concerns in order to find solutions to specific challenges.
The new students come from all over the world: some crossed the Atlantic, such as those from Mexico and Venezuela, while others come from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Bangladesh. Joseph Oscar Gomes from Bangladesh said that he can communicate well in English in everyday life: "Whether in the supermarket or at the bank, people help me in English. It's doable. There are also many students from Bangladesh in the master's programs at our university. They give me helpful tips on how to make life here easier. For example, we use apps such as those from Deutsche Bahn or other mobile applications that simplify everyday life."
"Get in touch with ..." is part of TH OWL's internationalization program and aims to promote diversity and strengthen the integration of international students. It is intended to enrich the university and retain qualified professionals in the region.
