What inspired you to join the team at TU Berlin Summer & Winter University?
I was inspired by the combination of education and cultural activities. Students from all around the world come to Berlin to study a unique course and discover the fascinating city of Berlin while making friendships for life.
Can you tell us about your role as the Project Manager?
In my role as a Project Manager, I organize everything around the student’s stay in Berlin. Besides preparing all the administrative work for their time here in Berlin, such as helping the students with their visa applications, supporting them with their health insurance, and finding them accommodation, I organize the cultural program that takes place alongside their academic courses. The idea of the cultural program is to introduce our international participants to the culture and history of Berlin, so we take them to Berlin's most famous sights and introduce them to the local culture first-hand through the historical, social and sporting activities.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The best part of my job is meeting the students. After emailing them in the run up to the summer and winter schools, it is so nice to finally put a face to the names when they arrive in Berlin. I love that I always meet new people from all around the world with so many different backgrounds.
How does your background in Cultural Sciences and Linguistics and your Erasmus experience in Sweden influence your work today?
Through my studies in Cultural Sciences and Linguistics I learned a lot about other languages and different language systems, which strengthened my understanding of the importance and great value of diversity.
Thanks to my Erasmus experience in Sweden, I can experience my work from another perspective. Being an international student helped me learn about differences between the Swedish and German university systems. Furthermore, I had a great time outside university making new friends and experiencing the Swedish culture. The orientation week in Sweden was really well organized, which benefited me lots as a foreign student, so I would like to give this experience back to our students joining the TU Berlin Summer & Winter University.
Why do you think it is important for individuals to travel and learn new languages?
By traveling you have the chance to learn about other cultures, learn a new language, and learn how the two are connected, which means the more you understand another language the more you get to know the culture. You can learn to dismantle prejudices you might have had when meeting individuals who are different to other individuals from the same culture.
How do you help support students at the TU Berlin Summer & Winter University?
I help them with every question they might have before and during their time in Berlin. Students can also reach us 24/7 while they are here.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means moving away from being just a tourist and really meeting and understanding the locals. Studying abroad, even short-term, gives you a life experience, not just a visit to a place for a photo.
Do you have any advice for prospective TU Berlin Summer & Winter University students?
Berlin is a great and diverse city. Being a student here allows you to get the most out of your time here because it facilitates meeting many different and interesting people, especially those you meet on your courses. I would recommend going to the different districts of Berlin and discovering as much as you can about Berlin’s history and current culture.
What can participants expect during their time with the TU Berlin Summer & Winter University?
Participants can expect quality academic program that have been hand-picked by our team for the relevance to tech, business, and industry. They will be immersed in very intensive courses, with practical elements, field trips, and group work, which will push them in their chosen disciplines. At the same time, participants will benefit hugely from the international and diverse setting by improving their intercultural competencies and making friends from all over the world. Furthermore, our course-accompanying cultural program will introduce them to Berlin in fun, sociable, and informative ways.
What hopes do you have for the future of the TU Berlin Summer & Winter University and your position?
Looking forward, I hope that we can continue to offer unique and hands-on academic programs that attract students from all around the world. It would be great to raise the diversity of our students year by year and to have more students joining us from countries which have underrepresented in the past in our summer and winter schools.
