At the third semester of my Master Stay in Germany, namely in Aachen, I contemplated shortly on what positive and negative impressions this time has brought me.
The professors in Aachen have a remarkable strategy of teaching. They write a textbook on the topic. Then they can align the lecture process to the material within the book flexibly. In general, I find that convenient as I can trace them in the main book if I happen to lose the thread.
On the other hand, a drawback of my master - namely Media Informatics - consists in the fact that it is "a cooperation-master" - in the case cooperation between Fraunhofer in Bonn and RWTH Aachen. First two semesters I was in Bonn. I just got accommodated and then in the third moved to Aachen. Now I am newcomer in Aachen almost at the end of my studies. Next semester chances are high that I move back to Bonn. And for the last semester - you bet!
There is a vicious circle about being able to achieve further specialization in a field. This is actually the main aim of the master programs. One is virtually not capable to concentrate on a specific area. The reasons are that:
In the first semester most of the courses are compulsory that are not necessarily what you like. The rest are taken blindly since you are still newcomer and have no idea whether the attractive course title matches the content. So first semester is doomed!
Second semester! You happen to find an interesting course! And you are eager to deal further in the area... and...
The Professor tells you relaxedly: "This is just the introductory course." As such it has the features that it is generic, broad-scope, theoretical…please add more annoying adjectives. you know them. … He proceeds: "However, next Summer Semester we offer the specialized version of the course". However next semester you have to do internship or the course is not offered since your favorite prof. is on sabbatical. Or surprisingly - you move to Bonn/Aachen. Doomed!
Maybe I am too demanding about the university. Maybe I have to discover another approach to studying - more intuitive, maybe even chaotic. And I think I am not the only one with this idea:
Apart from studying (which happens only from time to time) life in Aachen can be noted for many social activities like the rehearsals with the student choir. Germany is considered a land of rules nationwide. However, there is significant difference even between cities. In Aachen the student choir, unlike the one in Bonn is better organized and the rules are stricter. There is a vaster majority of student-colleagues, who do really know what the point of singing is and how to follow note scores !
It is unwritten rule in Germany that the students are required to take part in the organization. An example is the Choir. Or the student dormitory. All the organizational issues are held by senior students as a voluntary initiative. We, Bulgarians, can be proactive like them, instead of simply complaining. Don't you think?
On the other hand, with regard to volleyball, the situation is in Aachen worse compared to Bonn. One has to go through a greater hassle to sign in on-line for any single training. With 40 000 students and only 3 Volleyball fields this is anyway comprehensible.
This is a brief glance at the student life in Aachen!
Anybody having chance to come by - you are welcome to pay me a visit! I am very hospitable :)
