“The University of Mannheim is a beautiful and international university.”

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I grew up in Kyiv and went to a school there that offered me the possibility to study German in depth. In ninth and eleventh grade, we had the opportunity to earn German language certificates for levels B2 and C1. After leaving school, I wanted to apply to a German university. This, however, was difficult because the Ukrainian school system only comprises eleven classes whereas in Germany, you need to attend school for at least twelve years to obtain a university entrance qualification. That's why I first studied journalism for one year at the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. This way, I fulfilled the requirements for applying to a German higher education institution.

What was it like for you to come to Germany?

I had been planning to come to Germany to pursue a degree program for a long time. After the Russian invasion in February 2022, however, it was no longer certain whether I would have the opportunity to do so. In spring 2022, my father joined the military forces. I then applied to universities in summer and came to Germany all on my own. I still remember sitting on a bench here on campus on my first day in Germany and crying because I still had to hand in an application form as a final requirement for enrollment. I was extremely worried that something might go wrong because it was the last day to hand in the form. Fortunately, everything went well in the end. The International Office also helped me a lot and answered all my questions. I would also like to thank Angela Dörflinger and Miriam Kucher at the International Office, who gave me lots of advice and support. 

How do the events in your home country influence your studies?

It's tough mentally, but I'm stronger after two years. I always keep up to date with the news and communicate a lot with my family in Ukraine. That helps me to stay strong. I've settled in well in Mannheim and met lots of new people. The international environment at the university, the many student organizations, and everything you can do here keep me busy and distract me from my worries.

What do you like best about your program of study and the University of Mannheim in general?

What I like most about my subject is its broadness. You learn a lot about different fields of work such as PR, marketing, and journalism. What I like about the University of Mannheim is the fact that it is a very beautiful university that offers everything you need for your studies and personal development. Another aspect that is important to me is the university’s international character. Alongside my studies, I am involved in the student organization VISUM, which organizes many events for international students. I got to know people from many different countries there. This has helped me grow as a person. Every time I meet someone new, I want to learn more about the person's traditions, culture, and home country in order to show respect, better understand the person and broaden my own horizons.

What do you do in your free time? 

I enjoy reading and attending various sporting classes in my free time. I also enjoy writing – especially texts for social networks. That's why I'm currently looking for a job or internship in social media. I also really enjoy learning new languages. I took a Spanish course in spring and am now continuing to study on my own. Recently, I have also started learning Danish. 

Do you have any tips for other international students on how to make friends at university? 

My tips are not to be afraid of being open, getting involved in student organizations, and attending events. I can highly recommend VISUM's International Dinners. You get to know a lot of people there and, in my experience, you can also make long-term friends. You also learn a lot about different cultures. In addition, the student organization fair takes place on a regular basis. It has something to offer for everyone. I would also like to draw your attention to the “Müttersprache” student organization, which offers free-of-charge German-language courses for women with children. As far as I know, people who are interested in supporting the organization can take part themselves as German-language teachers. This is a great project that should be supported. Apart from that, a good way to get in touch with other students in your department or school who are studying in other semesters is through the departmental student committees. 

Do you already know what you want to do after graduation? 

I want to pursue a master's degree, but I don't know yet whether that will be straight after obtaining my bachelor's degree. I have already gained some practical experience in sports journalism in Ukraine and worked as a volunteer in the Ukrainian ice hockey league. This summer, I also did an internship in the field of media and PR at SV Darmstadt 98. I’d like to pursue a career in sports journalism. Yet, I think as I’m still young I can first try out a lot and decide later what I want to do for a living. My goal is to become a specialist in my field and to continuously develop myself.

Interview: Tamara Gminsky / December 2024