Three Questions For …

FORUM: Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Giulia Ciampi: My name is Giulia Ciampi. I’m 24 and currently pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy and business administration at the University of Mannheim. I’m originally from Bologna, Italy, where I attended a German-language school, and I completed my bachelor’s degree in South Tyrol. Right now, I’m working on my master’s thesis.

FORUM: How did you get into photography as a hobby?

Ciampi: I started with digital photography even before the COVID pandemic, but during the pandemic I really got more deeply into it. At some point I had the idea to ask my father whether he might still have an old analog camera lying around somewhere — and he actually did! I was immediately captivated by analog photography, and that’s when photography really became a true passion for me.

FORUM: What’s the story behind your photo?

Ciampi: During my semester abroad in Münster in 2022, the €9 ticket became available — it was such a great time! Together with a group of Erasmus students, we made it our goal to visit as many German cities as possible by train. I remember one particular day very clearly: it was raining, we were traveling between Heidelberg and Freiburg, and we were the only people on the train — so we made ourselves really comfortable. The trains felt like a kind of home back then; we spent hours and even days on them. We talked, read books, got bored … and to pass the time we kept inventing new games — we often played Truth or Dare, too. So when I saw the theme of the photo contest, this moment immediately came to mind.

Text: Jule Leger / April 2026

“Truth or Dare” (“Wahrheit oder Pflicht”) was the theme of the 2025 ABSOLVENTUM Photo Contest. All photos are currently on display in the corridor of the President’s Office (East Wing of the Schloss, ground floor).