A Roadmap to Life in Germany Frisch!

Issue 2018

frisch! international: a roadmap to life in Germany frisch! baked: guide to starting your studies frisch! and lively: living in Erlangen-Nuremberg frisch! challenge: abroad, master’s degree, job prospects

www.fau.de ongratulations! You’ve decided to study at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen- CNürnberg. That’s a great choice! Plus, you’ve just found the perfect companion to show you around: our magazine frisch! an der FAU can tell you (almost) everything you need to know about life at FAU – like how you can make the best start on your course, where Welcome to FAU

you can get help and advice if you need it, how you can arrange a semester abroad, and what career opportunities are on offer in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. And, of course, we can give you loads of tips about all the important stuff that has nothing to do with your course. By that we mean accommodation, food, and fun – and how to afford it all. You should also know that FAU has all kinds of great further training courses and recreational activities on offer. You can take language courses at the Language Centre, take up a sport at the Hochschulsport, dive into the world of music, or be part of FAU’s campus media crew. If you’re interested in being politically active and helping to shape FAU, a whole host of university committees would love you to get involved. And if, after graduating, you can’t bear the thought of leaving, FAU’s doors are always open to talented young researchers.

Also: our editorial team wants to make life easy for you, so we’ve collected all the links from this magazine and posted them online at www.fau.info/new-to-fau. Scan the QR code on the left – it’s even easier than typing out the URL!

We wish you a lot of fun and success for your time at FAU. And if you don’t know it yet, you’re sure to know it once you’ve finished reading this issue: FAU is the place for you!

Scan, don’t type: all URLs Your frisch! editorial team from this issue at a glance

PUBLISHING INFORMATION Editors: Katharina Götz, Katrin Piecha Printing and advertising: vmk – Verlag für Marketing & frisch! an der FAU Writers: Sophia Baumann (sb), Christina Dworak (cd), Kommunikation GmbH & Co.KG, Monsheim Publisher: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Katharina Götz (kg), Celina Henning (ch), Sandra Kurze (sk), Circulation: 11,000 copies Schlossplatz 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Boris Mijat (bo), Katrin Piecha (kp), Claudia Rummel (cr), Alicia Schmidbauer (as), Franziska Sponsel (fs) ISSN 2198-4425 Responsible for content: Office of Communications and Press Layout and cover: zur.gestaltung, Nuremberg frisch! online: Dr. Susanne Langer Cover photo: bajinda/shutterstock.com www.fau.info/new-to-fau Phone: +49 9131 85 70200, [email protected]

Thank you! We would like to thank the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg and the Entlas Keller for allowing us to photograph there. And we’re extremely grateful to all the students and friends who agreed to be our models.

May 2018 3

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Career Service Jobs finden statt suchen! FAU-Stellenwerk – das Jobportal der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg 28 50 Content 20 14

6 frisch! Insider tips 32 Ready, steady, uni! 50 The Uni Library treasure chest Students share their tips on what you really need to know Offers that make your university start easier The clever way to find your book

8 Vital statistics 33 The frisch! crash course in 52 Two minds are better than one What you need to know about FAU university policymaking The diversity scouts help other students out How to make your voice heard as a student 10 A guide for new students 53 Can’t find the way at FAU? Who to contact when 34 The frisch! annual planner, 2018/2019 We’ve got it mapped out An overview of the most important dates The online map service shows you the right way 12 Always there to help The Student Advice and Career Service 36 Robot muscles from a test tube 54 Erlangen or Nuremberg Students in research Two students share city tips 14 Where? How? Why? Online portals that help with studying 38 Let‘s get out of here 56 Getting involved Studying in the big, wide world What FAU offers beyond lectures and seminars 16 One university, one blog Students write about university life 40 Historic towns, regional culture – 60 Move your body! and a lot of fun University Sports offers something for everyone 18 Achieve something while you study Discover Franconia together with fellow students Medical students help refugees 61 Full speed ahead www.stellenwerk-fau.de 42 So you know how the bunny runs! Sporting competitions for students 20 Almost as good as home International students explain German customs Student Services helps (in almost) all life situations 62 Fair for everyone 44 Life after uni Students take a stance on sustainability 24 At court in Vienna The Career Service makes it possible Hier findest du Two law students on the international stage 64 Fränkisch: It’s German but not as Jobs so individuell 46 Removing obstacles you know it 26 All about the money Equal opportunities for all at FAU The frisch! Franconian course for beginners wie das Studentenleben: Money matters for a fun student life Nebenjobs, Praktika Referat Marketing; Foto: Stellenwerk Herausgeber: FAU 47 Music to the ears 66 A start-up adventure 28 Not just for media types Music at FAU An interview with former FAU student Laura Jacobi oder Einstiegspositionen. Students produce radio programmes and videos Täglich neue Angebote 48 Super quick and super smart 3 Editorial/legal notice 30 Fit for the world Students build a supercomputer aus Erlangen, Nürnberg Learning languages at FAU und ganz Deutschland. May 2017 5

Stellenw_AnzFrisch_A4_Druck.indd 1 20.03.2018 12:40:24 #insidertips frisch! Insider tips +++ Insider tips +++ Insider tips +++

Welcome to FAU! Now you can finally get going with your student life. We asked the experts to share their top tips for making a successful start. Pia (25), Law

The first thing you should do to get off to a flying start and start the way you mean to go on is to Sophia (25), Literary studies – sign up for University sport. It‘s a great way to meet new people, work up a sweat, or relax in intermedial and intercultural the sauna. Places go quickly, though, so sign up as soon as you can. Another sporting event with I would recommend taking a look at the list of what’s on in the regional theatres in a difference is the ‘Laufgelage’, where running Nuremberg, Fürth and Erlangen – it’s easy to get there with your semester ticket! There are buffet is taken literally. It is the perfect opportuni- great discounts for students. Cinema fans should be sure to check out the Lamm-Licht- ty to sample some good food whilst meeting spiele cinema in Erlangen. Once every semester, this attractive cinema shows an evening

Images: FAU/Franziska Sponsel; FAU/Boris Mijat (Niels); Daniela Kovac (Eva); FAU (Schlossgarten) Mijat (Niels); Daniela Kovac (Eva); FAU Sponsel; FAU/Boris FAU/Franziska Images: new people. All the information you need can be of short films (Kitaso) organised by FAU students. You can also enjoy a quiet drink or two found on Facebook and the website. with friends after an evening out in a quaint pub like Strohalm or La Sorbonne.

Theodor (23), Physics

Niels (22), Luis (26), Anh (25), It’s always worth going for a long walk through Erlangen. If you keep your eyes open while Jermaine (26), Molecular medicine Eva (19), Computer science Medical engineering International Business wandering through the town you’ll always find somewhere worth stopping for a rest. Some- Teaching in Mittelschule There is a huge range of options available As a new student, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask The first challenge is to find an apartment. It is very easy to get fit in Nuremberg. I would times you happen completely unexpectedly to students. I can make the most of if there’s anything you’re unsure about and you I recommend that you keep an open mind recommend signing up for the gym using your upon one of the grotesque statues by Heinrich Whether it’s enjoying a beer at Gutmans at the courses in sport (University sports), should be willing to try new things. You can get a and look in some of the towns outside student discount, and checking out healthy Kirchner round the next bend. His sculpture Dutzendteich, a musical put on by the music language courses (UNIcert), PC software lot of information about which study options you Erlangen, for example Dechsendorf, Vietnamese restaurants. In the summer, it’s garden above the beer cellars on the slopes of students, the annual pub crawl for new students (computer centre), funding for stays have during your degree programme at student Heßdorf or Fürth. It may not be ideal, but it awesome to go jogging around the castle or the Burgberg hill is a truly magical place. or parties organised by the student initiatives, abroad (Erasmus, DAAD) and scholar- organisations and the Student Service Centres. could work out cheaper and you might wandering around the old town. My friends and Everyone should venture there on a mild it’s never boring on and around the campus at ships (Germany scholarship, e-fellows) – It’s important to remember that it’s not the end of find a bigger apartment. The public I have formed a Whatsapp group to help us summer evening, look down on the hustle and Regensburger Straße. It’s also worth going to they‘re often easier to get than you think. the world if you fail an exam, it’s not worth transportation is good and it’s worth meet up and work out together. Peer pressure bustle in the town below, let go of all their cares introductory events to get an idea of what’s on Often you just need to take the time to getting worked up about. buying the semester ticket. It allows you to is a powerful force when you need motivation and anxieties, take a deep breath and unwind. offer and meet new people. And if you ever do find out about what is available, and it’s travel around the region and visit cities like to stay fit. have problems, the students’ representatives are definitely worth it. Just give it a go! Bamberg and Rothenburg. ready to help.

6 frisch! an der FAU May 2017 7 #facts #figures Vital Statistics! SCHON IM ERSTEN JOB Things you should know about FAU. EIGENVERANTWORTLICH FORSCHEN GEHT NICHT.

university

cities 42 percent of FAU students are working towards Durch praxis- und projektbezogene Arbeit 2 a Bachelor’s degree. hast Du auch schon im Studium bei uns beste Chancen, Dich weiter zu entwickeln. The University’s main locations are Erlangen and Nuremberg. But FAU is also present elsewhere www.iis.fraunhofer.de – for instance, it has a materials research centre in Fürth, an astronomical institute and observa- tory in Bamberg, and a water sports centre in About Pleinfeld. 580 professors teach and do research at FAU.

the mp Format comes from3 Erlangen and was developed by researchers from FAU and the Fraunhofer 1743 Institute for Integrated Circuits. was the year the University was founded. Back then, it was called Friedrichs-Univer- sität after its founder Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. In 1769, it was ® renamed Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Bei uns müssen Sie nicht in honour of its great patron Alexander, Margrave of Ansbach and Bayreuth. auf den Erfolg warten! faculties 5 Wir sind der Spezialist für qualiﬁ ziertes BÜRO- & EDV/IT-Personal. Unser professionel- make up FAU: the Faculty of Humanities, les Arbeiten sowie unsere langjährige Erfahrung auf dem Gebiet der Personalplanung Social Sciences, and Theology; the Faculty wird von unseren namhaften Kunden im regionalen Großraum Nürnberg/Fürth/Erlangen of Business, Economics, and Law; the Faculty geschätzt. Personalüberlassung, Direktvermittlung sowie unser Projektbereich (Out- of Medicine; the Faculty of Sciences; and the aRound 12,000 sourcing/Outplacement) bieten Ihnen eine Fülle von Chancen am Arbeitsmarkt. Faculty of Engineering. portions of food are served up every day during teaching periods in the canteens and cafeterias Hochschulabsolventen und Akademikern kann BERG zu anspruchsvollen Positionen run by Student Services in Erlangen and Nuremberg. bzw. zum ersten Schritt auf der Karriereleiter verhelfen.

Wir nehmen uns gerne Zeit, mit Ihnen eine maßgeschneiderte Lösung für Ihren beruﬂ i- chen Werdegang zu ﬁ nden. almost 24 Für unsere namhaften Kunden suchen wir: sailboats are anchored at the University’s water BWL-Absolventen sports centre on the Großer Brombachsee. 40,000 mit verschiedenen Schwerpunkten The centre also runs regular courses that students are currently enrolled at FAU. teach you how to sail skiffs like a pro. During the University’s very first semester in Technik-Absolventen 1743, there were just 64. Schwerpunkt EDV, Informatik oder Elektrotechnik Studenten Personalüberlassung für Jobs während Semester oder Semesterferien

Personalvermittlung BERG Personalmanagement GmbH 90489 Nürnberg Äußere Sulzbacher Str. 16 49.5 5,390,033 Telefon 0911 / 3 50 38 - 0 Fax 0911 / 3 50 38 - 99 metres is the height of FAU’s tallest building: books and journals are available for Projektlösungen Aktuelle Stellenbörse unter: www.berg-personal.de the Wolfgang-Händler tower on the South knowledge-hungry readers in the university Campus in Erlangen. In second place are the library and its departmental and branch ‘philosophers’ towers’ on Bismarckstraße, libraries. You can also access around 950.000 BÜRO VERWALTUNG EDV IT

which are each 30.5 metres tall. e-books via the library. ❰❰ sk Roland Hallmeier Illustration:

8 frisch! an der FAU #FAUcard #advice #examinationsoffice

A guide for new students

There are lots of new things waiting for you as a first-year student at FAU. You can find useful tips and information about the most important contact points here.

New at FAU Getting the right advice Organising your studies

Congratulations, you’re now a student at FAU! As In your first few weeks at university you will be con- The Student Records Office is in charge of student proof of your new status as a student, you’ve been fronted with a lot of new things. But don’t worry, data. You will receive an e-mail from the Student given your own FAUcard. Your FAUcard is your FAU provides students with a range of services Records Office each semester reminding you to student ID and will get you discounts at places like that can help. The first point of contact for any re-register (so don’t forget to activate your FAU museums and cinemas. You can also use it to bor- questions about your studies is the Student Ad- e-mail address!). These e-mails are sent in June for row books from the University Library, pay at Stu- vice and Career Service (IBZ), which offers infor- the winter semester and in January for the summer dent Services’ cafeterias and vending machines, mation about planning your studies, tips on study- semester. After receiving the e-mail, you need to and use the University’s copying facilities. Your ing abroad and advice on how to find the right transfer your semester fees by the given deadline, FAUcard is also used for access to certain areas of Master’s degree programme once you’ve com- otherwise you will be de-registered. As soon as the University with electronic access control. The pleted your Bachelor’s degree. The team can also the University receives the money, you will be period for which it is valid is printed on the card. provide advice if you have any problems during re-registered and you can print your certificate of You will need to update this every semester using your studies or if you want to change your subject enrolment for the next semester yourself. one of the validation machines. You can find de- or transfer to another university. The Student Ad- tails of the locations of these machines and more vice and Career Service is located in room 0.021 If you decide to spend a semester abroad or do an information on the FAUcard at at Halbmondstraße 6, Erlangen. It is open Monday internship, or if you are ill for an extended period of www.fau.info/faucard-english to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday time or are pregnant, you will need to apply for from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to leave in time. If you are granted leave for a semes- 2 p.m. www.ibz.fau.eu ter, it will not count as a semester in your degree programme so you won’t risk exceeding the If you have any questions about the content of standard duration of studies. The Student Records your degree programme or require advice about Office is also the place to apply for leave. If you which courses to take, you can contact your sub- would like to find out more first, you can contact ject advisor. The Student Advice and Career Ser- the Student Advice and Career Service for infor- vice will be happy to provide you with their contact mation and support. details. Information and support is also available from www.fau.info/ssc-english. During your time at FAU you will have to take examinations at regular intervals. Make sure you read And your fellow students are there to help too – the examination regulations for your subject at the such as through the student associations (FSI). start of your studies. These regulations provide in- Most departments have an FSI. You can go to formation on important aspects of your degree them with any questions or problems and receive programme, such as which requirements you have The first point of contact for all questions concerning advice from student to student: www.stuve.fau. to fulfil to be eligible to sit examinations, and which studying: the Student Advice and Career Service. de/hochschulgruppen-fsien (German). examinations you need to pass before certain The service team is available Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. deadlines. to 6 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.fau.info/examination

The mein campus portal will save you making lots of trips to the Student Records Office and the Ex- aminations Office during your studies. Via www. campus.fau.de (German) you can print out your own documents, such as certificates of enrolment, proof of which courses you have attended, and grade transcripts. You can register for lectures and seminars via mein campus, and it also functions as FAU’s virtual examinations office. You can use the portal to register for examinations (and cancel your registration if necessary), and it provides you with Whoever knows where to an overview of your studies to date. ❰❰ go to get answers to all the many questions about the start of studies, will achieve their goals more quickly! Image: FAU Image: David Hartfiel Image:

10 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 11 #studyplan #masterdegree

Always there to help – the Student Advice and Ready, Career set, career. Service

I create development software tools for cars. Leaving school and starting My motivation: As a student I developed racing cars. university can be quite a shock, Today I bring in all my passion and effort into the development of tools that help to bring self-driving car and sometimes you would like features to the market.

nothing better than to just pull Let your ideas shape the future. Keja Rowe Electrical Engineer the covers over your head and hide. www.careers-continental.com Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA Don’t worry! If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Advice and Career Service straightaway. The advisors are always happy to help. Nutze deine Zeit… und starte mit uns in Deine Zukunft! Wir in Nürnberg bieten Studenten (m/w) eine individuelle und passgenaue Praxis zum Studium.

Wir zählen zu den weltweit führenden Unternehmen in der elektrischen Mess-, Prüf- und Regeltechnik. Unsere Produkte und Systemlösungen zeichnen sich durch innovative Technologien und höchste Zuverlässigkeit aus. BEWERBUNG UND INFORMATIONEN UNTER:

o get you started, we have included answers colourbox.de Image: to the three most-asked questions by stu- T dents to the Student Advice and Career Ser- vice below. I’m not enjoying my degree programme. tions and information on programmes offered at www.gmc-instruments.de/karriere How can I change? FAU. You should also talk to an advisor to work out How do I draw up my study plan? First of all you should think about why you’re not which Master’s degree programmes would be suit- First of all, you should find out which courses you enjoying your degree programme. The best thing to able and which requirements have to be met. It have to take. You can check in the degree pro- do is arrange a meeting with a study advisor from might even turn out to be a subject you haven’t gramme and examination regulations or the mod- the Student Advice and Career Service. Together, actually thought about yet. ule handbook for your degree programme. Next, you can think about which other degree pro- WIR SUCHEN you should refer to the course catalogue at grammes would interest you. Do you want to study Answers to a number of other questions can be www.univis.fau.de, where you can add the courses something completely different or a similar degree found in the Student A-Z: www.fau.eu/study/. And that you want to attend to your draft study plan by programme? What do you have to do to change if you still have questions, you can arrange an ap- clicking ‘Sammlung/Stundenplan’ (collection/study your degree programme? pointment at www.ibz.fau.eu or come to one of the plan). Print this off and take it to the introductory open consultations. ❰❰ kg FRISCHES event for your degree programme, where you will What should I do after my Bachelor’s degree? find out what to do next. Further information on the Should I study a Master’s degree and if so, study plan can be found at www.fau.info/studyplan. which one? The Student Advice and Career Service offers a GRÜN Master’s information day every year with presenta-

1803_Anzeige_OHM_Journal_186x128mm.indd 1 12.03.2018 14:35:44 12 frisch! an der FAU #FAUcard #email #StudOn #UnivIS #rechenzentrum Where? How? Why?

Missed a lecture? Can’t decipher your notes? Don’t worry!

FAU has a wide range of online services and portals that will support you throughout your studies.

The first step Computer skills Your Prof in MP3 format

In order to use the many online services and the Whether it’s compiling PowerPoint slides for a Missed a lecture? Can’t decipher your notes? University’s computer rooms you have to activate presentation or formatting a written assignment, Don’t worry! You can find a wide range of video your Idm account. You will find your Idm username you can learn a variety of tips and tricks for using and audio recordings of FAU lectures and pre- and activation password in the letter you received different programmes on www.kurse.rrze.fau.de sentations on the FAU video portal www.fau.tv when you enrolled. Use these details to log in at (German). (German) and in the Apple iTunes store under www.idm.fau.eu. Once you have done this your ‘iTunes U’ – free of charge, of course. You can student ID card – your FAUcard – will be created download them to listen to or watch on your com- automatically and sent to you by post. But you’ll Study at home puter at home or on a portable device while you’re still need to remember the web address for the on the move. If you’re not a Mac user, you’ll need future, as this is where to go to reset your pass- StudOn allows you to study from home, go over to download iTunes to make use of the service. word or change your address. material from lectures and seminars, and prepare The video portal can be accessed via any browser. for exams. At www.studon.fau.de (German) you’ll find lecture notes, timetables, material for tutorials [email protected] and exams, recordings of complete lectures and Everything according to Whoever knows much more. You can also discuss things with oth- (study) plan FAU’s various When you activate your account at www.idm.fau.eu er students and lectures through the forums and it is important that you activate your FAU e-mail chat function. You can find all courses that are offered at FAU in online offers and address. Important information from the Student a given semester and can create your own study Records Office and the Examinations Office, for plan at www.univis.fau.de (German). There is also how to use them, example, on topics such as re-registration dates Always up-to-date a complete telephone and e-mail directory of all has a head start! will be sent to this address. You can choose to staff at the University. have e-mails that are sent to this address forward- The FAU website is the place to go for updates on ed to another e-mail address. You can also use current developments in teaching and research, as your FAU e-mail address on applications or in oth- well as news for students. You will find information Into the wireless network er situations where you need a professional ad- about courses and lectures that aren’t part of the dress. regular programme, degree programmes and To ensure you can access the online services any scholarships, as well as current notices from the time, there are 1,400 WiFi access points at FAU. Examinations Office and Student Records Office They cover all locations in the city centre and the Safe in the university cloud there. You can also subscribe to news via RSS Southern Campus in Erlangen, as well as locations feed. Take a look at www.fau.de / www.fau.eu. in Nuremberg, Fürth, Tennenlohe, and Bamberg. Cloud storage is very practical, but it needs to be You’ll also receive the FAU newsletter with key in- secure. With the FAUbox at faubox.rrze.fau.de formation and dates around once every two (German) you can save documents, images, mu- weeks. You don’t need to subscribe to this – it will The perfect tool sic, videos and more, and synchronise them be sent to your FAU e-mail address automatically. across several devices – easily, securely and reli- You can find the right software for your studies at ably. You can access your files from anywhere and www.software.rrze.fau.de (German). Many of the share them with other people. products are also available for private use.❰❰ Image: David Hartfiel Image:

14 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 15 #meineFAU #UniFAU #socialmedia #followme #blogger One university, one blog

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Why did you apply to become an author for #meineFAU? When choosing my student jobs, the most important thing for me has always been that I enjoy what I do. Working as an author sounded like a great challenge, where I can be creative and contribute my own ideas. I’ve always loved reading, and I thought it would also make sense to try my hand at writing!

What do you most enjoy writing about? To be honest, any topic can be interesting. It just WasWhat’s gibt new es neuesat FAU? an What’s der FAU? currently Was ist trending gerade in angesagt the region? in der Region? depends how you go about it. I do particularly enjoy writing about things which are important to me No-oneDas weiß knows keiner better besser, than als students. Studierende. Matthias, Auf demwho unieigenenis currently Blogstudying meineFAU teaching schreiben German personally. For example, my last article was about Critical Mass in Franconia. A great event, where asKommilitonen a second language, für dich writesüber das all aboutStudentenleben life at FAU anon derthe FAU#meinefau – so wie blog Matthias, which isder run Didaktik by new students who want to come and join in are always welcome. studentsdes Deutschen for students. als Zweitsprache studiert. Where do you get the ideas for your articles? Sometimes our editor-in-chief Immanuel Rein- schlüssel (FAU Marketing Department) suggests specific topics or sends an email to the team. I always try to come up with my own ideas, although I obviously check with the editing team first. I tend to choose topics which interest me as a student and which I think could be of benefit for other students as well.

What have you learnt about the university Why should FAU students read #meineFAU? What is your insider tip for new students? thanks to #meineFAU that you didn’t know It gives a good insight into many aspects of stu- Being a student is the perfect time to try out lots of before? dent life. As the blog is written by students for stu- new things, gain a lot of new experiences. You re- There is so much going on at the university to get dents the articles often reflect issues which are of ally should grasp that opportunity with both hands. involved with – often much more than most people great interest for the student community as a Making mistakes is no big deal. Just make sure Matthias is one of the realize which is why it’s important to keep in- whole. It might be which is the best club for a night that you learn from them! ❰❰ kp students who write for formed. Some things – like discounts, helpful out in Erlangen, or events run by the university the blog #meineFAU. seminars and swap events – really make life easier where you can meet other people. All students are

Images: FAU/Franziska Sponsel FAU/Franziska Images: FAU Image: for students once you have found out about them. interested in finding out about that. www.blog.fau.de/meinefau (partly English)

16 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 17 #humanrights #studentlife #MedFak Achieve something while you study

Would you like to help people and gain practical experience in your profession?

Image: FAU/Boris Mijat FAU/Boris Image: Students Elena and Natalie (right) are involved in medicine and human rights, where they help refugees with medical questions.

In addition to the consultation hour, there are also about. “We cannot and must not give medical ad- teams in the group that deal with public relations, vice ourselves; we are not doctors, at least not fundraising, or providing child care for refugee chil- yet,” says Elena. Sometimes their help can be dren. “The tasks and projects are diverse,” says problematic, she recalls. Not every refugee talks Natalie. “Students from any Faculty can partici- immediately about their problems. They may not pate.” In addition, the group works closely with want to talk to a woman about their illness, or go other refugee-aid projects, such as the Volunteer with a male interpreter to the specialist doctor. Service in Erlangen (EFIE), as well as with FAU en- “You have to have a culturally-sensitive touch,” tities, such as the Professorship for Ethics in Med- says Elena, “after all, it’s about private things.” icine or the Institute for History and Ethics of Med- Elena and Natalie are happy when they can help icine, which support the students as patrons. people, bring them happiness, and achieve some- Medical care is a human right. For refugees, however, gaining access can be difficult. thing. They also learn something for their future “For many, it is difficult to go with a referral to a professions by coming into contact with patients To offer help, FAU students Natalie and Elena are involved with the Medicine specialist doctor and to make appointments,” at an early stage. They are learning to build trust says Natalie. She and Elena write down the diag- and to listen. ❰❰ bo and Human Rights group. noses, for example, during the consultation, so www.blogs.fau.de/medmensch (German) that interpreters immediately know what it’s all

A special consultation hour Consultation hours are held weekly in the Asylum Café of the citizens’ meeting place, ‘Die Villa’. Na- talie and Elena are waiting for their first visitor on a Studium und Beruf: Lösungen aus 1. Hand cloudy afternoon. Before long, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile enters the room. He comes lished in 2009, which has set itself the task of ad- from the Middle East and hasn’t been in Germany vising refugees. Amongst its offerings is a long. He can’t speak much German, and Natalie consultation hour. “Because of limitations to health and Elena can’t speak Arabic. It quickly becomes want to help people,” says Elena. And – with care provision for refugees in Bavaria, if nothing clear that they need a translator. A short time later, Die Mischung macht´s “ a slight accent revealing her Russian roots – else there needs to be such a consultation hour,” one of the Asylum Café supervisors joins them. Ishe continues: “This is the same reason why says Natalie, “In Bavaria, refugees can receive reg- She speaks a little Arabic, and asks on behalf of Planung+Beratung+Kontakte=Perspektiven I wanted to study medicine.” Her fellow student, ular health insurance only after 13 months.” Before the two students what the problem is. At first rath- the psychology student Natalie, nods in agree- this, they need a health certificate from the social er reserved, the man gradually opens up, and be- ment, adding, “Many of us want to do something welfare office and – even then – some treatment is gins to tell them why he has come. An unpleasant practical during our studies. For me, this is also still not included. Also, no chronic diseases are in- injury, which he has had for some time, followed something political. I would like to do something to cluded, but only acute pain or fatal diseases. Ref- by a misdiagnosis, now means he requires an op- counter the racist tendencies in our society.” ugees looking for help and advice come to our eration. It is above all the language barriers that Tel: 0800 4 5555 00 consultation hours – either with questions and bu- make it difficult for the man to deal with the prob- Natalie and Elena help refugees in their spare time reaucratic hurdles to be crossed, or if they are lem. In the end, Natalie and Elena help by provid- by getting involved in the FAU Medicine and Hu- looking for an interpreter or a doctor who speaks ing him with an interpreter for his next visit to a

man Rights group. This is a student group, estab- the respective national language. doctor to get a second opinion. / aiji www.shutterstock.com Image:

18 frisch! an der FAU Juli 2017 19

Publication name: FAU_Erlangen generated: 2018-03-15T08:43:56+01:00 #cafeteria #living #semesterticket Almost as good as ho me For many new students, starting at university means leaving home for the first time. While you may experience a few challenges, there’s no need to worry – Student Services is here to help.

The uni canteens are open five days a week. Student Services helps you with many matters – whether you are looking for a room or need help with financing your studies. Eating Accommodation somewhere to stay by the start of the semester, you can always stay in the local youth hostel until Student Services has six cafeterias in Erlangen Finding somewhere to live isn’t always easy, but you have your own accommodation. and Nuremberg that usually offer three meals each Student Services can help you with this too. It has lunchtime including one vegetarian option. There is student accommodation at 16 locations in Erlangen a vegan dish on offer once a week and fish is and Nuremberg with space for around 3,600 stu- Money served on Fridays. You can also find soup, sides dents. The newest addition is the housing area and a range of delicious desserts at the cafeterias. Campus Süd which will presumably be completed Student Services can also help you with financial There’s also a salad buffet for when you’re in need before the end of the year 2018. The advantages of questions. It provides advice on BAföG and is the of a vitamin fix. Despite the trend for healthy eat- student accommodation are that the rooms and place to submit applications. Simply contact the ing, the most popular items on the menu are still apartments are inexpensive and you are guaranteed Training Assistance Office at Student Services Erlan- chips and currywurst. Main meals are often availa- to meet a lot of your fellow students. Demand is high gen-Nürnberg, Hofmannstraße 27, Erlangen, phone: ble for under two euros for students. For the though, so you will need to apply early. You can ap- +49 9131 8002-900 or Andreij-Sacharow-Platz 1,

budget-conscious, a large portion of stew or the ply online through the Student Services website. Nuremberg, phone: +49 9131 8002 59. Studentenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg Images: Studentenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg; reiza/Shutterstock.com (top left); Images: David Hartfiel (top right) soup of the day and a bread role is available for just 1.20 euros. You can pay at all cafeterias and If you don’t get a place in student accommodation cafés with your FAUcard. And with regard to cof- or would like to live somewhere smaller, it’s worth fee: Student Services only sells fair-trade, organic checking the private accommodation on offer at coffee. the referral service, which has offices on the ground floor of the Studentenhaus at Lange- The best place to meet up in Nuremberg is the In- marckplatz 4 in Erlangen and at Andreij-Sacha- sel Schütt cafeteria in the city centre. In Erlangen, row-Platz in Nuremberg. You can also find the ad- the Langemarckplatz cafeteria has been renovat- dresses of student accommodation run by other ed two years ago and, as well as the standard caf- operators in the WERKsWeiser brochure (German) eteria meals, also has a grill and wok station, a and on the Student Services website. pizza/pasta and salad bar, and the new vitamin-rich, low-fat mensaVital menu. The cafeteria If you’re willing to spend a few hours of your free on the Southern Campus in Erlangen is also worth time volunteering, you might be interested in the a visit. There you will find a daily deals counter and Wohnen für Hilfe project. Students who take part an organic veggie point offering crunchy veg and help their landlord – a senior citizen or a family, for soup made from only organic ingredients. Informa- example – with shopping or gardening, help their tion on the cafeterias and menus is available on- children with their homework or walk their dog. In line. return, they are charged very low rent and often become good friends with their hosts. If you just need a little snack or want to take a coffee break, you can visit one of the 16 cafés. Various websites such as www.wg-gesucht.de or Here you will find sandwiches, cake, sweets and, www.nordbayern.de (German) are also a good of course, drinks. Some of the cafés are open in place to find accommodation. You can also con- the mornings for breakfast and have special offers tact the Mitwohnzentrale service or look out for the in the afternoons. There are also vending ma- many notices on the notice boards in the cafete- chines at various locations around the University rias, around the University and in student accom- where you can get something to eat when the caf- modation posted by people looking for flatmates. For small and large appetites – eterias and cafés are closed. The local daily newspapers also publish advertise- the Student Services’ canteens and the ‘Mensa’ at Erlanger Langemarckplatz. ments for accommodation, mostly on Wednes- days and Saturdays. If you are still unable to find

20 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 21 Transport Advice And much more Das Bayerische Landesamt für Mit einem abgeschlossenen Hochschulstudium (Diplom (FH), Once you have transferred your semester fees, If you have any legal issues, such as with your Student Services also provides music practice Steuern mit über 1.500 Bachelor) der Informatik, Wirtschafts- oder Verwaltungs- you can print your semester ticket for the VGN net- landlord, the Examinations Office or your employ- rooms and offers assistance to students who want informatik oder in vergleichbaren Studiengängen finden Sie an Beschäftigten ist die Mittelbehörde work. This allows you to travel throughout the en- er, you can make use of Student Services’ legal to organise their own cultural events. At the unseren Dienststellen in München und Nürnberg tire VGN network area between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. advice service which is free of charge. The psy- Musenhäppchen, which take place twice a se- der Bayerischen Steuer- abwechslungsreiche, zukunftsorientierte und verantwortungsvolle on weekdays and all day at weekends – so why chological counselling service can help you with mester, student artists have the possibility to verwaltung zwischen dem Aufgaben in den Abteilungen: not take a trip to the water sports centre at the anxiety about examinations, conflict with your showcase their talents. In addition, Student Ser- Großer Brombachsee, go climbing in Fränkische partner, social anxiety and other personal issues. vices supports students with children through four Bayerischen Staatsministerium der uKI 1 Schweiz, or do a bit of sightseeing in Bamberg? The social counselling service provides advice on day care facilities in Erlangen and Nuremberg, one Bayerisches Finanzen, für Landesentwicklung Anwendungsentwicklung (z.B. ELSTER) You also have the option to buy an additional ticket topics such as studying as a parent or with a dis- of them in cooperation with a parent association, Landesamt each semester which allows you to travel at any ability or chronic illness. and a parent and child café at the campus on Re- und Heimat und den für Steuern IuK 2 time of day. gensburger Straße in Nuremberg. Children with at Finanzämtern. Ein Teilbereich des zentrale Aufgaben - Personal,Haushalt, Testcenter, least one parent who is enrolled at the University Verfahrensbetreuung,/- management, Bürokommunikation can receive a special card for free meals at the caf- Bayerischen Landesamts für eterias on request. ❰❰ IuK 3 Steuern ist der Bereich www.werkswelt.de (German) Rechenzentrum, Logistik, IT-Sicherheit, Netz- Information und Kommunikation Management, Betriebstechnik. (IuK). Zu seinen wesentlichen Are you having problems with your boss Das Bayerische Landesamt für Steuern bietet leistungsorientierte or your landlord? The legal advice service Aufgaben zählen die Entwicklung Bezahlung, Sicherheit, flexible Arbeitszeit, gute Aufstiegschancen, can help you deal with legal disputes. der deutschlandweit eingesetzten gutes Betriebsklima und kollegialen Zusammenhalt sowie gute Software der Steuerverwaltung Aus- und Fortbildungsmöglichkeiten. sowie die ressortübergreifende Wir freuen uns über Ihre In allen Bereichen besteht die Möglichkeit der späteren Verbeam- technische Dienstleistung für Initiativbewerbung an die tung. Weitere Informati onen und aktuelle Stellenangebote finden zahlreiche Behörden und E-Mail-Adresse Sie auf unserer Homepage (http://www.finanzamt.bayern.de/LfSt) Institutionen in Bayern. [email protected] unter der Rubrik „Job und Karriere“.

Now you’re cooking!

Chili con carne is one of the big hits in the canteens in Erlangen and Nuremberg. This reci- pe – from the head of university catering Mathias M. Meyer – is also perfect for a party. It easily feeds no less than 30 people.

Method: Heat the oil in a big pot (approx. 15 litres, or several pots that add up to 15 litres) and add the mince. Stir continuously until evenly browned. Add the peeled and chopped onions, Studierendenservice and fry with the mince. Then add the herbs and spices, garlic (peeled and cut into thin slices) and chilies (cut into small rings). Pour in the stock and allow it to reduce a bit. Then add the tomatoes, the drained beans and the sweetcorn (if using). Cook for around ten minutes and season with the herbs and spices. Your chili con carne will be extra tasty if you let it stand overnight and then heat it up the next day. That way the garlic, chilies, Alexey Laputin/shutterstock.com (background); Igor Dutina/shutterstock.com (bottom) Viorel Sima/shutterstock.com (top); Images: Gut versichert im Studium herbs, and spices will really have time to develop their flavour. Divide the chili into bowls and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve with ciabatta, flatbreads, tortillas or nachos. Wir machen Dich ﬁ t für Deinen Erfolg. Lass Dich beraten! AOK Studierenden-Service Erlangen, [email protected] Tip: Don’t rub your eyes after handling fresh chilies. It burns like crazy, even after you’ve AOK Studierenden-Service Nürnberg, [email protected] washed your hands. www.aok.de/bayern Guten Appetit, and enjoy the party!

22 frisch! an der FAU #law #competition #likeareallawyer

Beste At court in Vienna colourbox.de (top); Lena Kübler (bottom left); Christopher Ohnesorge right) Images: What would it be like to negotiate a case before an international arbitration panel? In a Moot Court – a fictitious court case – FAU law students competed with others from around the world to deliver the most successful pleas. Perspektiven!

omina and Christopher’s eyes glow when Friend or foe? they talk about their experiences of the last After six months came the moment of truth. To- Even though it didn’t count in the overall ranking, Rsix months – working through the night, the gether with their well-prepared pleas, their hours- there was a special distinction: both pleas of the countless pages of legal texts and litres of coffee, long-practiced arguments, Christopher and Romi- FAU team for the plaintiff and the defence were | Wirtschaftsinformatiker | Softwareentwickler the hour-long plea recordings, and the difficulties na and their team in Vienna presented before their among the 25 best participants, which is rare. of preparing a plea in English. Despite this, they opposing teams and the jury. “In plea bargaining, “Personally,” says Christopher, “I’ve learned a lot, | Web-Developer | Fachinformatiker also tell of visits to major chanceries, deepening one must be prepared not only for the opponent, not only for my studies, but also for my future ca- friendships, a great team spirit, and the warm feel- but also for the jury, to ask questions which are reer. In addition, I have had the chance to make | Systemadministratoren | IT-Supporter ing of having taken part. Romina and Christopher more related to the legal background. Of course, many new contacts. I can recommend the Vis | Software-Tester study law at FAU and took part in the ‘Willem C. they are testing you,” Romina says. “Then it is im- Moot to all law students – it is worth it. ❰❰ bo Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot’. portant to remain calm and composed.” www.zr2.jura.fau.de/vis-moot (German) | m/w This is a competition in which students from all over the world negotiate a fictional economic dis- pute before an international jury of attorneys, judg- Bleiben Sie anspruchsvoll – vor allem bei Ihrer Jobwahl. es and lawyers – in English. Taking place in Vienna, 311 teams from 67 countries participated.

Working hard for the court berg-it öffnet Ihnen die Türen zu den spannendsten Projekten und den A Moot Court works like this: first, each team re- interessantesten Unternehmen in der IT-Welt. Lassen Sie uns gemeinsam ceives a disputed case to argue. To do so, the teams first have to draft two pleas – one for the Ihre Karriere planen – und sprechen Sie uns an: 0911-580 689-0! plaintiff, one for the defence – before the case is tried by a pretend arbitration panel. No easy task. “Our case concerned international purchasing law to be negotiated according to Vienna arbitration rules, a flexible arrangement for out-of-court set- tlements,” Christopher explains. Even before going to Vienna, the FAU team had the opportunity to Find us on facebook plead their case in several training situations, among others, in large chanceries in Amsterdam and Belgrade against opponents from Cambridge and Bratislava. “As a result, we kept refining our strategy, and the feedback from our instructors Before leaving for Vienna, Romina and Christopher was extremely helpful. They really supported us, practised with the FAU team in pre-court training to refine especially in the formulation of our pleas,” says their legal strategy ever further. berg-it projektdienstleistungen GmbH | Äußere Sulzbacher Straße 16 | 90489 Nürnberg Romina. Tel.: 0911-580 689 - 0 | Email: [email protected] | www.berg-it-gmbh.de

24 frisch! an der FAU #money #scholarship #moneymakestheworldgoround All about the money If you sort out your finances early on, you’ll free yourself up

to have fun while you study.

The traditional way: BAföG funding Exam results aren’t everything

BAföG is an abbreviation of Bundesausbildungs- If your BAföG application doesn’t work out, you förderungsgesetz (Federal Education and Training can try applying for a scholarship from foundations Assistance Act). In order to receive BAföG funding, or from organisations that fund gifted students. In you have to first file an application either online or these cases, you must have an exceptional aca- in person at the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung demic record and it usually has to be evaluated (Training Assistance Office). All the information you and approved by two university lecturers. need is available at www.bafoeg-bayern.de. Money is provided by the State on a monthly basis However, many foundations are not so much look- to those who are eligible, generally for the whole of ing for young geniuses as for candidates who can the standard duration of the degree programme. commit to something and are willing to accept re- However, you should remember to submit a re- sponsibility and get involved. Running a youth peat application (Weiterförderungsantrag) on or group in a sports club is just one example of this. before 31 January or 31 July respectively. The maximum amount available at present is 735 eu- Aside from the large religious, state and political ros a month. Whether you are entitled to BAföG foundations, Germany also has many organisa- and how much you will receive depends on sever- tions and private foundations that focus on very al factors: For example, where you are from, specific groups – such as students of particular where you live, your income and assets and the subjects. In addition, FAU offers a variety of one-off income of your parents. It’s definitely worth finding grants such as book grants. Visit the Office for out about! The Training Assistance Office is happy Scholarships to find out what options are available to give you advice on all issues relating to BAföG. to you.

Information on BAföG Admissions Office and Office for www.bafög.de (German) Scholarships Halbmondstraße 6, Room 0.047, Erlangen Amt für Ausbildungsförderung Phone: +49 9131 85 24075 Hofmannstrasse 27, Erlangen Phone: +49 9131 8002900 Andreij-Sacharow-Platz 1, Nuremberg Go global, not broke Phone: +49 9131 800259 www.werkswelt.de If you need a little cash injection for your semester abroad, you can apply for an Auslands-BAföG or for funding from the EU’s Erasmus+ programme. 50/50 with the Germany scholarship Scholarships that allow you to support yourself while abroad are available from the German Aca- The Germany Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendi- demic Exchange Service (DAAD). Many FAU insti- um) offers FAU students a special kind of support. tutes have partnerships with foreign universities The funding totals €300 per month and is initially and organise student exchanges to places such granted for two semesters (the winter semester as Rennes, Riga, Parma, and Tokyo. Whichever Financing your studies and the following summer semester). It can be ex- funding route you want to take, your first stop won’t get you down tended annually at the end of each subsequent should be the Central Office for International Af- winter semester until the end of the standard du- fairs. If everything goes according to plan, you’ll be if you know where to AU’s Student Advice and Career Service is an ration of the student’s degree programme. The jetting off before you know it. look for sources of important port of call for any questions relat- German government provides half of the money, Fing to student financing. You can get informa- and the rest comes from businesses, foundations Central Office for International Affairs funding. tion about BAföG funding and find out how to ap- or private individuals. The scholarships are pri- Helmstraße 1, Entrance A, Erlangen ply for scholarships and study grants. marily awarded on the basis of academic perfor- E-mail: [email protected] mance. Applicants for undergraduate degrees www.fau.eu/international Student Advice and Career Service must have achieved at least a 2.0 in their school Halbmondstraße 6, Room 0.021, Erlangen leaving exams. Tel.: +49 9131 85 23333 or 24444 www.ibz.fau.eu The team for the Germany scholarship [email protected] Images: David Hartfiel; Münzen: Epsicons/shutterstock.com David Hartfiel; Münzen: Images: www.fau.info/deutschlandstipendium

26 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 27 #funklust #campusmedia #radio #video Not just for media types

Researching, producing, moderating: at funklust, the FAU campus media station, students make professional radio and television – away from the mainstream. phones. Today, she is the sound master and is teresting artists in interviews like this.” Producing atre before, but film always interested me. At responsible for the quality of the recording – in an videos is not just about making great recordings funklust, I can learn a lot about cinematic crafts- interview this is particularly important, as nothing on the spot or conducting interviews. Extensive manship, try different things, whether sound or can be re-recorded later. The three are producing preparatory research as well as the post-pro- camera or cut”, Lotta explains, while she and her ost of the offices are already in the dark as and news on the current university policy and camera on his shoulder. With this one, he later a video for the funklust YouTube channel. cessing of the recorded image material take up fellow students pack up the film equipment to cut Lea and Verena arrive at their studio. The cultural events around Nuremberg-Fürth-Erlangen. films from different perspectives. Anna is sitting on most of the time. There is certainly a lot to learn. the recordings for the YouTube channel in the Mlights on the mixing console begin to glow one of the armchairs and prepares everything for “I like to spend my free time here, as I am a media In order to get to grips with the multitude of tech- media studio in the afternoon. The video must go multi-coloured, on the monitors are different sym- Buddy programme and beginners’ seminars an interview with the bass player of the band ‘A scientist, working especially with image media,” nical aids, there are beginners’ seminars and online the following day! ❰❰ bo bols, buttons, and a list of songs they will play to- “With us, you can get creative without the pressure Tale of Golden Keys’. Lotta looks after the micro- Dominik explains. “You can also get to know in- buddies that will help you. “I’ve done a lot of the- www.funklust.de (German) day. The two female students produce radio at of evaluation,” says Lea from funklust radio. In a funklust, FAU’s campus media station. To do so, buddy programme, those who have been around they research topics, edit the copy, and produce for a long time take care of newcomers, and show segments for their programmes. To fill the two- them what to do. In addition, there are workshops hour radio broadcast, the moderators also receive and seminars to share basic knowledge about contributions from other student editors. “A lot of production and editorial skills. “Beginners learn work goes into every segment. After all, we have about working as a journalist and how to get the high journalistic standards to meet,” Lea explains. best out of the technology,” says Lea. Anyone can join in – even if you don’t necessarily plan to work At the same time, it’s also great fun. “This is a in the media. Simply send a Facebook private somewhat unusual leisure activity for a Monday message or an e-mail to funklust to observe at one Is the sound setting correct? evening! I like to introduce others to the things that of the editorial sessions. “The radio studio doesn‘t FAU students learn how to create I like myself. That’s why I do this,” says the Ameri- need to shy away from comparison with the large can Studies student, Verena, who has her own public or private broadcast stations. The equip- professional video content programme besides the Monday evening show. ment is similarly high-quality and modern,” says This is one of funklust’s many peculiarities. Anyone Verena. It is then broadcast by stream, and some at funklust campus media. – not just media types – can participate, prepare of the regular broadcasts are also transmitted via topics, and produce shows according to their the local radio station, afk max. However, funklust personal interests. In doing so, a programme is isn’t just radio but also TV. created, which falls outside of the mainstream – especially regarding music selection. Anything can Creative web TV be played, regardless of whether it is heard in the Noon at ‘Wort und Klang’, a typical student pub in radio charts. Students want to reach their fellow Erlangen. Two cameras on tripods are focused on students, which is why there are also programmes two armchairs and a table. Dominik carries a third

Attention recording: Lea (left) and Verena moderate the Monday evening show on funklust radio.

The radio studio at the Fraunhofer Institute. Images: Boris Mijat; TV: colourbox.de TV: Boris Mijat; Images: Images: Boris Mijat; funklust (bottom right) Images:

28 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 29 #languagecourses #international #UNIcert #self-studycentre

for the world Fit UNSER NETZWERK GanzWhether gleich, you obwant du to„Allerweltssprac learn the usual hen“suspects wie likeEnglisch, English, Französisch French and und Spanish, Spanisch or areoder more doch interested lieber Arabisch, in FÜR IHRE KARRIERE. Arabic, KoreanischKorean or Finnish, oder Ukrainisch the Language lernen Centre möchtest: Im Angebot desis sure Sprachenzentrums to have the right ist course garantiert for you. Wir unterstützen Sie persönlich bei der Suche nach einem neuen Job – in Erlangen und Umgebung sowie in mehr als 90 Niederlassungen in Deutschland. Vertrauen Sie auf einen der führenden Personaldienstleister! Starten Sie gemeinsam mit uns in Ihre beruﬂiche Zukunft.

» www.hofmann.info

abroad in South Korea. I’m planning to spend six JOBS months studying in Beijing in the autumn, and I’d I. K. Hofmann GmbH · Erlangen 2 like to at least have mastered a few everyday phrases by then.” Daniel, on the other hand, is in- Schuhstraße 1 · 91052 Erlangen terested in Eastern Europe and is learning Rus- Tel. 09131-887980 · [email protected] sian: “I want to be able to read newspaper articles and understand political speeches in the original language.”

Multilingual professionals For some languages (e.g. English, Spanish and French), the Language Centre also offers courses that allow, for instance, lawyers, doctors, economists and engineers to acquire specific linguistic tools for their career. Monika is supplementing her Life Science Engineering degree with courses in English and Swedish: “As an engineer, I’ll go abroad for a few years and I need to be able to speak the language.”

As proof of their language skills, Language Centre students can earn the UNIcert© certificate, which is available in four levels from beginner to ad- vanced. UNIcert© guarantees high-quality foreign language tuition and is recognised throughout Germany. As well as conventional language classes, the Language Centre also offers scope for in- IMMER EINE SPUR VORAUS! Ever dream of travelling the world? Whether you dependent learning. You can use the self-study want to do it as a backpacker or an executive, centre to practice your listening skills, pronuncia- foreign language skills will make life easier for you. tion and vocabulary. And if you’re really ambitious, Wir suchen helle Köpfe für intelligente Autos. you can spend your semester break taking an in- Gemeinsam bringen wir mehr Fahrspaß und Sicherheit ins Auto. tensive course made up of all-day sessions that ith over 500 seminars in 28 different lan- studying something other than languages and are cover a semester’s worth of material in a few Du bist autobegeistert und willst Deine Ideen einbringen? guages per semester, the Language Cen- doing the course alongside their degree or as a weeks. Or you could take an online language W tre has something for everyone. If you’re core skill. Many of them want to acquire language course that allows you to study when it suits you Dann komm ins Team! studying languages, preparing for a semester skills in addition to their actual degree so that they and then practice what you’ve learnt in face-to- abroad, looking for an additional qualification for a have better chances of getting a job later on.” face sessions. Whatever course you’re interested www.efs-auto.com/karriere future job, or are just interested in foreign languages in, you’ll need to register in good time. If you want and countries, this is the place to come. Karin is one such student. She is studying medi- to take a course that requires prior knowledge, cine and has already taken Language Centre you’ll have to sit an assessment test. “Around 10,000 students use the Language Cen- courses in Spanish, English, French and Portu- tre’s services every semester,” says Dr Gunter guese. “As a doctor, you need to be able to speak In many cases, as well as being desirable for your Lorenz, who runs the centre. “As well as learning other languages. I’ve often come into contact with studies, language skills are also compulsory under the language, our students also learn a lot about patients who have a migration background,” she exam regulations. Find out about your situation in the country and the people. The accounts are first- says. Götz is studying for a degree in International good time, or ask your subject advisor about when hand because most of our teachers are native Business Studies. language courses would fit in best with your de- Ein Joint Venture der GIGATRONIK-Gruppe speakers of the language they teach. Over half of He’s learning English, Korean and Chinese. “I’ve gree. ❰❰ und der Audi Electronics Venture GmbH

the students taking Language Centre courses are been learning Korean since I spent a semester www.sz.fau.de (German) David Hartfiel Image:

30 frisch! an der FAU #orientation #GOS #introduction #stuve #fsi #fsv #universitypolicymaking Ready, steady, uni!

Ingwer admits Whether it’s brushing up on school subjects, that university policymaking is getting your first insights into academic working methods or fairly complicated, but he really enjoys just familiarising yourself with the university, being involved. FAU has lots of ways to help you get off to a great start with your course. The frisch! crash course

ou get to know people and the University important points of contact at FAU – like the Stu- time looking for information in the future.” All in all, “ quickly. You also learn how FAU’s adminis- dent Service Centre, the Computer Centre Alexander, Janina and Sarah agree that the GOS Ytration and structure work. Plus, I now (RRZE), and the places we should go to with spe- course was a great start to their studies. ❰❰ fs/kp know how to earn ECTS credits,” says Alexander, cific problems. That will definitely save me a lot of www.fau.info/introduction-events in university policymaking one of the thousands of new students at FAU. He is in his first semester of a course in English and American Studies and Theatre and Media Studies. Along with Janina (Theatre and Media Studies and Janina, Alexander Education) and Sarah (Art History and Book Studies), and Sarah (from left) he began going to university every day before met during the If you want to change something, go into politics. That also applies when you’re at university. teaching even started. They attended the GOS pre-semester GOS orientation course (Grundlagen- und Orientie- orientation course at FAU. As a student, you can make your voice heard in many areas – rungsstudium) that the Faculty of Humanities, So- cial Sciences, and Theology runs for its first-year like Ingwer Andersen does. students every October. This compact, one-week course equips participants with the skills they well-prepared, quite a lot. Most people at FAU are We’ve got a department or a working group for need for university so that they can do academic won over by sensible arguments. almost every topic. AntiDisRa (a department work, prepare for exams, write essays, give pres- against racism and discrimination), IT, environ- entations, etc. The teachers also introduce FAU How are the students’ representatives (Stud- ment, and the semester ticket are just a few exam- and answer questions about how courses are or- ierendenvertretungen, or Stuve for short) ples of many. ganised. elected? You’re active in university policymaking. They’re elected during the university elections Which groups are especially helpful for first- The other faculties offer their own versions of the What does that involve? which are held every year in the summer semester. year students? GOS course. These include revision courses, pre- I suppose like almost everyone who’s active in this Anyone who is enrolled at FAU can add their name None of the groups require or expect prior knowl- paratory and refresher courses in subjects such as area, I try to improve conditions for students at to an electoral list, or submit one themselves. Each edge of the topic. To get a good overview of the chemistry and maths, general introductory ses- FAU. At the moment, I’m a member of the Senate. faculty elects its own student council (Fach- opportunities at FAU, attend a meeting of your stu- sions for individual subjects, and the mentoring The Senate is made up of representatives of all schaftsvertretung, FSV) which deals with all the dent council or initiative. If you make it clear that programme from the School of Business and Eco- stakeholder groups – in other words, students, concerns that relate to the faculty. The councils you’re new, they’ll look after you well. ❰❰ kp nomics. But as varied as the courses are, they all employees and professors – who reach universi- elect the university-wide representatives for the have one thing in common: they are about helping ty-wide decisions on examination regulations. We students’ representatives governing board (stu- first-year students get off to a successful start with also discuss setting up, changing and discontinu- dentischer Konvent). their studies. ing degree programmes. As a student senator, I’m ❉ also automatically a member of the Speakers’ What are the biggest issues for you at the FSI/FSV Better together Council. We meet once a week to discuss all stu- moment? Janina and Sarah agree that the GOS course dent concerns. At the start of every semester, we negotiate the Almost every degree programme has a student asso- achieved this aim. Aside from the factual content price of the semester ticket with the Nuremberg ciation (Fachschaftsinitiative, FSI). They advise on all of the introductory sessions, the informal get-to- How can students get involved in university transport authority (VGN). Also, the Bavarian state matters that benefit the degree programme. In addi- gethers (Fachstammtische) allowed them to meet policymaking, and what kind of things can parliament is currently working on an amended tion, each faculty elects its own student council many of the students with whom they’ll be spend- they achieve by doing so? version of the Higher Education Act (Hochschulge- (Fachschaftsvertretung, FSV). A detailed list of FSI’s ing the next few years. “It helped me get to know a Almost every decision at this university has to be setz). The new version will be in place for many and student council members and answers to a num- lot of new people even before classes started. I felt made by a committee. And since every committee years, so we’re paying very close attention to the ber of questions about studying can be found on the very comfortable very quickly,” says Janina. has to include at least one student representative process. website of the students’ representatives: in an advisory capacity, there are lots of opportuni- www.stuve.fau.de (German) Sarah is also glad she attended the GOS course: ties to get involved in the daily life of the university. What working groups or departments do you

“We were given lots of information about the most colourbox.de (top); Franziska Sponsel (right) Images: Georg Pöhlein Image: What can you actually achieve there? If you’re have for the student representatives?

32 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 33 #dates #calendar The frisch! annual planner, 2018/19 Want to make the most of your student life and still do well on your course? To help you stay on top of everything from parties to your final exams, we here at frisch! have made a list of the most important dates for your diary.

Course registration Sept./Oct. The first-year students’ Language Centre: The Language Centre helps you spruce up your foreign language skills. You can register welcome event gives you an insight for courses here: www.sprachkurse.uni-erlangen.de (German) into everything FAU has to offer – Sport: If you want to stay in shape while at FAU, we recommend checking out what’s on offer from Hochschul- from sports courses to student sport, the university sports service. If you want to sign up for something online, you need to be fast because initiatives. the courses can fill up really quickly. www.hochschulsport.fau.de (German) 15 October Teaching begins 18 October First-year students’ welcome event FAU‘s official welcome will take place in the Heinrich-Lades-Halle in Erlangen. This is your chance to get an overview of everything on offer at the University – from sports courses to the many student groups. Plus, FAU will give all new students the popular FAU messenger bag. www.fau.info/welcome-event 4 November Dies academicus Happy birthday, FAU! The University was founded on this day in 1743, so we’re having an academic holiday to celebrate. www.275.fau.eu A wild mash-up of rock, pop, 22 December to 6 January jazz and classical music: the music-education Christmas holidays students’ concert. You’re free to party as much as you like, laze around and do nothing, or hit the slopes for some skiing – there’s no teaching during the winter break. But don’t forget that institutions like the Examination Office and the Student Advice and Career Service are also closed, and that the libraries have shorter opening hours.

End of January Concert by the music-education students Four-part harmonies on watering cans, and bike tyres played like the flute are just some of the things you can expect from the annual concert by the music-education students. The concert, nicknamed Stuko (Studentenkonzert) in German, is held on one of the last Thursdays of the teaching period in both the winter and summer semesters. This year’s date will be posted here: www.musik.ewf.fau.de (German) 1 to 8 February Don’t forget to re-register! The Student Records Office will send a reminder to your university e-mail address. You’ll need to transfer your semester fee before the end of re-registration week.

Images from top to bottom: FAU/Franziska Sponsel; FAU/Georg Pöhlein; Professur für Musikpädagogik; ©panthermedia.net/Alexander Kulla; Georg Pöhlein; Berny Meyer

The Berg www.fau.info/university-ball 2 February University Ball (or Berch, as the locals say) is an Erlangen institution. 9 February Teaching ends 7 March Long Night of Postponed Assignments

March/April Course registration (see entry for September) 23 April Teaching begins

6 to 17 June Bergkirchweih beer festival Every year at Whitsun, Europe’s biggest beer garden opens on the Berg in Erlangen. FAU used to have a one-week ‘Berg holiday’ during the beer festival because it was impossible to run the University properly with drunken students all over the place. The holiday was officially abolished in 1999.

29 June Schlossgartenfest Every year on the last Saturday in June, around 6,500 guests gather in Erlangen’s Schlossgarten for a ball. You can give your suit or ball dress a second outing six months later, when FAU joins other universities from the region for the University Ball in the Meistersingerhalle in Nuremberg. Student tickets at a reduced price are available for both events: www.fau.info/schlossgartenfest-english

June University elections Once a year, FAU students elect their representatives for the student councils and the student If you want to show off assembly. The elected students will then act as a mouthpiece for the issues that affect you. what you learned in dance class, the Schlossgartenfest is the place to do it. End of June Concert by the music-education students (see entry for end of January) If you’re into music festivals, don’t miss the Bardentreffen Beginning of July in Nuremberg’s old town. Don’t forget to re-register! (see entry for February)

26 to 28 July Nuremberg Bardentreffen Every year in late July, singer-songwriters and bands from all over the world gather in Nurem- berg’s old town for the Bardentreffen. This live music festival is unusual because, as well as the official bands, anyone who feels the urge is welcome to get up on the stage and perform in the old town. And the best part is that entry is free of charge. Sedit laut alici te ni pra pelenditamus cullor re, offictur? Quid 27 July Teaching ends mos unt. Ventota tinver #iGEM #NatFak #competition #studentlife Robotic muscles from the test tube

Studying is just dull theory? Think again! At FAU students carry out independent research into synthetic biology – and take part annually in an international competition.

Although it might not look like it, the FAU team are building artificial muscles (right) from the white solid particles in the small vials. In the magnetic stirrer, several samples can be mixed simultaneously (top). In this case, the rotary evaporator is used to clean the water. While the purified water is being collected, unwanted solids remain in the cooler (below left). The FAU team observes Tina and Leonard at work under the laboratory ventilator (below right).

Two approaches, one goal lacked the practical experience to prove that it of scientists, they also have to arrange funding for The FAU team followed two approaches for de- does actually work in practice. the entire project independently and are respon- rtificial muscles that react to light. Science veloping artificial muscles. In robotics, research- The iGEM team at FAU is currently working on sible for their own marketing. fiction? Not for Tina and Leonard. Re- ers are currently investigating molecular com- their project for 2018. The students aim to en- Bearing this in mind, students of the humanities Asearch into artificial muscles is an area pounds which translate electronic impulses into hance surface structures, the so-called S-layer, can also have a valuable contribution to make, where robotics meets medicine. As part of the mechanical work, for example expanding. ‘Our found for example in the cell walls of bacteria. not just scientists. ‘Students from the humanities FAU team, Tina and Leonard have created mus- aim was to replace the polymers which are cur- The students intend to use the properties of sur- have been suggesting completely new ways of cles from biological tissue – and taken their idea rently used with biological tissue,’ explains Leon- face structures to bind different enzymes. The dealing with publicity which we hadn’t thought to the iGEM competition. The name iGEM stands ard, who is studying molecular science. enzymes are attracted to one another and the of,’ explains Franziska. One of the criteria for the for ‘International Genetically Engineered Machine’ In chemistry, researchers are investigating how interim product is produced quicker. Chemical iGEM competition is to make the most of the var- and is an international student competition in the polymers can be combined with macromole- reactions can be accelerated in this way. ‘The ious options offered by modern public relations or area of synthetic biology. The results of the ambi- cules, so-called molecular machines, in such a process can be used to split household sugar su- visit schools and present the project pitched at a tious projects are showcased at MIT in Boston way as to enable the resulting tissue to contract crose into fructose and glucose,’ reports team level suitable for schoolchildren. This is where the and prizes are awarded for the best entry. One in reaction to light impulses. The FAU students member Franziska. team can draw on the knowledge of the team unusual feature of the FAU team is that it includes are focusing on using biological material here too. members who are studying media sciences or students from the humanities, not just science or ‘With their different ways of contracting, both All talents are welcome. computer sciences. The iGEM competition has a engineering. A team from FAU has risen to the types of tissue have a lot of potential for being Students from all faculties can take part in iGEM, strong focus on interdisciplinary working and challenge of the competition for four years now – used as artificial muscles,’ explains biology stu- as developing new biological material is only the teamwork. ❰❰ bo with considerable success. The team has won a dent Tina. The team’s project was successful in start of the iGEM competition. The teams who Tina and Leonard need the green-brown liquid silver medal twice, the last time in 2017 with arti- Boston. They were able to prove that their con- travel to Boston at the end of the year not only Facebook: www.facebook.com/igemErlangen/ to build artificial muscles.

ficial muscles made of biological tissue. cept would work in theory. Unfortunately, they have to present the results of the project to a jury Mijat (page 36 above and left) Erich Malter; FAU/Boris Images: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iGEM_Erlangen

36 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 37 #semesterabroad #internationals #RIA #buddies

Daniel (23) spent a semester Let’sNix wie get weg! out of here studying in Limerick in Ireland: Before my semester abroad, I was always afraid of the organisation. I thought it would be too much work, too SchlussGot itchy mit feet? der Then Stubenhockerei: head out and Reisen see the ist world! das beste Travelling Rezept is gegenthe best cure much stress, and too complicated. Then I decided pretty suddenly to give it a try after all. I just took it one Fernwehfor wanderlust – und – ein and Auslandssemester, a semester abroad eine is agroßartige great opportunity Möglichkeit, ein fremdes Land step at a time. And it’s true, there was a lot to organise. But once you make a start, it’s really not so bad. Plus, to explore a newzu erkunden,country, learn eine a Sprache language, zu lernen, neue Kontakte zu knüpfen the staff at FAU’s International Office always helped me with any questions I had. I chose Ireland because I make und new die friendsKarrierechancen and improve zu verbessern.your career prospects. wanted to improve my English. I’m studying psychology, and you need to have good English if you want to work in this field in a large firm. In Limerick, I lived in a student village that was made up of individual houses AU has partnerships with around 500 universities worldwide, and with six students per house. Although I lived with many of them allow FAU students to study there for a semester or international students, I quickly made friends with Irish Fmore. If you want to spend a semester abroad, start planning early students from the neighbouring houses and through the because there’s a lot to consider. Contact FAU’s Central Office for Interna- student clubs. I joined the outdoor pursuits club, and tional Affairs to find out more. The staff there can tell you all about study I’d go hiking with them at least once a week. With locations, exchange programmes, and funding. They can also give you hindsight, I can say that you shouldn’t let your own lots of practical tips that will prepare you well for the adventure ahead. worries put you off. Just get on and do it. You’ll have an www.fau.eu/international unforgettable experience.

Are you spending a semester or even your whole degree abroad at FAU? We’re delighted to have you here! Our buddies and FAU Volunteers for Internationals (see next page) will be happy to help you settle into your new home, however long you may be staying. www.fau.info/buddy-programme

The tin whistle accompanied Daniel on many hikes in Ireland. Images: Franziska Sponsel Images: Images: ponsulak/shutterstock.com (top); Franziska Sponsel (bottom) Images:

Geovane (24) is a buddy who Nelvia (23) is from Spain. helps international students find She’s spending a year at FAU their feet at FAU: on the Communications and Multimedia Engineering I came to study at FAU from Brazil because the Bachelor’s degree programme: University has a great reputation for Materials Science. I initially came as an exchange student for a year, to see if I liked it or not. When I registered, the Central Office I chose Germany for my semester abroad because the for International Affairs told me about the buddy teaching here is very good. I came across the FAU programme. I signed up right away. My buddy was a because it offers my degree programme, Communica- big help at the start. Obviously, you still have to do tions and Multimedia Engineering, in English. That was things yourself and find out information on your own, an important criterion for me, as I couldn’t speak any but some things just don’t occur to you. For instance, German at the time. At first, I really struggled with in Germany you have to register your address with the everything – like shopping in the supermarket – be- authorities at the Einwohnermeldeamt. We don’t have cause I couldn’t understand anything. But I gritted my that in Brazil. After that first year, I enrolled in a regular teeth and stuck at it, and I’m proud of that. And thanks degree programme. In my second semester, I to the German courses at the Language Centre, I can submitted another buddy application to the Internation- also get by in German now. To prepare for my year al Office – but this time on the other side of the here, I read up on German culture and customs. One equation. Since then, I’ve had buddies from countries thing I learnt was that Germans shake hands when they as diverse as Hungary and Colombia. I like meeting meet. So I was really surprised when my two future new people from different countries all the time. Aside flatmates hugged me when I arrived in Erlangen. It from helping them with the authorities, I think the most immediately made me feel welcome. Overall, though, important thing is to help them make friends – by it’s quite hard to get to know Germans. You have to be organising joint activities, like barbecues – so that they patient. I like living in Erlangen and studying at FAU so can quickly settle in and feel at home. I know I found it much that I want to stay longer. If everything goes really helpful to have a buddy when I was new at FAU! according to plan, I’ll do my Master’s at FAU. ❰❰ kp

Geovane likes exploring the countryside by bike, and often takes his buddies with him.

38 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 39 #volunteers #internationals #discoverfranconia Historic towns, regional culture – and a lot of fun Discover theFranconia Franconian and a vicinity lot more and besides, a lot more together together with with students the FAU from Volunteers abroad andfor Internationals FAU Volunteers and for international Internationals! students! The FAU The Volunteers FAU Volunteers for Internationals for Internationals group organisesorganize trips trips for internationalfor international students students at FAU at the – auniversity great opportunity – this could for yoube a to great get toopportunity know your for new you home toand get meet to know new yourpeople new at homethe same and time.to meet new people at the same time.

Hira likes to explore cities together with the FAU Volunteers for Internationals.

If you would like to learn something about Rothenburg’s legal past and you´re not afraid to investigate some medieval instruments of torture – then the Medieval El Mehdi especially enjoys meeting Crime and Justice Museum is the place to go. other students during the excursions.

he Marienburg fort is majestically set on a somebody on-site who makes sure that people Wohlfahrt, a shop that sells Christmas decora- cliff above the Franconian town of Würzburg make friends and have a good time in their new tions throughout the year. Tand offers a spectacular view of this historic country,” explains Christina, who has been ac- city and the Main river. Hira, who was born in Pa- tively involved with the FVIs since 2015. Having a El Mehdi from Morocco, who is a student in kistan and grew up in Saudi Arabia, studies for a good time is one of the group’s main objectives. the Master’s programme in Communication and Master of Arts in Physical Activity and Health at “Anyone can participate who wants to. Some in- Multimedia Engineering, also went to Rothen- FAU, and took part in a trip to Würzburg together ternational students have even become part of burg. He was impressed by the Medieval Crime with other international FAU students. After an the organising team. Actually, there are no fixed and Justice Museum, but what he liked most is informative city tour, including such famous sights positions. Anybody can contribute where he or the fact that he made contact with other stu- as the Residence or the cathedral, Hira and the she feels most comfortable. Of course, every- dents during the excursion: “I met a lot of new others climbed up the hill to the fortress and en- body can bring their own ideas to the table. We people. These acquaintances helped me to joyed the gorgeous view of the city. “I really ap- discuss them and try to realise as many activities settle in and find my way through German preciated the little anecdotes about the history as possible,” says Christina. Besides the trip to culture.” The German students who help to and people of Würzburg the tour guide told us in Würzburg, Hira has also taken part in other FVIs organise the excursions and take part in English”, Hira tells keenly. The trip was organised excursions. She tells us: “That’s how I discovered them also benefit from the mutual ex- by the FVIs, the FAU Volunteers for Internationals. many different places and their history, which is change, as Christina knows: “I most like great!” Hira also visited Rothenburg ob der Taub- meeting many people from different cul- The Volunteers are a group of students who put er, a medieval town to the West of Nuremberg. tural backgrounds during these excur- Rothenburg is a picturesque little town, their hearts and souls into organising ‘Sprach- Before Christmas, she ambled through the nar- sions. You also get to see your home famous for its half-timbered houses stammtische’ (regular meetings where people row lanes of the historic city together with the country from a completely different and its town-wall. can practice their language skills), parties, and other international students and was enchanted perspective.” ❰❰ cd hiking tours – in addition to the trips throughout by the Christmas markets’ romantic atmosphere. www.fau.info/fvi

the year. “It’s important and helpful that there is Of course, she made the obligatory visit to Käthe www.facebook.com/FVIerl (Pranger) T. d. Rothenburg o. Streckbank,); Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum, El Mehdi Lemnaouar (München, Images: Romain Charraus (Hira); El Mehdi Lemnaouar (Rothenburg) Images:

40 frisch! an der FAU MayJuli 20172018 41 #universityclubs #newhome #germanculture

- Las Américas, give you an insight into life in Germany. As a German - proverb says: “Sie wissen, wie der Hase hier läuft.” Literally, they know elcome to Germany, where probably everything is a bit differ “how the bunny runs here,” that is, they already know their way around. ent from your home country. In case you feel a bit over You’ll also find the most important information for a successful start www.fau.info/first-steps. And our freshman❰❰ kp magazine is available So you know whelmed starting your studies at FAU and life in Germany in here: W in English, too: www.fau.info/new-to-fau. general, we asked international students how things work around here: Chandana from India and Nikolas from Greece, who both study Medi- cal Engineering, and Javiera from Chile, who studies The Americas/

how the bunny runs! In Germany, many things are done differently than ‘back home’: no need for concern, though, with some advice from our experienced international students Nikolas you’ll find it easy to adapt to your new environment.

Don’t be afraid of bars

Bars in Germany are not necessarily what you think they are: a place to get drunk. On the contrary, bars in Germany are a great place to meet up. It’s the place the Join a university club! locals prefer to hang out in the evenings. In particular, the breweries leading to the ‘Berg’ area are a fun visit for At FAU, FSI (short for ‘Fachschaftsinitiativen’) are well known for helping students with any issues from everyone. It’s common to have group meetups at a bar exams, via lecture notes, to organising parties for meetups. They are student associations of a specific and being internationals, I recommend attending such subject. Additionally, there are many student initiatives to choose from, such as the FabLab, sports meetings to get to know fellow students. clubs, the ARENA … of the young ARTS, EcoCar, etc. In particular, FabLab is useful for repairing bikes together with volunteers to help out in case you need it. Look here for more information: https://stuve.uni-erlangen.de/hochschulgruppen-fsien (German) Lots to discover in your free time Ride your bike! FAU has a lot to offer, such as trips to neighbouring cities, beer hikes, screenings of football matches and movies. It is easier to go to different parts of Erlangen Every city has parks, cafés, beer gardens, pubs for hanging out with friends. The beer festival, known locally as the at your convenience by bike. Check ‘Suche/ ‘Berg’ in Erlangen, and Volksfest in Nuremberg are huge events which are a must to attend, and to try the different beers Biete’ on Facebook to learn about people brewed in the nearby areas and the authentic German food. You get to see the locals wearing dirndls and lederhosen selling their bikes at reasonable prices. and can enjoy the rides. There is a huge variety of street foods from different cuisines – which is great news for all you Bicycle auctions and flea markets are also foodies! Every weekend you can explore the market which sells fresh vegetables, fruits and a huge selection of cheese. good options to find a used bike. For repairs, use FabLab at the university. Here you can use the repair tools for free and fill up on air. You can also repair your bike for free at the E-Werk in Erlangen city centre. Learn German – it’s useful for everyday life Almost everyone speaks English in Germany. Key word: almost. In the small towns you might visit, or in some stores, not everyone is used to tourists, so I really recommend that people learn some German. It’s easier to move around train stations or supermarkets, too. Also, in restaurants some waiters or waitresses find it cute when you try and order food in German, and they’ll be extra helpful! The University offers free German courses every semester, at every level, and intensive courses over the Summer and Winter breaks as well. Although the intensive courses are not free, they’re worth every cent, as they Chandana enable you to spend several hours immersed in the language. Be aware of shop opening hours

Oh, the opening hours at the supermarkets … if you are hungry after 20:00 on a weekday, or ever run out of food on a Sunday, your best option is to go to the nearest gas Finding accommodation station and get a bag of crisps! Supermarkets close very early here in Bavaria, and every worker gets a sacred day of can be like a casting session rest on Sundays. I learned to deal with this by planning my weekly menu ahead. For example, I roughly plan that I’ll be You can choose from various types of student accommodation, such as eating pasta on Monday, chicken on Tuesday, salad on dorms, shared apartments and studio apartments. You need to apply for a Wednesday, and get everything I need in time. Also, the place in a dorm as they are subject to vacancy. The shared apartment freezer is now my best friend. I freeze my leftovers and scenario is quite different: it’s just like a casting session. While writing to get a vegetables – this might be useful if it’s 05:00 on a Friday room in a shared apartment with new people, be aware that they prefer night! Also: remember to take your own bags to the someone like them. So drop a message telling them about yourself, your supermarket, as you need to pay for the ones they offer! hobbies and interests. Later, when invited for a house visit – along with many other applicants – you can get in touch with the other residents. Brace yourself to make a good first impression and get a place! You can also have a good time with your future roomies. The website www.wg-gesucht.de helps you to find shared apartments where you can choose from wide options in different Grafik: www. shutterstock.com / Heru Condro Atmojo; Fotos: FAU/Katrin Piecha Atmojo; Fotos: shutterstock.com / Heru Condro www. Grafik: www.shutterstock.com/Heru Condro Atmojo (Hase); Images: FAU/Katrin Piecha FAU/Katrin Images: (Hase); Atmojo Condro www.shutterstock.com/Heru Javiera parts of the city depending on your budget.

42 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 43 #career #PhD #jobfair

Life after uni

To make sure the transition from uni to work is a nimble sprint rather than a torturous marathon, FAU has a range of services to help get you off to a flying start.

f you’re looking for advice on jobs and careers, Sharing experiences From campus to CEO FAU’s Career Service can provide guidance tai- Ilored to your individual needs. All you have to do You can benefit from the work experience of for- Do you have a cracking business idea and are you is make an appointment. mer students at our career meetups. Several times thinking about setting up your own company? If a semester, the FAU Alumni Management Team so, FAU can also give you expert support with The Career Service also holds regular talks and and the Career Service organise relaxed, informal these endeavours. Its start-up consultancy service workshops on everything to do with entering the meetings where graduates who are well estab- provides information on, for instance, the many fi- world of work. Some of them are especially de- lished in their careers offer insights into their daily nancing options available. In addition, the monthly signed for international students – here you can working lives and take questions from the audi- start-up café allows you to get together and talk learn what is important in a German application. ence. FAU holds career meetups for many different with like-minded people. Topics include how to have a successful interview occupational fields and specialisms. The programme www.fau.info/gruenderberatung (German) and do well at an assessment centre. You can also is available here: www.fau.eu/alumni/careers attend courses on project management, presentation methods, and much more. The full programme The road to a doctoral degree is available here: www.career.fau.eu. Online bulletin board Are you fascinated by numbers, formulae and Are you thinking about applying for an internship or Whether you want to start getting work experience equations? Do your eyes light up when two sub- a job and want to know how you can make your while you study or are just looking to earn some stances react with each other in the way you were documents stand out? Then why not sign up for extra cash, it’s a good idea to keep your eye on the expecting? Can you spend hours animatedly dis- one of our application-pack checks? Experienced university jobs noticeboard. FAU’s Stellenwerk cussing irregular verbs with your professor? Then consultants will give you tips for optimising your website advertises internships and part-time jobs. perhaps an academic career is just the thing for chances, including in interviews. It also posts calls for proposals for dissertations you. The first step on this road is a doctoral degree. and theses, and graduate vacancies. FAU’s Graduate Centre can tell you how to go Career Service www.stellenwerkfau.de (German) about earning one, and what you need to know as [email protected] a doctoral student. www.fau.eu/graduate-centre ❰❰ www.career.fau.eu

Whatever your career plans are, FAU can help you get off to a successful start in your chosen job. Image: David Hartfiel Image:

44 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 45 #equalopportunity #gender #diversity #family #singing #dancing #music Music to the ears

Are you a singer? Or do you play an instrument? Then come and find out what is on offer at FAU. No matter whether you have only given a great solo performance in your car or whether you have already performed in a concert – FAU offers a wide range of options for you to indulge your talent for music.

The Collegium Musicum is perfect for The Uni musical gives its own fans of classical music. slant to famous musicals such as Legally Blonde.

Removing

rom classical music to rock, from chamber Fchoir to musicals – take a look at the informa- obstacles tion provided by Erlanger Universitätsmusik and the ensembles coordinated by Music Education in Nuremberg to find the right group for you. FAU is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities The choirs, bands and orchestras at FAU offer something for all tastes, covering both modern when it comes to learning, research and personal development. The diversity of FAU’s members and classical genres. Fans of classical music, for example, can join the academic choir, the brass means that the University has a wealth of potential and opportunities at its disposal. ensemble or the Collegium Musicum (a symphony orchestra) in Erlangen or the chamber choir, symphony orchestra or various chamber groups in AU believes that no one should face obsta- for instance, promotes intercultural coexistence on tional skills. FAU’s Family Service can provide you Nuremberg. cles to studying because of their gender, so- campus and offers a wide range of services for with the support you need to master this chal- If you prefer ragtime, blues, rock or pop to Mo- Fcial background, migration background, age, students with a migration background. In addition, lenge. It can advise you on topics such as mater- zart, Beethoven or Bach you should look into the religion, sexual orientation, disabilities or family all students can train to be Diversity Scouts. You’ll nity protection, parental leave, parental benefit, JRP (Jazz Rock Pop) choir, the big bands or the situation. This is why it has facilities that will tell you start by learning about diversity in theory and in and part-time study. It can also help you arrange jazz or rock ensemble at the university. The high- about your options and remove obstacles from practice, and about the various advisory services, childcare, and runs a babysitting service and par- lights of every semester are the concerts. Whether your path. training schemes and support options that FAU ent-child gymnastics sessions. it’s a rock stage, a chamber music performance or offers its students. After that, you’ll be a contact the large university concert – the performances are One such facility is the Office of Equal Opportuni- for students who are starting their degrees, and In addition, FAU has set up feeding and nap- the reward for the many gruelling hours of practice. Keen singers can join the university choir. ties, which is tasked with ensuring equal opportu- will support them in many different situations both py-changing rooms so that parents can bring Would you like to not only perform but also im- nities for all members of the University. Its many in person and online. their children to university. The University Library prove your skills in singing or playing an instru- activities include providing advice on the types of has a parent-child room where the little ones can ment? Singing lessons are available for students of Curtain call support available for young female scientists within If you are experiencing discrimination or sexual play while Mum and Dad study. Students who are all subjects in Erlangen. At present, instrument You want to dance and prove your talent at act- watched the productions of Grease, Cats, Legally the framework of the target agreements between harassment, the Office of Equal Opportunities can caring for family members can also contact the lessons are also offered in piano, organ and violin. ing? Then the university musical is the right place Blonde or The Wiz. The university productions of- the executive board and the faculties and strength- offer you support in confidence. Family Service for comprehensive support and Rooms are available for anyone wanting to ‘make for you. Every two years, the Department of Music ten give their own interpretation to the world fa- ening gender and diversity skills. advice. ❰❰ some noise’, for example in the Orangery or Schal- Education and a professional director and techni- mous musicals. Auditions are open to all students Combining lectures and parenting www.gender-und-diversity.fau.de (German) lershofer Strasse 84 in Erlangen. These are a great cians transform FAU into Broadway. The student – even without any previous experience in music or The office’s Centre for Intercultural Contact and Ex- For young parents, studying when you have a child place to meet your fellow musicians if you prefer to musicals have already built up quite a reputation in dancing. ❰❰ Illustration: colourbox.de Illustration:

pertise (Kontakt- und Kompetenzstelle Interkultur), demands strong nerves and excellent organisa- colourbox.de Kurt Fuchs; illustration: bottom: Hans von Draminski, above right: Konrad Fischer, above left: Images: play in a group. the region. More than 16,000 people have www.musik.fau.de

46 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 47 #supercomputer #competition #studentlife #TechFak Super quick and super smart

ISC, SC, ASC, SCC – what are all these abbreviations? They stand for international competitions with high performance computers – and teams of students at FAU take part. The teams are provided with high-performance computers (HPC) to assemble and use to solve tasks. Images: Alexander Images: Ditter

SC and the ISC. ‘The USA is particularly keen for ‘Sometimes we go into the room on Friday evening the team to be as diverse as possible, with stu- and don’t come out again until Sunday afternoon,’ ore than 55 hours at one time, working dents from various backgrounds taking part,’ ex- reports Markus with a smile. through the day and night to build a super plains Lisa. For the Asian competition, the Asia The effort involved puts a lot of potential candi- Mcomputer, optimising performance tests Supercomputer Community (ASC), tasks have to dates off. But all four agree – the stress is worth it. and using scientific software relating to physics, be solved in advance. Benedikt says, ‘it is quite a It is unbelievable how much students learn during molecular biology or artificial intelligence. Only feat to be included in the 20 finalist teams.’ the competition itself. Teams also have the oppor- leaving the computer for a brief nap. And then, in tunity to attend exhibitions and presentations or the middle of the night, someone pulls the plug Friday in, Sunday out network during the evening programme and have and all the equipment is switched off. Anyone who Once the application is done, the semester break fun celebrating with students from throughout the didn’t make sufficient backups is faced with hours and the following weeks are extremely stressful. world. The Chair of Computer Science 3 (Comput- and hours of lost work. And that’s meant to be Students invest up to 20 hours a week for the er Architecture) holds an information event about FAU took part in SC 2017 together with fun? Jan, Lisa, Benedikt and Markus think so. SCC. When other students are enjoying their the competitions at the beginning of every semes- TU München as team ‘TUMany segFAUlts‘. The four students take part in competitions in weekend, work is just starting for the SCC teams. ter. ❰❰kg Germany, China and the USA where that is exactly what can happen. Such Student Cluster Com- petitions (SSC) are held at the same time as international trade fairs and conferences. Teams have several days to build a supercomputer, install the ZUKUNFTSSTARKE IT necessary software and solve various problems. Und Sie! And at the American SCC held during the Super- computing Conference the power is switched off in the middle of the night to check whether the participants have prepared a suitable disaster re- covery strategy.

Special prize for FAU Für Berufseinsteiger ist Bechtle vom Start Supercomputers are the quickest computers there WO FINDEN ABSOLVENTEN weg ein starker Arbeitgeber in der Zu- are. One of the criteria for judging the students’ kunftsbranche IT. Als Deutschlands größ- projects is therefore how quickly the computer can FREIHEITIT UND SPIRIT?IT tes konzernunabhängiges IT-Systemhaus calculate. The jury use the figures as a basis for und führender IT-E-Commerce-Anbieter in comparing the computers. The FAU team won a Europa haben wir unseren rund 7.700 Mit- special award at the Frankfurt International Super- arbeitern jede Menge zu bieten: viel Frei- computing Conference (ISC) as their computer raum, um sich zu entfalten, viel Rücken- was particularly quick – the greatest success to deckung und Erfahrung aus ihrem Team, date for the FAU participants. viel Spaß bei der Arbeit. Wenn Sie Lust auf However, pursuing the trophy is only one aspect. Leistung und Erfolg haben, bewerben Sie According to Jan, there are a lot of other benefits sich jetzt: besides: ‘You can meet new people and discuss how you solved certain problems’. It is not only bechtle.com/karriere other students that the participants meet. At the evening meal the teams may find themselves fac- Bechtle GmbH ing leading managers of blue chip companies such IT-Systemhaus Nürnberg as Intel or Dell. Now and again students might Telefon +49 911 58075-0 even get an offer for a job or an internship. [email protected]

Diversity is important Work begins weeks before the SCC. Students focus on the competitions for several months, first of all as part of a module during the semester and Even before the competition, Jan, then in the direct preparatory phase. Teams have Markus, Benedikt and Lisa (from left to right) to apply first. Students have to state their qualifica- invest a lot of time in working with supercomputers.

tions and reasons for applying to take part in the Sponsel FAU/Franziska Image:

48 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 49 #library #books #opac

The University Library is a huge source of knowledge. If you know how to use it, The Uni Library your studies will benefit greatly. treasure chest

Specialist literature is an essential resource for any student. Knowing how to make the most of the University Library (UB) will help you get ahead in your studies.

ou’ve already been given your FAUcard which Studying at home Space to learn functions as a library card. Before you can You can borrow books for up to four weeks. If In addition to providing books for you to borrow, Yborrow your first book you need to activate that’s not enough, you can renew them twice via the UB is also the ideal location to study. If you your library user account at www.idm.fau.eu. Your the catalogue. To be on the safe side, the library need to meet other students to do group work, user number is on the back of your FAUcard under will send you an e-mail reminding you of the date you can find a room using the Library Study Rooms the barcode. One working day after activating your your books are due back. Navigator at www.fau.info/learning-room-navigator. account you can start using the University Library. When you have written assignments to do, you However, not all books in the UB are available to may want to make use of the document delivery An introduction borrow and take home. Only books from the Main service FAUdok which allows you to have journal Seemingly endless rows of shelves hold the Uni- Library, the three branch libraries and some of the articles sent directly to your desk. versity Library’s books – around five and a half mil- institute libraries can be borrowed. All other books lion of them. To make sure you know how to find can only be borrowed over night or over the week- And because the range of media and services on what you’re looking for, you should take part in an end – or not at all. offer is so huge and can be confusing for new stu- introduction to using the library (German) – either dents in particular, the UB has an online informa- in the Main Library at Schuhstraße in Erlangen, the If the UB doesn’t have a book that you need, you tion service on its website. Just click on ‘ask a li- Science and Technology Branch Library on the can request an interlibrary loan from another Ger- brarian’ and you’ll receive the answers to all of Southern Campus, or the Economics and Social man library. This means you have free access to a your questions about using the library in no time. Sciences Branch Library or the Education Sci- few more million books for your studies. You can ences Branch Library in Nuremberg. This 90 min- read the UB’s many e-books and e-journals at any In summary, the UB is a huge source of knowl- ute session will introduce you to the secrets of the time and almost anywhere. To access them from edge. If you know how to use it, your studies will UB. You will learn how to find the books quickly in outside the University you must set up a VPN on benefit greatly because, as most students quickly the catalogue, what the different signatures mean, your computer. realise, it’s impossible to buy all of the books that which books you can borrow or read online – you need. ❰❰ everything you need to know for your studies. www.ub.fau.eu If you don’t want to visit the library in person you can find information on using the library on www.studon.fau.de/cat360.html. You can borrow books from the University Library for up to four weeks.

How to find a book You’ll find many of the books you’ll need as a new student in textbook collections. These are available in the three main branches, as well as in institute libraries. They contain several copies of text- books and basic literature on any subject and are freely accessible. You can take a book directly from the shelf and borrow it immediately. If your fellow students got there before you, you can also find a copy of the latest edition of each book in the reading room of the respective library.

However, a large proportion of the UB’s stock is stored in closed stacks and cannot be collected from the shelves by users. You can order these books and journals via the online catalogue OPACplus in one click: simply enter your user number and password. You will receive an e-mail

Image: David Hartfiel Image: FAU Image: as soon as the book is ready for you to collect.

50 frisch! an der FAU July 2017 51 #learninglab #studentshelpstudents #roomforstudying #fauapp #maps #orientation A

Two minds F are better than one

Are you struggling, but don’t feel ready to go to one of the official support services yet? U Not sure how to go about writing your assignment? Would you just like to meet up with other students or study together? Then the Learning Lab is the right place for you.

Can’t find the way? We’ve got it mapped out Image and illustration: colourbox.de; Screenshot: FAU colourbox.de; Screenshot: Image and illustration:

FAU often feels like its own little universe: you can easily get lost if you don’t know your way about. Help is at hand –

Always available to lend a hand: the online map service and the FAU app can show you the right way to wherever you need to go. Martina, Michaela, Manuel and Wael

are diversity scouts at the Learning Lab. Sponsel FAU/Franziska Image:

niversity can appear rather daunting, espe- The Learning Lab not only helps students find their language, and can be a particular challenge when f you hadn’t realised before, you soon will: you are looking for your professor’s email address ‘ cially at the beginning. We want to help our bearings, it also provides individual writing advice. writing in a foreign language. This is why, as well FAU is not a campus university. Its buildings or want to know what there is for lunch in the can- Ufellow students find the balance between What is special about it? Many of the advisors are as providing general advice, the writing centre also Iare not all gathered in one central spot, they teen, the app has the answers. their individual circumstances and studying,’ ex- students themselves, who have been specially provides specific advice for German as a foreign are spread out over several locations – even in The FAU map service helps if you need to know plains Michaela. She sits at the information desk trained for the Learning Lab. ‘Students are often language (DaF) and English. Every year in March, different towns. Not just Erlangen and Nurem- where a certain FAU institution is located. If you are on the first floor of the University Library, and to- more willing to talk about their problems with other the Learning Lab is involved in the ‘Lange Nacht berg, but also Fürth and Bamberg. As if that is looking for the Chair of Medieval History, for exam- gether with fellow students Martina, Manuel and students,’ explains Martina. der aufgeschobenen Hausarbeiten’ (Long Night of not tricky enough, the various institutions are ple, you can type it in at www.karte.fau.de (Ger- Wael she gives students advice on all sorts of top- Wael conducted an online survey among interna- Postponed Assignments). spread out throughout the towns as well. In Er- man) and the map service will show you the exact ics. She is one of the diversity scouts, a group of tional students to find out where they have difficul- The Learning Lab is also a place where students langen, FAU institutions can be found on nearly location. The service also helps you find a certain students who mentor other students at FAU. ties. The result was that the greatest challenge is can meet not only to revise or discuss matters re- every corner. Finding your way around is not building, such as the seminar building of the Fac- Many students from a variety of individual cir- to find accommodation. ‘I can help them thanks to lating to their studies but also to arrange an easy, especially for new students. The cryptic ulty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology. cumstances approach the scouts with things on my own experience as an international student,’ evening playing board games or listening to music. names of the rooms don’t help either: 00.4 PSG, However, even technology has its limits. Some- their minds about life at university. They can’t find says Wael. ‘Although students are individuals from ‘We want the Learning Lab to be a place where 02.134-113 – how are you meant to know where times neither the app nor the map service can a flat, for example, or they have failed an examina- many diverse backgrounds, many struggle with students can come to connect with other students that is? help. For example when it comes to nicknames tion. Sometimes, however, they have more press- similar problems, such as examination anxiety,’ and feel at home,’ explains Michaela. Plans are un- The free FAU app for iOS and Android can help. buildings and rooms have been given over the ing issues, such as drug problems. ‘We can’t al- adds Martina. derway for the Learning Lab to have its own rooms Using the navigation function you can search spe- years by students, like the ‘Philosophentürme’. ways help directly. But we can lend an ear and in the Erlangen Centre and students are invited to cifically for lecture buildings and room numbers. The best thing you can do in this case is ask other help them find the right support service at the uni- Writing advice for everyone contribute their ideas on how this space is used. As the app is linked to Google Maps, you can fol- students where it is. versity’, says Martina. Students often approach the scouts with ques- Visit the Learning Lab website for the latest news low your smartphone to exactly the right place Looking for the best place to study? The library tions about writing. They are then directed to the and developments. ❰❰kg once you know which building or room you are study rooms navigator can find you the perfect spot. Students help students Writing Centre which is part of the Learning Lab. looking for. All you need to do is enter the room You can find it at www.fau.info/lernraum-navigator. The diversity scouts are part of the Learning Lab. Writing texts at university is not easy in your native www.learninglab.fau.de names exactly as they are given in UnivIS. And if ❰❰kg

52 frisch! an der FAU Mai 2018 53 #erlangen #nürnberg #leisuretime Erlangen or Nuremberg?

One university, two cities. And both of them have plenty to offer beyond the lecture theatres and laboratories. We asked two insiders for their tips on what to see and do in the cities.

Nuremberg: a vibrant metropolis Erlangen: a small city with a lot to offer Lukas is in his seventh semester studying business education at FAU Katharina has lived in a shared flat since she did her Bachelor’s degree at FAU. and currently lives in the St. Peter student accommodation. Now, she is working on her Master’s degree in Media, Ethics and Religion in her second semester.

For studying… When the weather is good… And when it rains… For studying… When the weather is good… And when it rains… I normally study in my room or a study room, be- The garden at my student accommodation, St. There are plenty of cafés, like Bar Celona, in the The Main Library, because I can concentrate fully I like to relax in the Schlossgarten, because it’s I hole up in one of the many cafés. My tip: Amir, cause I’m the kind of student who needs total si- Peter, the Wöhrder Wiese and the Pegnitzgrund to city centre. Even when nothing else is happening, on my work without any distractions there. such a peaceful place to be when the sun is shin- right around the corner from the Kollegienhaus, is lence to concentrate. Sometimes, I also repeat catch a bit of sun even during the exam period and there’s normally an exciting FIFA match. ing. I always see someone I know there. THE coffee man. things out loud, which would bother other stu- because you can have barbecues at the Pegnitz- dents if I studied in the library. grund. I especially like Nuremberg because… According to Katharina, a visit to the Berg I especially like that… Despite its size and all the people living here, you each year is a must. Erlangen is clearly a student town. Not too big and Not a secret, but always worth a visit: can still get to know the city well. not too small. It’s easy to get to Nuremberg if you Lukas recommends having a picnic at the want a change of scenery – perfect for studying. Imperial Castle in Nuremberg. When I go out in the evenings… We meet at someone’s flat to have a couple of When I go out in the evenings… drinks before going out and then the discussion There are plenty of bars to choose from. It’s a great starts. Where are we going to go tonight?! I like way to unwind with friends from the daily routine of everything that has a good beat, so I’ll go every- studying. where, from Mach1 and Stereo to King Lui. You can meet nice people… You can meet nice people… At student initiatives or Hochschulsport classes. Everywhere. I had really funny conversations while waiting at a traffic light or at the local registration My recommendation for culture in Erlangen… office. It all comes down to you. If you’re open, The [ki´ta:so] short film festival at Lamm-Licht- Nuremberg and the people here are mostly open spiele. to you, too. Bergkirchweih: yea or nay? My recommendation for culture in The Bergkirchweih is an essential part of life in Er- Nuremberg… langen. You don’t have to be there for all the festiv- The historical rock-cut cellars. And no one has ities, but a year without heading to the Berg at ever complained about a simple picnic at the Im- least once just isn’t done. perial Castle when the weather is good. Rock im Park or Bardentreffen? Bergkirchweih: yea or nay? Neither nor: I prefer Klassik Open Air. The Bergkirchweih in Erlangen! Going there is an absolute MUST. You normally don’t get a good My personal event highlight in Erlangen… spot, but you can find good music and beer and Besides the Bergkirchweih, my favourite events meet new people. are the different Christmas markets in the region.

Rock im Park or Bardentreffen? Last but not least, my insider tip for I think the Bardentreffen festival is something spe- Erlangen… cial. The combination of bands from all over the The pub quiz at Granny Macs. The pub is full on world playing their music on street corners is phe- Monday evenings. You can sit together with your nomenal. friends and puzzle over the right answers while enjoying good burgers. ❰❰ Last but not least, my insider tip for Nuremberg… The Liebesinsel in the city centre. You can just put your feet in the water and relax. Image: FAU/Giulia Iannicelli FAU/Giulia Image: Sponsel FAU/Franziska Image:

54 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 55 #studentlife #studentclubs #studentinitiatives

Action! No matter whether you prefer to tinker with cars, help refugees or stage a play: the University has a lot to offer even away from the lecture theatre and the library.

Paradise for amateur inventors Doctors for teddy bears and DIY enthusiasts The FabLab offers various pieces of equipment for you to try your hand at, for example a CNC milling machine. Teddies with toothache, cuddly tortoises with a Whether you want to build a USB sound card or sore tummy or dolls with a broken arm: medicine make a birthday present for your gran, the FabLab students organise the teddy bear hospital once a at FAU is the place to go. Anyone can use the year in the Schlossgarten at FAU for cuddly toys high-tech workshop and professional equipment. who are not well. Over three days, medical stu- You don’t even need any special skills, just an idea dents at FAU treat the cuddly toys children bring, and a willingness to learn. helping children get used to going to a doctor The FabLab team – most of them students at through play. The patients are examined carefully, FAU – will show you how to work the machines given plasters and bandages and sent back home and plan how best to implement your project. to recover after visiting the pharmacy. Workshops are held for anyone who would like to Several stands are available where the young visi- get a grasp of the basics before getting down to tors can try their hand at being a doctor them- the hard stuff – from courses in soldering for be- selves: putting on a bandage, taking an x-ray or ginners or those with more experience to design- assisting in the operating theatre. The cuddly toys ing 3D objects. can even go for a check up to students studying The equipment in the FabLab includes a laser cut- dentistry in Erlangen, showing children how to ter, several 3D printers, a vinyl cutter and a CNC keep their teeth clean and healthy.

milling machine, to name just a few. Many students Katharina Götz; TBK: Georg Pöhlein; Images Images FabLab: Woock; Nina Image JCT: https://blogs.fau.de/tbkh/ (German) who visit the FabLab are students at the Faculty of Engineering. After all, the computer programmes and tools give them the perfect opportunity to apply Building a town model out of Lego – just one of what they have learnt in lectures – and learn some- the projects for the JCT team. thing new at the same time. However, the FabLab team hopes to be able to encourage creative users as well. A sewing and embroidery machine is available for textile projects. There is no charge for using What does a doctor do? the FabLab or advice from the student experts. All Children can find out for themselves that needs to be paid is a small contribution to- with their own cuddly toys. wards materials used and machine run time. www.fablab.fau.de/en them to its members. The young entrepreneurs then form teams and tackle the projects independently. Clients include both start-ups and well-established corporations listed on the Ger- Junior consultant opportunities man Stock Exchange or DAX. Past JCT projects while you study include competitive analysis, organising innovation workshops and marketing consultation in sectors If getting involved in projects in talent develop- as diverse as its members’ backgrounds. ment, financial management, process optimisation Physicists, economists, computer scientists or or providing consulting services to regional and mechanical engineers – JCT unites experts from a international companies is your thing then you are number of fields with a wide range of different per- perfect for the Junior Consulting Team e.V. (JCT), spectives. JCT looks for new dedicated students the student consultancy service run by FAU and to join them at the beginning of each semester. The teddy bears’ hospital Nuremberg Tech. Why not apply? even has its own pharmacy. JCT acquires consultancy projects and forwards www.jct.de (German)

56 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 57 Representing a country as a diplomat at the UN: FAUMUN makes it possible.

Volunteering for refugees

Students at FAU have set up the Refugee Law Clin- ic Erlangen-Nürnberg (RLC). They advise asylum seekers preparing for their hearing as part of the asylum process. The non-profit association has over 70 members, most of whom are students. Nevertheless, the RLC team would welcome even Everything theatre more volunteers. You can get involved in various different areas, for example providing advice, or- Every summer ‘ARENA…of the young arts’ brings ganising events, public relations or translation. modern international theatre to Erlangen. For one Members meet regularly to get to know each other, week the city becomes a stage where young tal- chat and share ideas on the first Wednesday of the ents present their productions, with performances month at 7.30 pm at La Pasión in Halbmondstraße, ranging from drama, dance and physical theatre to Erlangen. readings. The performances and the locations are www.facebook.com/RLCErlangenNuremberg unconventional and experimental, which has (German) The Refugee Law Clinic supports earned ARENA fame beyond the city. However, asylum seekers in preparing for their hearing. the majority of the event managers are not full-time employees but FAU students. Each year, they put on a great festival which has become one of the Pitstop Hot off the press highlights of the cultural calendar. The students are not just involved with the organizational side of the Get a feel for racing with the High Octanes, a stu- Budding journalists who love to write can get in- event which has been running for 20 years: each dent group that takes part in the Formula Student volved in ‘V – das Studentenmagazin’. Students year ARENA produces a piece with a group from every year. These summer events see the Oc- from all subjects are invited to write articles on top- the previous year that premieres at the next festi- tanes travel to races across Europe and pit them- ics related to student life. Keen photographers can val. The ARENA team is always looking for new selves against teams from other universities on a also contribute to the magazine. If you want to see members. If you would like to get involved, you variety of tracks. But the races are actually the the articles before everyone else, you can become can get in touch via www.arena-festival.de (Ger- smallest part of the project. Before they even a proofreader. Before each edition is printed, the man). reach the race track, the High Octanes have to fi- layout has to be determined – and volunteers are nance and build their own cars. As well as need- always welcome for this task, too. A new edition of ing tech-savvy students to help with the construc- the magazine, which was launched in the winter There are also are a wide range of student initia- tion, the team also needs members who can semester 2014/15, is published at the beginning tives at FAU that you can take part in: handle sponsorship, marketing, and the business of every semester. You can pick up a free copy www.stuve.fau.de/gruppen (German) plan – which, incidentally, also gets a score in the from various locations around the University in Er- ❰❰sb/sk/as/bo/cr Formula Student. With that in mind, students from langen and Nuremberg. If you’d like to support the any faculty are welcome to join the group, share editorial team of around 20 students, just come their knowledge and learn. and introduce yourself at the next meeting. The Erlangen pedestrian zone is www.high-octane-motorsports.de (German) www.v-magazin.studierende.fau.de (German) transformed into a stage for spectacular performances once a year The High Octanes build a new racing car every year for when young talents meet for the drama festival ARENA. the Formula Student Germany. V – das Studentenmagazin writes about student topics.

On the international stage

Discussing current political issues with delegates from other countries and making decisions about draft resolutions are tasks normally reserved for high-level diplomats, but students from universities around the world, including FAU, get to do this too at the National Model United Nations (NMUN). You could be there at the negotiations in New York City representing a UN member state in various bodies, specialised agencies and committees. At the start of the winter semester, FAUMUN begins preparing for an international conference the next spring. Here you can learn negotiation strategies and how to structure a public speech. You will also find out about the United Nations, gain specialist knowledge about the country you’re representing and gain the professional skills of a diplomat. In spring, around 20 FAU students travel to the National Model United Nations in New York to represent ‘their country’ in negotiations.

www.faumun.org ARENA; ARENA: Priya George; Image Formula Student Germany/Markus Soukup; Image FAUMUN: Image High Octanes: colourbox.de colourbox.de; Image Refugees: Image magazine:

1712 HR LAUF FAU 186x85_Pfade.indd 1 05.12.2017 11:00:46 58 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 59 #sport #foreveryone #sport #competition

If you want to stay in shape while at FAU, we recommend checking out what’s on offer from Hochschulsport. Full speed ahead

Move your body! Even as part of the competitive rowing team, Ruth still finds time to have fun. No matter whether you want to train once a month or four times a week. Julia Kirsten Sponsel; bottom: FAU/Franziska top: Images: No matter whether you want to become really fit or just want to meet new people You want to test your skills by competing against other students? while doing sport. University Sports offers something for everyone! Then why not join one of the FAU teams that regularly take part in competitions. Like Ruth. ith options as diverse as Aikido, tango and lacrosse, there is hardly any sport that you Training specific muscles or simply having fun: Wcan’t get involved in at FAU. Of course the University Sports offers something for everyone. more traditional sports like football, tennis and swim- ust a few more powerful strokes and the row- ming are included in the wide range on offer too. ing boat will cross the finishing line – ahead of University Sports runs courses in around 70 different Jall the others. Ruth and her three team mates sports each semester. The costs are low, so they’re are ecstatic, as they have just won the mixed quad the perfect opportunity to try something new. sculling race at the German University Champion- For example, why not have a go at sailing? The ships (DHM). That’s not the only reason for Ruth to University’s water sports centre is located by the be happy. By winning third place in the women’s Ruth has qualified for the Brombachsee lake. Beginners and intermediate quad sculling race she has also qualified for the European University championships with the women‘s quad level sailors can take part in courses there to gain European University Championships (EUG). She sculling team. sailing qualifications. If you are already qualified, will be heading to Coimbra in Portugal in July. you can hire a boat from the centre. Ruth is studying medicine at FAU and rows for University Sports also organizes a range of keep- the Erlangen Rowing Club (Erlanger Ruderverein). fit courses including aerobics, Tae Bo and fitness She started the students’ rowing team together gymnastics where you’ll exercise muscles you with Hedwig when she first came to university. never knew you had. You can also go for a work- Sporting success is not the only thing that moti- out at the University Sports gym. vates the 26 year old to take part in the competi- The martial arts courses include karate, Tai Chi tions. ‘The DHM is the perfect combination of sport and Kung Fu. If that’s not your style, you might and fun. You get to spend a lot of time with the prefer ballet, zumba, climbing or yoga – to name team and it really is a great experience, not just dur- just a few of the alternatives. Whether you prefer ing the races,’ reports Ruth. Standards at the DHM indoor or outdoor, individual or team sports, there’s are very high, as a number of top athletes take part. something for everyone. You can also meet new You don’t have to have a lot of experience to take a try. According to Ruth, some are pushed to their support during this stressful period, as they are, people who are interested in the same sports part, however. There are special rowing races for limits, others are encouraged to develop their po- quite literally, all in the same boat! They are a great through the ‘Find a sport partner’ service. beginners. Some successes sound like a fairytale tential and others just enjoy the exercise and com- source of encouragement and motivation for each You can’t find exactly the sport you were looking come true: Larissa, for example, joined the rowing panionship within the group. other – both when rowing and when studying. for? Then suggest it to us, or even take the course group as a beginner in her first semester at FAU Rowing motivates Ruth whilst studying, and is a There is also plenty of opportunity to relax and yourself as the instructor. University Sports is al- and is now going to the EUG in the summer. Any- welcome way to relax. The DHM is usually held have fun together, whether having a barbecue, ways open to new sports and courses. ❰❰ one can join in at rowing, no matter whether they right in the main examinations period. However, playing board games, watching favourite series on

www.hochschulsport.fau.de Arhelger/shutterstock.com (top) Tobias Erich Malter (bottom), Images: are setting out to win or just want to give the sport team members give each other valuable moral TV or going skiing. ❰❰kg

60 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 61 #sneep #ReWiFak #sustainability #studentlife

Philipp (3rd from left) and the Nuremberg sneep team want to make FAU a Fairtrade University. Fair for everyone you&me More and more food is being thrown away and the oceans are full of plastic waste. If this worries you, and you’d like to be part of the ever increasing number of students forever With workshops and podium campaigning for greater sustainability – the ‘sneep’ student network discussions, sneep hopes to increase awareness of sustainability. is an ideal place for making your voice heard. Du willst eine Verbindung fürs Leben?

didn’t really have much to do with sustainabil- in particular has students from a wide range of ‘ ity before. I just saw a poster for the kick-off different subjects,’ reports Philipp. ‘I usually tackle Werde schon im Studium Teil des FAU Alumni-Netzwerks I event and haven’t looked back since,’ ex- problems from an economic point of view. Stu- plains Philipp. He is studying economics, writing dents of other subjects often have quite different his Bachelor’s thesis on sustainability and heads perspectives.’ und bleib in Kontakt mit deiner Alma Mater! the local sneep group – part of a national student initiative – at FAU in Nuremberg. A Fairtrade university ‘Sneep stands for Student Network for Ethics in At present, sneep Nuremberg is concentrating on Economics and Practice and we campaign for having FAU named as a ‘Fairtrade university’. Cer- sustainability and business and corporate ethics,’ tain conditions have to be met, for example offer- explains Philipp. With more than 30 active mem- ing sustainable drinks in the canteens or fair trade bers, the Nuremberg group is the largest in Ger- coffee at official university meetings. But this is just many, and a group was started in Erlangen in the the beginning. ‘The Fairtrade status itself is not winter semester 2017/18. enough. It has to be followed by action,’ says Philipp. The students already have many ideas – Sustainability days in autumn from environmentally friendly paper to a public As the head of the group, Philipp is responsible fridge for food which is nearing its best before above all for a number of coordination tasks: ‘We date. have four project groups and I am responsible for Sneep is always keen to welcome dedicated stu- coordinating with the heads of the other local dents who can help put the numerous projects groups.’ The most stressful time is in autumn, into practice. ‘Just drop in to one of our weekly when the sustainability days are held. We offer meetings or send us a message,’ says Philipp. He several days of workshops, presentations and po- thinks students should definitely get involved in dium discussions. We also put on several cool student initiatives. ‘They offer a good balance to events like a fair fashion show or a tombola with studying and you learn to make practical use of Fairtrade products. what you have learned in theory’. He has also ben- The project is supported by the Chair of Corporate efited personally from being a member of sneep, Sustainability Management at the School of Busi- meeting interesting people from politics, econom- Students model fair fashion ness and Economics. ‘We don’t only study busi- ics and research. ❰❰kg at a fashion show. ness and economics, though, the Erlangen group www.facebook.com/sneepNuernberg sneep Nürnberg Images: Gleich kostenfrei im Alumni-Portal anmelden: www.alumni.fau.de 62 frisch! an der FAU

Alumni_forevver_Anz_00.indd 1 05.04.2018 12:39:00 #franconian #foreignlanguage #dreiimWeggla

Fränkisch: ‘Drei im Weggla’ – that´s how you order It’s German, but not as you know it the popular snack of three Nuremberg bratwursts in a bread roll. It’s not often you come across Franconian (Fränkisch) words in your German lessons, so if you hear things like fei, aweng or Gwerch, you might not have much of a clue what’s going on. To help you out, we’ve come up with a frisch! Franconian course for beginners.

Understanding Franconians

There is no single Franconian dialect as such. Vocabularies and pronunciation even differ between Erlangen and Nuremberg. Nonetheless, we’ve put together a short list of words to help you better understand this particular corner of the German-speaking world.

Allmächd! Franconian expression of astonishment, consternation; the standard German equivalent would be Allmächtiger Gott! (God almighty!) The Franke in you aweng a little, some; often used in the diminutive form awengala bassd scho that’s okay, that’s fine; the highest praise possible in Franconia; a Franconian • Franconians – whether they come from Middle, Upper or superlative Lower Franconia – are not big talkers. So they’re often said fei all-purpose word, filler word; used to emphasize a point, often in conjunction Franconians will happily to be uncommunicative, unenthusiastic, and permanently Even though Franconians are easy-going people, there are with wergli: ‘Des war fei wergli aso’ = it really happened like that in a bad mood. But that’s just the way it looks at first some things that you should avoid saying or doing while in Gschmarri nonsensical ramblings, rubbish; comparative: Arschgschmarri; alternatively, share an a beer bench with glance, and it’s really worth taking a second one. Franconia. For instance: Gwaaf or Arschgwaaf Gwerch chaos, noise, disorder; e.g. Berchgwerch = big crowds of people at you – you just have to ask. • In Franconia, the clocks work differently. For instance, • Don’t call a Franconian a Bavarian. Franconia was an- Erlangen’s Bergkirchweih beer festival when it’s 13:15 or 13:45, Germans elsewhere will say it’s nexed to the Kingdom of Bavaria in the early 19th century. Karaasch garage, one of the few Franconian words with a K – possibly even the only either Viertel nach eins (quarter past one) or Viertel vor zwei Many Franconians still feel that this was an outrageous one (quarter to two). But the Franconians will tell you it’s viertel injustice. Obachd! watch out, be careful; ‘Gib fei Obachd!’ zwei (one-quarter on the way to two) or dreiviertel zwei Abodd toilet (three-quarters on the way to two). The way they see it, the • Don’t tell Nurembergers how great Fürth is, and vice versa. Belzermäddl (also Bulzermäddl, Bulzer) clock is ticking in the direction of the next hour. The cities have been locked in a feud for centuries, and no Describes a quirk of Middle Franconian culture: instead of Saint Nicholas one really knows why. The feelings of hostility are cultivat- visiting on 6 December (as is the tradition throughout the rest of Germany), • Franconians use fewer letters than other Germans do. Al- ed fervently, and can range from mild distrust to hate-filled children in protestant Franconia get their gifts from the Pelzmärtel on 11 though Franconians know very well what a hadde B is bust-ups. People in Erlangen take a fairly neutral stance November (‘hard B’, or the letter P to you and me) and a hadde D on the conflict, as a lot of newcomers live there because of brunzn, schdrullern, schiffn (‘hard D’, or the letter T), they almost never use them. They the university, the teaching hospital and Siemens. Franconians have lots of words for passing water also rarely use the letter K, and when they do, they pro- Erlang, Fädd, Nämberch nounce it like a G (as in Gloß mit Soß instead of Kloß mit • Don’t order a small beer. In Franconia, beer is served in a Erlangen, Fürth, Nuremberg Soß), or swallow it entirely (as in Noblauchsland instead of Seidla, an earthenware or glass tankard that holds half a Glubb nickname for Nuremberg’s soccer team, 1. FC Nürnberg; fans of the club call themselves Glubberer Knoblauchsland). litre. If you can’t manage a whole Seidla, you order a from Kirchweih, a folk festival – e.g. Erlangen’s Berchkärwa and Fürth’s Schnitt, which is half beer, half head. At local festivals, you Kärwa Fädder Kärwa • Franconians love their beer – even more than the Bavari- usually get beer by the litre in a Maß. Schdrasserboo ans do – which is why Franconia has the highest density of a tram breweries in the world. • Don’t ask for ‘drei Bratwürste im Brötchen’ at a Bratwurst Baggers potato fritters, hash browns stall. You should say ‘drei im Weggla’ – Franconians are Bfiffer mushrooms; chanterelles are called Gelberla very particular about this. Boddaggn potatoes, the main ingredient in Baggers Broudwoschd bratwurst; in Nuremberg, you only ever use the plural: Broudwäschd; • Don’t visit a beer garden and sit down with Franconians a popular snack is ‘drei im Weggla’ (three Nuremberg bratwursts in a you don’t know without asking. If you do ask, and they bread roll) reply with either ‘bassd scho’ or an affirmative grunt, you Gloß mit Soß potato dumpling with gravy; usually the only halfway vegetarian dish in are very welcome to take a seat. Franconian restaurants; Franconian dumplings are also called Gniedla. Gnärtzla the crust at either end of a loaf of bread • Don’t discuss the difference between Backpapier (baking Lebbkoung lebkuchen, a soft gingerbread-style biscuit especially popular at the paper) and Packpapier (brown packing paper). In Franco- Nämbercher Christkindlesmarkt (Nuremberg Christmas market) nia, there’s only Baggbabier, whichever type you want. ❰❰ Images: Bikeworldtravel/shutterstock.com (top); Tarasyuk Igor/shutterstock.com (bottom left); Rafa Inusta/shutterstock.com (bottom right); right: Joe Gaugh/shutterstock.com Igor/shutterstock.com (bottom left); Rafa Inusta/shutterstock.com right); right: Tarasyuk Bikeworldtravel/shutterstock.com (top); Images:

64 frisch! an der FAU May 2018 65 #alumni A start-up adventure

NochBefore nicht they mal had mit even dem finished Studium theirfertig, degrees, four aber brave schon FAU den students eigenen decided Verlag gegründet. to set up their own Daspublishing haben sich house. vier OneFAU-Studierende of the founders, getraut. InzwischenLaura Jacobi, ist Mitgründerinhas since graduated. Laura Jacobi Alumna. WieWe es spoke zum homunculusto her about howverlag homunculus gekommen verlag ist came und wie to be,das and Leben what als life Verlegerin is like as so a publisher.aussieht,

Had you always dreamed of setting up your own publishing house? I’ve always been interested in books and literature, which is why I studied German, Book Studies and Literary Studies. But the idea to found a publishing house came rather suddenly, and not until the end of my Bachelor’s degree – a time when you start thinking more seriously about your career. Then, I Dich hat das Shopping- started my Master’s, and worked on setting up the publishing house alongside that. homunculus verlag officially opened for business almost a year Fieber gepackt? Dann schau before I finished my Master’s. im FAU-Shop vorbei! Did your degree help you in setting up the business? Online unter: There are a lot of things that a degree can’t teach you – that’s especially true of the dynamics of the www.fau-shop.de free market economy, and what daily office work entails. So for us, it was a matter of learning by FAU-Alumna Laura Jacobi Oder vor Ort: doing. But if I hadn’t studied Book Studies, I founded a publishing house.

wouldn’t have known how the German book mar- homunculus verlag Image: ket is structured and what organisations are active Shirthunter within it. Also, the typography module I took allowed me to deepen my knowledge of Adobe In- How do you finance yourselves? A video about the homunculus verlag Obere Karlstraße 19, Design. And my German studies taught me how to Our seed capital was our own capital – in other is available on the FAU YouTube chan- handle texts professionally. We also used FAU’s words, our savings. At the start, we tried to keep nel (German): 91054 Erlangen start-up consulting services before we went ahead costs very low while still putting together a wide www.youtube.com/unifau with the business. portfolio, which we managed to do. We crowd- funded the first issue of our literary journal Seiten- What makes you different to other stechen. publishing houses? Everything – editing, layout, typesetting, cover de- If you could turn back time, would you do sign – is done in close collaboration between the anything differently during your degree? Out of sight, ❉ four of us in the team. Our design gives all our I’m sure I could have been more sensible in a lot of books a special homunculus look. In terms of con- respects – but then my student days wouldn’t out of mind? tent, we favour quirky and unusual texts and have been half as exciting as they were. forms. No chance! FAU keeps in touch with its former stu- Do you have any tips for students who want dents via a lively alumni network. It doesn’t even You won the Chamber of Commerce and to set up their own business? matter if your graduation is still a long way off – you Industry’s Middle Franconia cultural prize in Setting up a company is different in every case, can join the network while you’re still a student. 2016. How did you invest the prize money? but this tip probably applies across the board: Alumni events and the interactive alumni portal allow Winning an award for a business you’ve just set up contacts and a willingness to connect with people you to meet interesting people who might be helpful is an amazing feeling! We used the money to em- are genuinely as valuable as everyone says they contacts for you in your future career. Sign up for free ploy two representatives who are introducing our are. ❰❰ nads here: books to bookshops in Bavaria and Baden-Würt- www.fau.eu/alumni. temberg. www.fau-shop.de

66 frisch! an der FAU Hagemann Group el, David Hartﬁ Fotos: zur.gestaltung; k: Graﬁ Lieber Aufbruch statt Stillstand? Bewegen Sie mit uns Zukunft.

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