For the first event of their orientation phase—“O-Phase”—the incoming freshmen gathered in the lecture halls at HNU. Instead of a traditional welcome speech, HNU President Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann and Prof. Dr. Volker Reuter, Rector of the Ulm University of Applied Sciences (THU), answered the sometimes lighthearted, sometimes serious questions posed by the student council (StuVer). The discussion focused both on the act of studying itself and on the role of universities in society and the economy. Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann encouraged the new students to get involved in the community and to take advantage of the many opportunities HNU offers to gain practical experience early on. Prof. Dr. Volker Reuter addressed the students in the joint degree programs between HNU and THU in particular and highlighted the strong collaboration between the two universities in the twin cities.
Arrive, Get to Know the Place, Give Things a Try
The StuVer had put together an extensive program for orientation week. After the official welcome, the new students immediately began familiarizing themselves with the campus: On Monday, numerous student organizations—such as the Lions Campus Club, ponte consult, Einstein Motorsport, the Student Ambassadors, and HNU eSports—as well as various HNU departments, presented themselves in the foyer. This gave the “freshmen” the opportunity right from the start to make new connections, get involved, and explore the wide range of activities available on campus. A traditional white sausage breakfast, a group Kässpätzle dinner, guided tours of HNU, a city scavenger hunt, and the freshman party provide opportunities for new encounters and shared experiences throughout the first week of school.
First Glimpses into College Life
Academically, too, the semester gets off to an early start: As part of the orientation phase, the program directors present their respective programs and give new students an initial glimpse into the course content, the structure of the program, and career prospects. The interdisciplinary first-semester business simulation offers a hands-on experience: Working in small teams, students take on responsibility for a fictional, for-profit company, tackle business management tasks, and make business decisions together. This requires not only subject-matter expertise but also teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. In addition, participants will receive a crash course on the university library and learn more about health services and the HNU’s BIZEPS counseling center. Optional preparatory courses in mathematics and programming round out the orientation phase and offer an opportunity to refresh existing knowledge and prepare specifically for the start of their studies.
