best days of my life! (Cologne University)

Member Name: pixie1902

Product:	Cologne University
Date:	06/05/01 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: student-friendly, rewarding, good atmosphere

Disadvantages: very big University - perhaps too big

Well, it seems I'm the first one to write about my old Univeristy. I spent six years here from 1993 to 1999 as I believed that the courses I intended studying could best be studied in Germany (German and Scandinavian Studies).
It would not be faur for me to compare a German University with a British establishment as I have no experience of University in the UK. All I knew was that I would be expected to complete a degree course in three years over here and I wanted more flexibility than that and Germany seemed like it would offer me that chance.
In Germany you are free to choose the courses and classes you attend. You have a set list of courses which have to be successfully completed in order to graduate. The order you do them in is more or less left to the individual to decide (and let's face it, we're old enough to decide our own futures). You can also attend courses that have nothing whatsoever to do with your course. If, for example, you were studying biology and wanted to brush up your Spanish, you are able to attend as many Spanish classes as you wish.
The only compulsory course for all students is Latin. Everyone must have GCSE equivalent for their Bachelors exams and A-level equivalent for Masters.
As there are no student loans or grants on Germany, 87% of the students work at least 16 hours a week to pay for their administration costs, living costs and other incidentals. Fortunately, the University provided the students with plenty of employment opportunities: in the libraries, assisting the professors, in the post room and other administrative offices, in the cafeteria, cleaning, gardening, etc. I was fortunate enough to be offered a position on the library and as a student assistant to one of the linguistics professors.
As so many students have to work, classes are repeated several times a week to give everyone a chance to attend. Classes start at 7 am and finish at 10pm. There are also classes on Saturdays and S
undays and all exams were held at the weekend.
One thing I must say about British universities: I visited my sister once at her Univeristy in the UK and on Saturday afternoon I was surprised to see that those students who were up (not many of them) were lounging in pyjamas in front of Grandstand, sipping beer and munching crisps. In my halls of residence there was no one around on a Saturday afternoon. Half of them were working in rest homes and hospitals, the other half were making up classes they couldn't attend during the week because of work commitments. Just an observation...
The University of Cologne has a cafeteria that has been nominated 'Best in Germany' and is also the largest in Europe. There are over 50,000 students at the University and the cafeteria manages to provide all of them and the staff with excellent meals. The cafeteria has several floors, all offering a different kind of meal. The lower ground floor is organic vegetarian food (both buffet-style and set meals), the ground floor has various hot buffets, there are also good set meals and themed restaurants. The cost to the students varies between 60p and £2.00, depending on the meal chosen. They have a minimum of two courses and are available from 11am to 9pm, enabling everyone to eat a decent meal regardless of their timetable. You can also watch TV on cinema-type screens or surf the net whilst eating.
The student participation level in the day-to-day running of the University of Cologne is extremely high, with the students asked to vote on all major issues affecting the university. They are also asked to assist in preparing the lessons with the lecturers and professors and their opinions are always valued. The teachers are graded by the students too and they publish the feedback each teacher has received.
The only drawback for most people is that all the classes are taught in German. Fortunately this wasn't a problem for me as I am bilingual anyway.
Students at Cologne are also expected to understand English as research material is not always available in German and many academic texts were written in English and have not yet been translated. English tests are randomly carried out and extra help is offered to those who struggle.
All-in-all, a very realistic university, very student-friendly and a fantastic educational opportunity.

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