Settling In: My First Weeks at Hochschule der Medien


Settling In: My First Weeks at Hochschule der Medien

Landing in Germany for my enhancement year was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. It was my first time here, and I was really looking forward to experiencing a new country and uni life at Hochschule der Medien (HdM). The campus looked great—modern, open, and organised—but at first, it was confusing since Uni Stuttgart and HdM share the same space.

My first few days didn’t go as planned. My buddy couldn’t pick up my accommodation keys, so I had to book a hotel for the night. I was told I’d get refunded, but in the end, that didn’t happen. Spending over €100 on something that wasn’t my fault wasn’t a great start, but it is what it is.

Adjusting to HdM’s Teaching Style

Classes here are way more self-directed than what I was used to at Coventry. My research project had no actual lectures, and for a while, I had no idea what to do. Some professors are super hands-on, while others just leave you to it. One group project was weird—our professor gave us feedback, but my teammates took it so seriously that they basically changed the whole project instead of making it their own.

Assignments here are really flexible, almost too much. Back home, there are set deadlines and clear instructions. Here, it’s easy to lose track of what’s due and when, so I’ve had to become more independent with my work.

Challenges & Cool Surprises

The language barrier has been a challenge. Some professors switch between German and English, and a lot of my classmates speak Flemish, so they naturally pick up German better. Sometimes I’d just be sitting there, completely lost.

On the flip side, Germany has some cool systems. The library sorts books automatically, and the cafeteria has a tray conveyor belt—small things, but super efficient.

Now that I’ve settled in, things feel way more comfortable. I’ve got a solid routine, made good friends, and soon I’ll be mentoring at the Design Factory—but I’ll save that for another post.

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