University ambassadors whisper about their university and the city

Campus TUschler

'It was a logical decision' - Master's degree programme in Education in Chemnitz. What does a specialist group actually do? Small excursion tips in and around Chemnitz. Once around the city in 16 days. Students at the Technical University reveal this and more in their blog "Campus TUschler". But it's not a normal blog. The students are not trained editors, but students from various faculties at the city's university and passionate Chemnitz residents. Regardless of whether they moved here or were born here.
That's why they call themselves the university ambassadors. We met with some of them before the enrolment event at the Technical University and interviewed them.
The Campus TUschler began reporting on their life in Chemnitz and at the university at the end of last year. The aim is to show prospective students, Bachelor's students who want to add a Master's degree and, above all, school pupils what studying at the Technical University is like. How is it organised, do the students like it here, what is life actually like on campus and what do the students do alongside their studies? First-hand experiences are important to the university ambassadors. "Brochures and flyers can say a lot, but real people are simply more authentic," reports Natalie Pohle, the coordinator and supervisor of the blog.
Christian Bäumler and Sebastian Arndt, two students in their early twenties, have been at the TU for four and three years respectively and write about their experiences.

What motivated you to become a university ambassador?
Sebastian Arndt: I read an article about the Campus TUschler on the TU homepage. At that time, there was no computer scientist as a university ambassador and I could imagine taking on this task. I also write for other organisations. So I signed up and became the first computer scientist on the blog.
Christian Bäumler: I had been looking for a kind of ambassador for the university for a while. Since I've been living in Chemnitz, I've been incredibly happy with my studies at the TU and with the city. I just wanted to share this with others and maybe convince one or two people to study here.

What topics inspire you?
Sebastian Arndt: So far, I haven't written so much about my studies, but more about what I do on the side. For example, I ran around Germany in 16 days with the Lauf-KulTour. That was one of my stories.

What are the reactions to your articles?
Christian Bäumler: It varies. I know one of our ambassadors got positive feedback on his contribution. The person who commented on it was pleased with the article and the suggestions it contained. After one of my posts about a semester abroad in Trondheim (Norway), I was asked by another student if he could find out more about it. He also wanted to go there. We then met up and I told him about my experiences during my stay. Now I hope that he will get in touch soon and tell me about his experiences.

They both chose the TU for their Bachelor's degree in Applied Computer Science and their Master's degree in Regenerative Energy Technology. Sebastian didn't even have to change cities. Christian came to Saxony from a small town in Thuringia.

Why did you, Sebastian, stay here and why did you, Christian, come here?
Sebastian Arndt: I think my home is great. And my degree programme, Computer Science, is very well established at the TU and high up in the university rankings. Why should I leave?
Christian Bäumler: I wanted to get out of my neighbourhood and into a city where I didn't have to drive twenty minutes to experience something. But then I also didn't want to go to a city, to a university, where I was one of thousands. I wanted to go somewhere where what I do is heard. Where you can really make a difference. So far, I've been really impressed with the TU Chemnitz.

The new semester is just around the corner. Do you have any tips for first-year students? What should they definitely get to know first?
Sebastian Arndt: (ponders) The university, the neighbourhood, the city.
Christian Bäumler: It depends on what you do. Whether you're more of a musician, a sportsman, a bookworm or just one of the party people. There's actually something for everyone. You just have to know where you're going.
Sebastian Arndt: And if it gets too boring, just ask your fellow students. They'll usually give you a good tip.

Have you ever regretted staying here, Sebastian, or coming here, Christian?
Both answer in unison: No.

Did people in your circle of friends look at you strangely when you said: I'm going to Chemnitz?
Christian Bäumler: At first, they might have looked questioningly: Chemnitz, what do you want there? Why don't you go to Jena or Berlin? My answer: Nope, I was never interested, I never wanted to go there and I'm happy in Chemnitz.

Do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz to talk more positively about their city?
Sebastian Arndt: The badmouthers do (laughs). I don't see what's bad about Chemnitz. Chemnitz is beautiful. You have the Ore Mountains on your doorstep, the city isn't as big and crowded as Leipzig, Dresden or Berlin. I like it here.
Christian Bäumler:The people I know in Chemnitz are also proud of their city and don't really want to leave. Except perhaps to gain some experience abroad. Those who are mostly negative come from big cities like Berlin or Dresden and think that there's nothing going on here. You have to honestly tell them to stay in your big city.
Sebastian Arndt: It's all there, you just have to discover it.

Further information about the blog: https://blog.hrz.tu-chemnitz.de/botschafter/