Get out of your own bubble - new students start their first semester at the get-together
Hundreds of new students have been ensuring a lively campus since 6 October 2025 - just one week before the start of lectures. To kick off the Orientation week for the winter semester 2025/26, many of them came to the Gräfin-Dönhoff-Building on Monday morning. In the afternoon, the get-together in the Kleist Forum was festive and entertaining. In the coming days, the student councils will provide first-hand information about studying, the city and the best places to go out and other things.
The hustle and bustle in the foyer of the Gräfin-Dönhoff-Building leaves no doubt: the winter semester has begun. On 6 October, first-semester students in particular will meet here, learn about support services at the Viadrina and get to know their study courses better. To kick things off, Vice President Prof. Dr Christoph Brömmelmeyer welcomes the new students to the lecture hall before the information events of the Faculties and study courses begin.
Orientation week kicks off on campus
In the afternoon, the first groups have already gathered. Together they flock to the get-together organised by the Viadrina, the city and the Kleist Forum. In a cultural speed dating session, author Ken Yamamoto introduces Frankfurt's Mayor Claus Junghanns, Viadrina Vice President Janine Nuyken, student Laura Noethe, Frederic-Marc Jürgensen, Managing Director of the City Sports Association, and Daniel Heinz, Artistic Director of the cabaret "Oderhähne". All of the speakers on stage encouraged the audience in the hall to engage with the city and the university with curiosity and without hesitation. "You can help shape a lot here, you don't have to ask if it bothers anyone, just do it!" appeals Claus Junghanns. Janine Nuyken admits that Frankfurt does not immediately stand out for its exuberant beauty. "But you can experience Frankfurt, discover it at second glance and help shape it - that's why it's the ideal place for the Viadrina," she says.
Get-together at the Kleist Forum
Law student Laura Noethe has a special tip for first-semester students: "If you feel like getting involved, don't be afraid! Do what you want to do. You'll grow into it." According to Laura Noethe, getting involved is enormously enriching, if only because of the variety of perspectives and people that you would otherwise never get to know in your own bubble.
Many of the students in the foyer of the Kleist Forum responded to Ken Yamamoto's invitation to start the networking over a free beer afterwards. The words of Frankfurt's mayor were echoing in their ears: "We are delighted that you are here."
Translated by DeepL and edited
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