University of Applied Sciences, Fulda

Part Two

In comparison to this very strict and authoritarian system, the German system of education seems very relaxed - a point which is emphasised by both interviewees. ". . . this education system [was foreign], I had heard that master's can be very intensive and we have to work a lot . . . but in comparison to my previous studies, we had 6 days a week classes . . . I had to learn until late at night . . . I thought this will be more intensive, but in reality it was very relaxed . . ."
In ICEUS the students have to decide on many points in their studies. This can lead to stress for those who have never been decisive in the organisation of studies. Interviewee two says: ". . . the way classes are structured [are strange] . . . the whole system of lecturing, passing the exam, that’s a whole new thing and very confusing, I would say, because a lot of things are left, um, on your responsibility and your choice and the stuff. And if you come from a very restricted system you, cannot easily orient within this, this— maze."
Constant changes in the organisation and the fact that a lot of issues in ICEUS were decided upon through negotiations, though not bad in itself, seems very chaotic to someone from a more restrictive system. " . . . a lot of confusion, um , disorder [irritates me] . . ." Interviewee 2 adds, "The idea, I think, is really good, but it is not realised in many points . . ."
For students from Eastern bloc countries as well as many Asian students, the official result of the studies is as important–if not more important–as the knowledge acquired. ". . . I think that the only thing which is important for me is the, the – formal outcome, which is the paper itself, the document, the diploma or whatever it is called, because I figure out 5 years of university in Russia were more than enough to get the idea of how to operate . . . "
On the issue of the city, both interviewees believe the studies would have had better results if presented in a bigger city. ". . . a better place for such a program would be a bigger city with a– a whole lot more institutions corresponding to the context of the program itself . . . the city is obviously lacking the international structure . . . " Interviewee two adds: "International studies and Fulda are two
things which don’t fit together . . . [the atmosphere] is very conservative and very narrow and so on. Maybe it is good, because in this city one needs some kind of variety, something new, something fresh . . . the studies is good for Fulda . . . "