Start of winter semester 2024/25: University welcomes newcomers with induction days

Ms. Kaluza, how long have you been planning the induction days?

The induction days are one of those events that have to be planned well in advance and with extensive coordination. That’s why the initial preparations began back in May. The first official planning meeting then took place on June 19.

Ms. Bohrisch, you yourself studied at Hof University of Applied Sciences and later played a key role in developing the concept for the induction days: What is the focus, what is particularly important for our newcomers?

Networking is at the heart of the induction days. Networking with Hof University of Applied Sciences, with fellow students and beyond. The first few weeks are crucial to really settle into your studies and Hof and the other campuses. A tip from me to the first-year students: get involved! Get involved beyond your studies, e.g. in one of our student initiatives. You’ll get a practical impression and you’ll also have a lot of fun!

An extensive program awaits our new freshmen: What are the highlights that you shouldn’t miss out on?

The focus of the varied program is of course on getting to know your fellow students and discovering the Hof University campus. Mentors are on hand to give our first-year students valuable tips on student life in Hof. To ensure that the time between lectures remains exciting, cultural representatives from the city of Hof and all student initiatives introduce themselves during the introductory days. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, get involved in a variety of projects and enjoy campus life to the full from the very beginning!

The mentors are an important part of this. What exactly is their role on site?

The first semester students are supported by our mentors during the introductory days – but also beyond the first semester. These are committed and experienced students from higher semesters who make the start to university life easier for the first semester students. They welcome the new students, give them an initial orientation and make them feel welcome. As part of the campus rally, they show the first-year students important places on campus such as lecture halls, the library, canteen and contact points for student services. They also provide valuable initial insights into the relevant degree program and life on campus. They share their own experiences and answer questions such as: ‘Which modules are particularly challenging?’, ‘Which exams require special preparation?’, ‘Which professors are particularly helpful?’, ‘Where do the best student parties actually take place?’ and ‘Where can I make friends if I like to do sports? Our mentors are therefore an important point of contact during the induction days and beyond. They support first-year students with questions about studying and the campus, give practical tips and refer them to the right places if necessary.

The induction day program is certainly teamwork: Who all is involved?

The core team is Denise Bohrisch, Anke Kaluza and Constanze Scheibl-Barnickel. Every year we are also supported by a student assistant. This year, as last year, we are being supported by Celine Grenz. What is new is that the event management team from University Communications is also helping us out. Nadine Michael and Christian Sturm joined the team in June.

That sounds great. Does the city of Hof itself also offer a welcome evening for the new students?

Yes, and we are very happy about that. The city of Hof is once again inviting all first-semester students to a welcome party in the Hof Theater on the evening of 2 October. Last year’s premiere turned out to be a very nice party, where you could not only get to know the location and Hof’s leisure activities, but also many fellow students.

How important is the initial information for the start of the semester in general – and what happens if you miss it for some reason?

The induction days offer new students important orientation and structure for the start of the semester. They help them to quickly find their way around Hof University of Applied Sciences and ensure a smooth start to everyday student life. They also offer the opportunity to make initial contacts – often the start of friendships or study groups that accompany your studies. You should therefore never miss them! If this happens anyway, Hof University’s ErstiApp provides all the important information, dates and contact persons. The app also gives you the opportunity to network with other students on your degree course and thus make the best possible start to your studies.