Tips from our PIASTA-Team:
"Hello, this is Seon Hyung from PIASTA IPA team.
I started studying education in the winter semester of 2015. Now, I am almost at the end of my studies, but when I think back to my first day at the university I remember feeling so excited and anxious to get to know the campus and other students. I started my adventure at PIASTA´s Welcome Week. I went to their campus tours, city tours, and information sessions about the library and extracurricular activities on campus. I even met my best friend there! This year, starting the term is especially challenging because of the Corona virus, but PIASTA is offering an online Welcome Week. Come check it out."
Von Jaselle:
"Moin Moin! My name is Jaselle and I am halfway through studying MSc. Politics, Economics and Philosophy. I remember when I first joined and everything seemed overwhelming. Therefore I would recommend reaching out to as many people as possible when you start as there is a lot of comfort to be found in others who are sharing your experiences!
Tips!
1. Download the STiNE app. Not only can you look up your class schedule, but you can also get your results, messages and mensa options directly from there as well. You can also set the widget to appear on your home screen to inform you of which classes you have and where which is extremely helpful when you are first settling into your new schedule.
2. Even though exams seem a long way off, one thing which caught me off guard is the fact that clocks are not present in every room. Usually, the invigilator will announce intervals of time, but I found it more helpful to make sure I had a wristwatch on me during exams so I can keep a check on my own pace.
3. A lot of the facilities on campus only accept EC card. Eateries such as the mensa cafe and the Pony Bar only accept cash - so make sure you have both on you at all times. Banks are pooled into groups in Germany, and depending on which bank you use, you can avoid paying the withdrawal fees. Haspa is well served in and around the uni, but those who bank with the Cash Group banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, HypoVereinsbank, and Postbank) can find an ATM in the (Instagram friendly) postoffice behind the Philosophers Tower.
3. Try to avoid using the printers inside of the campus libraries. Printing can be done much cheaper at the data centre with about 10€ lasting you for a semester of a medium amount of printing (as always, keep the environment in mind before printing!)
4. Always carry your semester ticket with you. Yes, you are entitled to free travel, and no, you don't always have to show your ticket when you board a bus or enter a metro station...but there are inspections and instead of being caught unawares and possibly not having the vocab to explain your situation, it makes for an easy life to have it on your possession with photographic ID just in case.
5. If you don't have your semester ticket on you, you can also buy a ticket directly from the HVV app. It also serves as a timetable/map of Hamburgs transport system.
6. Issues with distance and e-learning environments have been frequently studied. Therefore if you are struggling with the imposed learning environment which you were not intending to have as your primary method of education, reach out to someone as soon as possible. Keep in mind that this is a set of circumstances which has never been seen before, therefore any feelings of uncertainty that you may be feeling are likely to be completely valid.
PIASTA and UHH have several counselling services (I didn't name them explicitly in case-specific ones are going to be created relating to the isolation period), which can provide assistance where needed. "
Von Gabriele:
"For Ersties:
luckily there are a lot of places to get informed, the only thing you have to know is: who has to do with what?
So as a quick rundown:
Campus center for enrollment, changing course of studies etc.
RRZ for problems with STiNE (just the website eg. You can’t login with your data)
Your faculty’s offices for anything regarding your courses (contacts are, like with most things, on the uni hamburg website)
Studierendenwerk for housing and possible ways to finance your studies
For internationals, worth noting, Asta can help you with burocracy, taxes and such.
I think that is the one thing you really need, just know where to ask things.
Comfort food:
Instant noodles are usually not bought out (like pasta and bread, which would be my general staples), and I would recommend just adding a couple boiled eggs and have a very nice meal in the blink of an eye, and for very cheap as well. I recommend the brand “yumyum” (#notsponsored), and if you generally like soy sauce, “sobas” are great."
