On April 30, 2022, the first orientation meeting for the 2021 intake of double masters students of CESL to study in Europe was successfully held online. Shi Jiahu, CESL double master from the 2011 intake, Li Yifan, CESL double master from the 2015 intake, and Huang Shuai, CESL double master also from the 2015 intake, were invited to the orientation meeting to introduce their experiences of studying, living and also applying for PhD studies in Germany. MA Anna, CESL Teaching Administrator, presided over the meeting, and more than 80 people, including the 2021 double masters, who are going to study in Europe, participated in the orientation meeting.
Huang Shuai, CESL double master from the 2015 intake who is currently studying for PhD at the University of Hamburg, shared his learning experiences in Germany. He mainly explained the use of libraries and related resources, English dissertation writing and other issues. In terms of the use of the library and related resources, he introduced the electronic data databases of the University of Hamburg, such as Beck online, Julis and Startseite. He provided an overview of their utility and the procedures required to enter the library for study, and explained the campus network and course selection. In the writing of his degree thesis in English, he gave tips on the determination of topics, material collection, footnote specification and structural logic. He also stressed that more exchanges should be made with the instructors in order to determine the specific topic as soon as possible, and students should pay attention to the papers' compliance with European academic writing rules.
Li Yifan, also a CESL double master from the 2015 intake who is currently studying for PhD at the University of Hamburg, introduced her life experiences in many aspects, such as pre-trip preparations, settling-in, insurances and medical treatments after entry, purchase of living materials, travel and security. She stressed the importance of registering the residence permit after arriving in Germany, as a residence permit is required in many cases, such as activating a bank account, handling post entry insurance, registering as a student, etc. Therefore, students should ask whether they can apply for the residence permit when looking for a room. As far as the situation of Covid-19 is concerned, she said that Hamburg is currently gradually lifting various epidemic prevention measures. Everyone should carefully take precautions, but there is no need to panic. She also told some matters needing special attention when living abroad, such as checking the mailbox frequently and paying bills on time, paying attention to intellectual property protections when obtaining learning materials, and guarding against fraud when living abroad.
Shi Jiahui, a CESL double master from the 2011 intake who just received her PhD degree from the University of Cologne, introduced the living environment in Cologne. She explained that Cologne is a prosperous and developed city and a major transportation center of Germany. Cologne is close to Dusseldorf, Bonn, the Netherlands and other cities, and is famous for the Cologne Cathedral. It is a good place to study. Then she shared her experiences in applying for a PhD in Germany. She said that on the one hand, students can pay attention to the selection notice of the CUPL graduate school, and on the other hand, they can communicate with German professors during their master's degree study in Germany and remain in contact with their tutors in the future.
During the Q&A session, the three alumni and MA Anna carefully and patiently answered the students' questions about Hamburg, including rent, settling-in, living expenses, epidemic prevention, and other related issues. They wished everyone a memorable and meaningful time in Europe.
Information Session for CESL's 2021-intake Double Master's Study in Europe was Successfully Held
Written by: Wang Bijia, CESL Double Master student from 2021 intake
Translated by: Wei Yixuan
