The semester is under way – but how’s it going?

After three semesters of online courses, the Uni Bremen campus is, since this past October, filled with life again. Under strict conditions, lectures and seminars are once again being held in person and many students are also returning to the dining hall (“Mensa”) and the university library. We asked around on campus to find out how students are getting on.

“It's all right, sometimes I'm just afraid I'll forget my ID card and miss a class because of that. The pitfalls of university life have changed a lot," says one student. At present, all entrances to university buildings are controlled by security guards – admission is only possible for those are vaccinated, recovered or tested, with proof and ID card. From 18.00 buildings are closed until the next morning.

"I think it's good that the Mensa is open again; without it, studying is a lot less fun," says another student. The full university experience – not only classes but also the Mensa [dining hall], time in the library and the GW2 cafeteria, spontaneous conversations with fellow students – that's something the third-year students are also able to enjoy for the first time.

While there is generally a lot of understanding for the restrictions put in place to limit risk, there is also frustration: "Wearing the mask all the time really gets on my nerves. When I'm on campus from 8.00 to 18.00, I'm totally spent in the evening and I'm positive that the stress from the mask is part of the reason why," says one student.

All in all, students seem happy to be able to actively participate in campus life again. One student sums it up: "Well, I understand the measures taken by the university and the rectorate. And quite honestly, I'm sure everyone agrees on that. Even if it's not perfect, after the online semesters we're all glad that we're allowed back on campus and can interact with other people again. It's not so bad, you can learn to deal with it."

P.S. Starting December 13, due to the current Corona situation, classes will be held online until at least early January with a few exceptions.