My First Semester: Freedom, Responsibility, and a Lot of “Wie?”

Okay, deep breath. It’s been six months since I landed in Berlin, and honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster. Moving here was amazing – the culture, the food, the sheer energy of the city – but it’s also been… challenging. Specifically, navigating university has been a huge lesson in both German and, surprisingly, in what it actually means to be responsible, especially when it comes to academic freedom.

The Initial Confusion – “Wie Funktioniert Das?”

My first few weeks at the Universität der Künste (University of the Arts) were mostly just… confusion. Everything felt so different. The way people talked, the speed of everything, even the way they took notes! I kept saying “Wie funktioniert das?” (How does that work?) to my classmates. Seriously, I asked it at least five times a day. It wasn’t just about the logistics of the classes; it was about understanding the unspoken rules.

I had this initial idea of academic freedom being, like, super open and wild. I pictured professors just letting us run with projects, bouncing ideas around, completely questioning everything. The reality was… a bit more structured.

My First Seminar: “Kritische Diskussion”

My German seminar, “Kritische Diskussion” (Critical Discussion) about contemporary art, was particularly eye-opening. We were assigned to read a really dense article by a German artist, Hans Bellmer, and then we had to discuss it. I was so eager to challenge his ideas!

I started off by saying, “Herr Professor, aber ich finde diese Darstellung sehr problematisch! (Professor, but I find this representation very problematic!)” He listened patiently, nodded, and then said, “Ja, das ist ein wichtiger Punkt. (Yes, that’s an important point.)” But then he asked me, “Und wie würden Sie diese Problematik lösen?” (And how would you solve this problem?).

I floundered. I hadn’t thought about solving it! I realized I wasn’t just supposed to criticize; I needed to offer a potential solution, even if it was just a starting point for discussion. I ended up saying something incredibly clumsy like, “Vielleicht… mehr Kontext?” (Maybe… more context?).

He smiled and said, “Vielleicht. Aber es geht um eine kritische Auseinandersetzung, nicht nur um das Stellen von Fragen.” (Maybe. But it’s about a critical engagement, not just asking questions.)

Key Phrases & Vocabulary

Here are some phrases I’ve found incredibly useful:

• “Ich bin noch am Anfang.” (I’m still at the beginning.) – Useful for admitting you’re learning.
• “Könnten Sie das bitte erklären?” (Could you please explain that?) – My go-to when I don’t understand.
• “Ich verstehe nicht ganz.” (I don’t quite understand.) – It’s okay to admit this!
• “Was ist die Frage?” (What’s the question?) – Often, I’ve realized I haven’t fully processed what I was asked.
• “Ich habe eine andere Perspektive.” (I have a different perspective.) – Important for contributing to discussions.

Responsibility in the Academic Sphere

I’ve learned that academic freedom isn’t just about being allowed to challenge ideas. It’s also about taking responsibility for your participation. This means:

• Preparing for class: Reading the materials beforehand – essential! I used to show up completely lost, and it wasn’t fair to the professor or my classmates.
• Contributing constructively: Not just interrupting, but offering thoughtful points and considering other viewpoints.
• Respecting differing opinions: Even if I disagree strongly, it’s important to express my views respectfully. I’ve learned that shouting down someone isn’t productive, no matter how passionate I am.

A Small Victory (and a Big Lesson)

Last week, we were discussing the influence of German Expressionism on modern art. I felt confident in my knowledge and actually managed to articulate a complex idea – about the artists’ use of distorted forms to represent inner turmoil – without completely losing my mind.

The professor said, “Das ist eine sehr gute Analyse.” (That’s a very good analysis.) It felt amazing! But the real lesson wasn’t just about the analysis itself. It was about the effort and the willingness to engage.

Moving Forward

I’m still making mistakes. I still ask “Wie funktioniert das?” way too often. But I’m learning. I’m learning that academic freedom is a privilege, a responsibility, and a messy, wonderful process of questioning, exploring, and, yes, occasionally getting a little lost. And I’m slowly, but surely, becoming more comfortable – and more confident – in my voice. Next semester, I’m aiming to be less “Wie?” and more “Was?” – and maybe, just maybe, a little bit more “Gut!” (Good!)