Claudia Salanje

Like many of my fellow students, I spent a year abroad after graduating from high school as part of a federal voluntary service - more precisely, in Tanzania. Enthusiastic about the country and its people and fascinated by the sometimes completely different, sometimes exactly the same attitudes and ways of life of the people, it soon became clear to me that I would like to learn more about it. I stumbled upon the study programme "African Culture & Society", which I liked immediately.

Apart from a handful of introductory seminars, you have the opportunity to choose between very different courses according to your interests. During my bachelor's programme, for example, I studied peace and conflict research, protest movements, knowledge and migration, the life of nomads, music and much more. The range of topics is diversified and caters for all tastes of interest.

Another great thing about studying in Bayreuth is the small number of students and the close and cordial contact with the lecturers. This almost familiar atmosphere leads to very fruitful discussions during seminars which give rise to many new ideas.

I am also studying the Master's programme "African Culture & Society" here in Bayreuth which kind of proofs how much I like it here. Comparable to the Bachelor's programme, the choice of topics is very diverse as well and the courses even smaller. Another unique feature of this programme is the largely financed field research in an African country that is guided by two lecturers. Carrying out research from thematic and methodological planning to actual fieldwork and evaluation is a huge scientific and personal enrichment that I can recommend to everyone.