MHH and AStA welcome new students to ten study programmes. New this year is the Master's programme in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.
A warm welcome: MHH and AStA welcome more than 600 First Semester Students to eleven study programmes. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH
Clara Glomb and Yasmin Cao (from left) from the Human medicine Student representation showed what was inside the ‘first semester student bags’. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH
AStA representative Julian Köppen guides the First Semester Students through the two lecture hall buildings. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH
A warm welcome: On Monday, more than 600 young people began their studies in one of ten study programmes at Hanover Medical School (MHH). The largest group, 320 first-year students, began their studies in human medicine in the HannibaL model programme, including 18 students who were awarded a place through the rural doctor quota. Eighty young people are beginning their studies in dentistry, and 35 are studying midwifery. Another 109 young people have begun master's programmes in biochemistry, biomedicine, biomedical data science or public health at MHH, and 70 have begun doctoral programmes at the Hannover Biomedical Research School (HBRS). The new master's programme in clinical psychology and psychotherapy is starting with 20 students.
‘I wish you a great start,’ said MHH President Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, welcoming the first-year students. ‘Make lots of contacts with each other and don't be discouraged: we are all here for you!’ The Dean of Studies for Human medicine, Prof. Dr. Christian Mühlfeld, added: ‘I am here as Dean of Studies and as Professor of Anatomy, so we will be seeing each other frequently over the next few weeks. The programme focuses on the patient. You will already have patient contact next week.’ Dr Alexandros Rahn from the paediatric clinic also congratulated the new students on their places at university. He was in their shoes 13 years ago. ‘Don't worry, you don't have to know everything right from the start, but you should be willing to learn. And it's best to do that together.’
‘Learn with each other and from each other.’
The Dean of Studies in dentistry, Prof. Dr. Harald Tschernitschek, congratulated the new dentistry students and emphasised: ‘We have just completed the first new phantom course room. With the universal course room still under construction and the virtual 3D simulators, your study place is equipped with the latest digital technology.’ Dentist Rahel Leithoff from the MHH-clinic for Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry added: ‘It's a great and practical course that brings people together.’
Dr Marion Charlotte Renneberg, Vice-President of the Lower Saxony Medical Association, also took part in the welcome event. ‘You have chosen an excellent university and a particularly wonderful profession,’ she emphasised as a former MHH graduate of the Human medicine study programme. Her advice: ‘Exchange ideas, learn a lot with and from each other, including from other health professions at this university.’
AStA organises ‘orientation week’
Experienced and committed students at MHH ensure that new students settle in well at their university. The AStA's orientation week group organises an official ‘orientation week’ for new students in human medicine: a colourful programme of activities to get to know each other and find your feet. ‘You've made it.’ Congratulations on your place at university,‘ said Julian Köppen, AStA representative for first-year students and practical year students, welcoming the new students in Human medicine a few days earlier. ’We are delighted to have you here and will take good care of you." Then there were the MHH first-year folders with access data, enrolment cards and digital key cards. Small tours of the two large lecture hall buildings provided an initial orientation on the MHH campus.
‘I feel very welcome’
Janna Stroers from the county of Bentheim and Hannah Jacob tor Weihen from Gütersloh are two of the 320 ‘First Semester Students’ with one of the coveted places to study medicine. ‘I didn't expect to see some of the MHH buildings and rooms during the initial welcome and to meet students from higher years. I really liked this opportunity,’ said Janna Stroers after the tour. "It gave me confidence and the feeling that I'm not alone with all these new things and all my questions in my head. I felt very welcome and believe that this will help me during the orientation week and when I start my studies. Hannah Jacob tor Weihen is also convinced of this: ‘I particularly liked the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that everyone tried to take away our fears and nervousness about this new phase of life.’ During the tour, she also got a first impression of the size of the MHH campus and picked up valuable tips and advice about studying.
First time in the ‘Präpsaal’
Julian Köppen took the two students to the changing room of the ‘Präpsaal’ during his tour. This is where most medical students in the anatomy course come into contact with a corpse for the first time. ‘It smells a bit strong, but not like corpses, more like chemicals,’ said the AStA representative, dispelling any preconceptions and reassuring them: "Don't worry, no one is alone here. Coming into contact with death is an unpleasant feeling for everyone, but you'll get used to it." He showed the new students the lockers and advised them to wear old clothes and perhaps get an extra lab coat.
Lab coat fitting in the ‘living room’
Then it was off to the ‘living room’ of the MHH students, where the Human medicine student representation had lab coats ready for fitting and the contents of the ‘freshers' bag’. All new students at the university receive this during orientation week. The free version contains goodies and information material. Those who want to make things easier for themselves can also buy the large bag, which contains a prep set and lab coat as well as a diagnostic light, gloves and a reflex hammer. In any case, all new medical students receive a valuable stethoscope as a welcome gift. But first, the new students need to settle in at MHH, get their bearings and make their first contacts, emphasised Julian Köppen: ‘During orientation week, you should definitely not be studying, but having lots of fun!’
Further information can be found on the MHH website: https://www.mhh.de/studium.
Text: Bettina Dunker