Discovering a New Classroom Culture as an International Student

I still remember my first day attending classes at htw saar. I was excited about starting my Master’s journey in Germany, but at the same time, I felt a little overwhelmed by the new academic environment. One of the first things that surprised me was the no-attendance policy. Coming from an education system where attendance was mandatory, I initially wondered whether this approach would work for me. However, with time, I realized that this freedom also came with responsibility. Without the pressure of mandatory attendance, I became more motivated to manage my own learning and participate in classes because I wanted to, not because I had to.

This helped me develop a more independent approach to studying. Another aspect that positively influenced my experience was the supportive classroom environment created by many professors at htw saar. Whenever I had questions, professors took the time to answer them patiently and encouraged discussions. This made me feel comfortable asking questions, sharing my thoughts, and actively participating in class.

Looking back, adapting to this classroom culture was one of my first lessons about studying in Germany: academic freedom is not about doing less, but about becoming more responsible for your own learning.