Studying at the Viadrina with the fast track programme: University welcomes students from Uzbekistan

On a warm summer evening in July, numerous participants of the various Viadrina fast tracks gradually arrive at the verbuendungshaus fforst. A buffet is waiting inside, the bar staff is ready to serve lemonade and you can hear the first table tennis balls on the table. The only thing missing are the guests from Uzbekistan. This evening, they can get a small glimpse of what might be waiting for them next year.

The students from Uzbekistan have come to Frankfurt (Oder) for a one-week intensive language course to improve their language skills and familiarise themselves with the region and the university. For many of them, this is their first visit to Europe. The local language course is part of a new cooperation between a lyceum in Tashkent and the Viadrina. In the last two years of their school career, the pupils are being prepared for studying at the European University. The project was launched a year ago and is constantly evolving. The idea is to offer pupils the prospect of studying in a European context and at the same time to attract future students from other countries in order to strengthen the region.

They arrive a little late. There has been a delay in the day's schedule. The long journey a few days ago is still troubling them and the programme is extensive. A visit to the Uzbek embassy in Berlin is on the programme for the next day. The language course is intensive, there are many new impressions, different languages - it's all quite a lot at once, but they are motivated to learn the language and show great interest. "We are very keen for our students to start their studies at the Viadrina because German higher education is very beneficial," says their teacher Makhtumkuli Mallaev, who is guiding the school group from Uzbekistan to Frankfurt. "They are being trained here to become good specialists," he adds. The group of visitors from the Uzbek capital Tashkent are very interested in German culture and interculturalism in Frankfurt. "The Viadrina has a long history. On the border of Poland and Germany, two cultures, two peoples - there is a lot to experience. The question of how many people from different nations can live here in peace - that is very important for the students," emphasises Mallaev, quoting Heinrich Heine.

"I think Frankfurt (Oder) is great, I love the culture here," says 16-year-old Sardor. He would like to study something related to politics. Sador only started learning German with the others a year ago. In the second year, he will receive more support from the Viadrina through a joint concept and language lessons will be intensified. Depending on the focus of interest, specialist language is also included in the programme. For Shokhjakon, who is also part of the group and would like to study economics, this means learning economics vocabulary, for example. At the end of the two-year programme, the students will have reached level B2 or C1. After their A-levels, they take part in the Viadrina College fast track programme in order to start their studies in the winter semester.

The Viadrina College offers people who lack a further education admissions certificate for German universities several opportunities to acquire one. This is because Germany does not necessarily recognise international school-leaving qualifications as a further education admissions certificate. In order to be able to study here nevertheless, you can prepare for studying in Germany in a one-year preparatory college or start studying in your country of origin. After a certain period of study, it is possible to transfer to a German university, but then you usually have to start your studies all over again.

This is a time-consuming process that involves a lot of bureaucracy. There is often one to two years between leaving school and starting university. The various Viadrina fast track programmes prevent this. After leaving school, prospective students can complete a three-month preparatory course at the Viadrina in the summer, which also includes a German course if required. After successfully completing the course, participants are then entitled to start studying at the Viadrina in October.

One of the students taking part in the fast track this year is Linh Nguyen Dieu. She is starting to study economics in autumn. "The fast track has given me the opportunity to continue studying German and to prepare for the German language test for university entrance," she says and is particularly pleased with the international nature of the programme: "It's really nice that I've made so many friends from different countries." London Wedel feels the same way. He is from the USA and has also decided to study economics. There are several reasons why he is taking part in the fast track: "Studying at the Viadrina was the best option for me. One of the most important reasons was that I was able to start the fast track in July. I have a lot of time to prepare for my studies with the preliminary courses, get to know the city and make new friends. That makes me happy."

The students from Tashkent were able to gain a small insight into what a summer in Frankfurt and at the Viadrina might look like during the evening at fforst. But first they have to pass the Uzbek A-levels before they can start the fast track themselves next year.

Translated by Deepl and edited