“Friday Is Short Yet Somehow Long” – Christina Pavin on Her University Weekend at HIU
"Friday is the shortest lecture day – and yet it's somehow long," laughs Christina Pavin, a Health Education student. For her, the university weekend starts online – and while that's practical, she sometimes wishes for more variety. But once the in-person phase begins, that's when the real magic starts.
Teaching in the part-time Health Education and Applied Therapy Sciences programs takes place on university weekends. Unlike the full-time Psychology or Digital Health programs with weekday schedules, these students spend Friday to Sunday together.
"I study Health Education and I'm incredibly glad to not only learn pedagogical content theoretically but to actually experience pedagogy from different lecturers and try things out myself. Didactics can be learned in theory, but teaching experience must be gained. My cohort provides a space where I dare to try out new methods during presentations."
On in-person benefits: "Presence is the most important building block for me. Group dynamics and synergies can hardly be created through a screen. We've become a close community as a cohort and have often motivated each other. And our shared meal planning for the university weekend wouldn't be possible without being there in person."
On the participatory approach: "I find the teaching at HIU very participatory – we students are often included in shaping the weekend schedule and can choose our preferred methods. This flexibility is very pleasant."
On work-life balance: "Through the participatory approach, solutions can always be found to combine family or work with the university weekend. Even if family has to come along – such as nursing mothers – that's no problem. I find it wonderful how openly and understandingly the realities of students' lives are handled here."
Tips for new students: "You don't really need much preparation. Anyone who wants to develop professionally will learn a lot at HIU, and time passes much faster in person than alone at a screen at home."