40 students have been studying medicine at the university every year since 2012: Anke Strautmann and André Fitze are two of them. They are studying "Human Medicine" in their second semester, the first medical degree programme in Germany to take place across borders.
"We were welcomed with a breakfast on the first day. The students, lecturers and the Dean's Office all took part. We then discussed what to expect," recalls Anke. The medical student body organised an orientation week. They organised a city and campus rally as well as a pub evening. The focus was on getting to know each other.
"40 people, that's a pleasant group size. We quickly memorised each other's names and immediately did something together," explains Anke. Cohesion is also very important during the degree programme. When Anke had problems finding accommodation, she stayed with fellow students. "We are a close-knit community," explains André. "It's not like other degree programmes with 300 students, where you don't even notice if someone falls by the wayside. With us, everyone is looked after."
When Anke and André started their degree programme, they were particularly surprised by the amount of learning they had to do. They both realised that studying medicine meant cramming. But not to this extent. "I did an advanced biology course. What we went through there was over after two weeks of medical school," laughs Anke. "I was simply overwhelmed by the amount of material at the beginning." At the beginning, they both agree, the only thing that helps is gritting your teeth. But over time, you find a rhythm for dealing with the challenges. That's why they give all students the following tip: "Don't let it get you down! Don't stress too much, even if the start is bumpy and you fail a written exam. That's completely normal. Find your own learning system, your own pace."
While students on other degree programmes are busy drawing up their timetables and wading through the courses on offer, medical students already have theirs. But the corset also harbours some pitfalls: Anke and André are part of the second intake to study medicine in Oldenburg. "I know exactly what to expect in four years' time. But if I want to ask a student from a higher semester for advice, I can't do that. So far, no one has gone through medical school in Oldenburg," says André.
That's why the Dean's Office meets with the Medicine student body every Wednesday to clarify questions about the degree programme. "We have a big say and are listened to a lot," reports Anke. This is probably not the case with other 'traditional' medical degree programmes. What's more, everyone involved is committed and passionate about finding a solution if things go wrong during the course. Witnessing this is simply a great feeling and is incredibly motivating.
What's more, studying medicine in Oldenburg has plenty of moments that make cramming worthwhile. It is very patient- and practice-orientated. Students have contact with patients right from the start. "On other medical degree programmes, you study theory for two years and then get a fright when you're suddenly standing in front of a patient. Help, a patient, what am I supposed to do with him!" laughs Anke. That's not the case in Oldenburg. Right in the first lecture - a so-called patient lecture - a patient was present who described his medical history to the students and answered their questions.
Less than three months into the degree programme, the first internship with a GP followed, during which the students were able to put into practice what they had learnt in theory. "The internship was a real injection of motivation - you suddenly saw what studying brings - because you mustn't forget that behind all the learning is the academic appointment of a doctor, and that really is a great profession," says André.
