Arnisa is one of our alumni and graduated last year with the MSc European Urban Studies. Although she has graduated, she is not done with Weimar and BUW just yet, and we are here for it! Find out more about her path in academia after graduation below.
Master’s degree at BUW: M.Sc. European Urban Studies
Graduation: 2022
Master's thesis topic: Strategies of self-employed migrant women in family-run restaurants during the COVID-19 Pandemic. An analysis of transformed workspaces
What are you doing at the moment?
Since October 2022, I have worked as a fellow at the DFG Research Training Group 2227 "Identity and Heritage" at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar on the Demolition of the National Theatre in Tirana during the COVID-19-Pandemic.
How was your transition from being a student to your current position?
I had a not-so-common experience. I saw the position at the DFG Research Training Group on "Identity and Heritage“ and wanted this job. I just focussed on this one, worked parallel to my master thesis on my PhD exposé and trained for the job interview. At the same time, other great positions were published, but I didn't apply and put everything into this application, which scared me from time to time. In the end, it worked out. I still can't believe it sometimes. So basically, I got the first job I applied to, and it was the job I wanted. In the summertime, from my Master's to my current position, I wanted to be active and went by bike alone to Belgium. I couldn't do my GRP in Brussels due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so I needed to somehow close this "Brussel-hole" in my heart and went by bike to Brussels and up to the coast and made great friends and memories on the way.
What have you learned during your studies that benefit you now in your working life the most?
In December, I had my first colloquium at the Research Training Group, and it reminded me of the colloquium in our GRP. I was not as nervous as I expected. In EUS, you get prepared how to structure your research and communicate it through short presentations to others. Further, I'm thankful to my colleagues from my Master's program who shared so many insights from their home countries, which makes it easier for me to consider other perspectives but also understand the importance of my current colleagues' research topics on a European or Global level.
Do you have any further tips and remarks for current (international) students joining the job market in Germany?
Give yourself time to learn the language and a new culture and find your position in the job market. It's already so brave you came and studied here. Be kind, understanding and patient with yourself. It takes time to join the job market for everyone. I’m sure you are doing your best. Also, talk to your fellow German students/friends/teachers if they have recommendations or networks or can help you. You don't have to do this all by yourself.
What was the project you were most passionate about in the past years?
With one of my best friends from EUS Dilşad Aladağ, we started a pandemic diary project called "Hajde", where women and/or queer people from Germany, the Balkans and Turkey documented their experiences during the pandemic in a diary. So I have been experimenting with different ways of journaling, and it continues to be so much fun.
Can you tell anything about the most influential parts of your study experience at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (e.g. interests, courses, GRP, extracurricular activities)?
I'm truly thankful for getting to know different perspectives through my colleagues in EUS due to their academic and personal backgrounds. I feel much more connected to many places in the world now, and although we don't see each other all the time anymore, there's an open door in many cities around the globe for me through them.
I have worked during my GRP on the effects of the right-wing terrorist attack in Hanau on the city, and I learned so much about how to research in emotional contexts. Also, I have met many strong characters in Hanau who keep on fighting against right-wing terrorism and who continue to inspire me up till now.
Which advice would you give your younger student-self if you could?
Take breaks! You have enough time. :)
In what ways are you still connected to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and your course peers?
While working at the Bauhaus-Universität in Weimar now, I still see some study colleagues, professors or student coordinators, which is beautiful. Otherwise, I try to follow up on my colleagues' life through social media. Of course, many memories we made in my EUS still pop up in my daily life and make me smile.