Gauss-Telegraph: 17 international people in Braunschweig – Sarra Torjemane

Gauss-Telegraph: 17 international people in Braunschweig – Sarra Torjemane

by Lena Heinecke

  1. Where are you from and how old are you? What are you studying?

I am from Tunisia and I am 21 years old. I study mechanical engineering in my 3rd year.

  1. Why did you choose Braunschweig as the place for your stay abroad?

The TU Braunschweig had a good reputation, so I was very happy when my application was successful and I was accepted.

  1. When and how long did you live in BS? What do you do now?

From October 2016 to June 2018 I studied in Braunschweig. Right now, I live in Ottawa in Canada and continue my studies at the University of Ottawa.

  1. Do you have a favourite place in Braunschweig?

My favorite places are the Gauss Haus, the Old Town Market and the Bürgerpark.

  1. How did you meet the Gauss Friends?

I got to know the Gauss Friends through the university, where we were given a flyer with a list of activities for the international students. I wanted to meet new people, so I went to the event at Gauss Haus on a Tuesday.

  1. Why and how did you become a board member of the Gauss Friends?

I found it interesting to become a board member and wanted to take on more responsibility. During a general meeting I was elected as treasurer and it was a great job with an amazing team.

  1. What do you wish the Gauss Friends for the future of the association?

I wish them a lot of success and that they can realize even more projects. It would also be interesting if they became known outside of Germany.

  1. What are your personal Gauss highlights?

My first event about Tunisia, at which I gave a presentation, among other things, was very exciting. It was also a great moment when I was elected during the General Assembly and that we then organized our first party (Weltoffene Party, to set an example against discrimination) during the board work. Besides that, the atmosphere every Tuesday is simply indescribable, so it’s definitely a highlight as well.

  1. What would you describe as the special feature of the Gauss Haus?

The Gauss Haus feels like a home and all members get along well with each other. The multicultural aspect is of course especially noteworthy; it is an international meeting place where many people from many countries visit and get to know each other.

  1. What´s your favourite event or activity at Gauss Haus?

I really liked the Santa Gauss event at Christmas, as well as the international parties and the Mexican festival Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Also, the excursions were always a great experience, especially hiking in the Harz Mountains and the excursion to Berlin which lasted several days. I also always liked to go out for soup with some other Gauss Friends after the events on Tuesday evening.

  1. What was difficult for you when you were new in BS and what was easier than expected?

I found it difficult to live alone and to get used to the university. However, it was easier than expected to get to know a lot of people, which was certainly also because of the Gauss Friends.

  1. What culture did you learn most about during your time at Gauss Haus?

I learned a lot about Indian and Russian culture through the lectures and theme nights as well as the contact with the people in the Gauss-Haus. In general, I learned a lot about the cultures in South America, especially about Mexican culture.

  1. What do you miss most about Germany, Braunschweig and the Gauss Friends?

I miss Germany in general, all my friends, the landscape and life in Germany, e.g. the beer haha. What I miss most about Braunschweig are my friends, the activities, the international cooking with my friends and the Michaelishoffest in summer. I also miss the whole team of the Gauss Friends very much! We were like a family.

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