I was not sure what to expect when I decided to study Informatics at the TUM.  In college I had gotten informed about the various study possibilities and finally chose Informatics. The university's semester introduction days, the  Anfängercafe (Beginner's Cafe) and the math pre-course provided me with good insight into what would be in store for me. After an admittedly challenging first semester, which included a crash course in programming, and 5 further semesters, I still feel that my decision to study informatics at the TUM was the right one.

The  region one of the best IT locations and the Faculty of Informatics at the TU has an almost unbeatable reputation in Germany. This was clear to me from the beginning; what is really made evident daily at the TU is the Faculty's professional and very sympathetic and relaxed teaching atmosphere. Employees and tutors are open and friendly, the course offering is extensive and flexible, the research at the highest level. The teachers are also not inapproachable, but rather they are mostly easy to get a hold of. Also, even if (or maybe because) the Garching Campus is somewhat further away from the Munich city center, the Math-Informatics-Magistrale feels as though it is a second home with its giant slide and the two giant palm trees (that are sometimes there and sometimes not); the Magistrale and especially the coffee machine is the starting point to meet people and exchange news. Besides the many Study-Parties over the year, the student festivals  studentischen Festivals (Tunix, Garnix, StuStaCulum) are a highlight in the summer time.

As I was already in the SMV during my school days, since the beginning of my course of study I became involved in student representation  studentischen Vertretung. Higher education policy not only gives one revealing insight behind the scenes of faculty life and the opportunity to make contacts but it provides one with soft skill training which may be more intensive than any seminar. The degree of student representative participation is often underestimated nowadays, for instance students take active part in the decision making for the deployment of student fees, they influence what new Professors will be appointed for the TUM and contribute to examination regulations. Therefore, I strongly recommend everyone to get involved in higher education policy as this experience can also be applied to activities and interests outside of university life.

I am very satisfied with my Informatics studies at the TU München and I warmly recommend everyone to visit our wonderful Magistrale in Garching.