Intergenerational Meetup in Freiburg “a microcosm of the best in the world”
Text: Elizabeth (MEG18), Lukas (MEG17), Yourui (MEG16), Sofie (MEG14), Rafaella (MEG13)
Pictures: Adam Oliver (MEG15)
On Saturday, 11 February, Herderbau was unusually busy. Students, alumni, and staff gathered for an afternoon program in each other’s company. Due to the COVID pandemic, similar events had not taken place in the past years. Socialising and meeting people, however, came naturally. The 90 participants, representing 11 generations and faculty staff, filled Room 100 with conversations that sparked memories and reflections about past and present “MEGgie” matters.
Picture 1: The program included ice breakers and mingling activities.
Picture 2: Here MEGgies are getting to know each other.
Different activities throughout the afternoon served our community by presenting current initiatives and facilitating a space for new encounters, exchange and inspiration. After Yourui and Lukas had shared some welcoming words, Sofie presented the structure of the informal MEG Network, which was followed by Zarmina and Vincent's input about the Decolonizing MEG Initiative. Shortly thereafter, Rafaella ensured a heartening atmosphere with ice breakers and mingling activities, where people were able to get to know each other.
Picture 3: Faculty staff laughing in room 100.
Picture 4: A conversation in Room 100.
As the official agenda came to an end the conversations found new ground at a restaurant around the corner. Some say the event even continued at Aguila and beyond...
Picture 5: Group photo of the participants.
We asked representatives from different MEG generations to share their experience to hear more about their reasons for showing up and take part in our community. Whether you were there or not, these statements will transport you to the experience.
Picture 6: Another conversation in Room 100.
"I attended the program to understand life after completing the MEG program and also to take feedback/advice from previous generations on future job prospects. I had a very good time especially because of the open floor arrangement - the freedom to talk to anybody was very beneficial! Many alumni shared their personal contact details and were open for future communication. I really enjoyed the meet-up altogether!" - MEG18
Picture 7: MEGgies talking at a table during mingling.
"It was fun. I had fun. Everyone had fun." - Sarah MEG17
"The MEG Meetup was a brilliant opportunity to engage with the MEG community, celebrate diversity, and forge new friendships. I particularly enjoyed the icebreaker activities, which created moments for sharing stories and enjoying each other's company." - Ken, MEG17
Picture 8: MEG16s listening to an input.
"I had a wonderful time at the MEG get-together! It was fantastic to see so many MEGies from various generations and to hear about their lives since graduation. The organizers did a great job choosing a venue that was comfortable and well-suited to the event. It was the perfect setting for catching up with old friends and making new ones. The event was a great success thanks to the thoughtful planning by the organizers. I'm already looking forward to the next get-together!" - Zarmina, MEG17
Picture 9: Three MEGs smiling to the camera.
"As am finishing the program right now I wanted to attend the event to see a bit what other Meggies were doing, what type of jobs they had, etc. I was also looking forward to just meeting new people and making new connections. The event was super fun and I got to meet a few Meggies both from previous generations and the current generation. It was great to catch up with the people i hadn't seen in a long time, as well as get to know new people. I really enjoyed the ice breakers, which is something I don't usually like. But i felt like the ones at the event made us move around and talk to others, without being awkward." - Isabella, MEG16
Picture 10: Two MEG16s and a MEG17 smiling to the camera.
“I was curious to meet old and new Meggies as well as seeing all the familiar faces! I had great chats with people and learned about people's post-meg lives. I was also really excited to talk to current MEGs and hear about their experience and how they are changing the programme for the better. :)” - Daniel, MEG12
Picture 11: Four MEGs smiling to the camera. In the back you see other people mingling.
“The MEG community offers great perspectives and insights towards global events, it’s always good to hear the different takes of each cohort.”- Federico, MEG12
Picture 12: Four MEGs posing for the camera in front of a window.
"I decided to attend the MEG Meetup so I could look backward and look forward. Backward to the days of wonder and discovery, of new places and friends, and of intense learning and broadening knowledge. And forward to the days when that knowledge, those perspectives, friends and peers, contribute to a more sustainable, and fair planet." - Anthony, MEG13
Picture 13: Two MEG12s listening closely to the moderators.
“Sometimes the classroom/cohort is mistakenly seen as a microcosm of the world, especially when focused on the world’s injustices. Perhaps this is an inevitability based on the difficulties of the topics discussed (this time colonialism). I think we all intuitively understand, and at some point, explicitly realise, that what makes us so special is not the diversity of the group in and of itself, but the fact that the warmest, kindest, brightest, and most creative applicants are selected. Therefore, the classroom is not a microcosm of the world on average. It is instead a microcosm of the best in the world and many of the wonderful facets we each bring. It is the quality of the student’s character with an overlay of diversity that makes MEGs so special. I can’t help but always want to be a part of that and that is why I like to reconnect as often as I can. They say ‘show me your friends, and I will tell you your future’. Nothing makes me more confident in all the MEGs futures than being able to say ‘these are our friends’.” - Patrick, MEG12
Picture 14: Alumni from MEG1 listening to an input.
"Being a graduate of the MEG1, I benefited tremendously from the personal growth, knowledge built-up and career development opportunities that the MEG Program provided to me. Now in the midway of my career, there is the inner voice of wanting to do something in return to the MEG program, therefore, I attended the MEG MeetUp. It was very enjoyable to be at the recent MEG MeetUp in Herderbau and to see with my own eyes how MEG has continuously grown and attracts talents from an expanded geographical, disciplinary, and demographical scope! To me, MEG is still difficult to be comprehended and described, but indeed "shape.complex.futures. in an its own unique invisible way." Gao Ya, MEG1
