Partners

11.03.2015 On February 22-28, 2015, the students of the Faculty of Journalism, MSU visitedšHamburg Media Schoolš(Germany). Lecturers and practitioners from the media sphere shared their opinions about the future of media industry with the students, and introduced them to a variety of German approaches to media studies. The list of key speakers included Prof. Armin Rott, the founder and chief executive of the FutureCandy company Nick Sohnemann, the editor of the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper Ralph Nehmzow, and others. Prof. Elena Vartanova and Dr. Andrei Vyrkovsky, who were also visiting Hamburg Media School, delivered lectures to the foreign audience.

The visit took place within a bilateral agreement for scholarly and educational cooperation between the Faculty of Journalism, MSU and Hamburg Media School, signed a few years ago. Since then, German scholars have visited MSU as guest speakers, and German students have taken part in a few exchange programs together with the MSU students.

Students’ impressions

“When we returned to Moscow after a week exchange program in Germany, we had a feeling that this week was extremely productive. Every single day of our staying in Hamburg was saturated with different kinds of activities – studies at Hamburg Media School, talks and meetings in leading media corporations, such as Funke Mediengruppe, Google, DPA, etc.

The fruitfulness of this program can be easily proved by naming people that we were lucky to talk to: Prof. Armin Rott, ombudsman Ralf Nemtsow, innovation genius Nick Sonneman and so on. Our timetable during staying in Hamburg was thoroughly planned by the Media School colleagues. We were also involved into the studying process not only as listeners: our team presented the ?Russian startup scene” project. It took place between Prof. Elena Vartanova?s and Andrei Vyrkovsky?s lectures who also delivered a workshop to German students within the framework of universities? cooperation.

The importance of this exchange program is difficult to overestimate: as students we have received new knowledge, as journalists ? a valuable life and communicative experience.

We are very grateful to Hamburg Media School colleagues for concern for the Russian guests and to faculty administration for taking care of its students and for the given opportunity?.


?The first professional meeting during our exchange program was with a founder and chief executive of FutureCandy ? the consulting company specialized in innovation ? Nick Sohnemann. To begin with, Nick and his team let try all the things, which the company uses it its everyday practices ? modern gadgets, such as Google glass, Google watch, 3D-glasses for interactive games and so on. We all tested these gadgets, and then Nick delivered a presentation entitled ?Future of digital?.

On Wednesday, we were lucky to attend a lecture by Prof. Armin Rott. Hamburg Media School lecturer told us about his research of the print media in Germany. In his presentation Prof. Rott focused on the key factors, trends and world events, which influence press circulation.

Later on we met one of the editors of the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper, Ralph Nehmzow. Mr. Nehmzow told us about the largest newspaper in Northern Germany, about its content and new online applications. Being a member of the board of ombudsmen, Mr. Nehmzow also told us about the most topical issues and themes that were annually submitted for discussion to the Organization of news ombudsmen.
It has been a wonderful week in the capital of Northern Germany! I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the facilitators of our trip to Hamburg. I hope that such international exchange programs will be continued not only for the development of bilateral relations, but also for enhancing students? knowledge?.


?Hamburg is different from the rest of Germany. You expect to find there quiet cobbled streets with plenty of Protestant churches and squares, where the life of the city flows. But Hamburg has its own laws. Two lakes in the heart of the city, harbor in the south and lots of bridges have formed this city.

People whom we met during the program appreciate this city for being the center of mass media. In Hamburg, the headquarters of Die Zeit, Der Spiegel, Axel Springer, etc., Hamburg Media School and several media faculties are situated. As professors of Hamburg Media School and local journalists say, media in this city is one of the most rapidly growing professional fields, and every specialist in this sphere would prefer Hamburg to Berlin if she or he has to choose between these two cities?.


?During our exchange program at Hamburg Media School, we were given an opportunity to present our university to foreign audience. Our task was to make a two-hour presentation about Russian startups. Giving a presentation to the foreign audience was a great experience for me. Students of HMS listened to our presentations carefully, asked many questions, and the overall atmosphere was friendly and positive.

Furthermore, we visited the Google office ? bright, convenient and even home-like. Lea Bauer, a former student of HMS, met us there. While drinking coffee in the office?s cafeteria we were asking her questions about her job in one of the biggest corporations nowadays and about German media sphere. In the information agency DPA we talked to Meinolf Ellers, CEO, about the role of media startups in a changing ecosystem. He spoke about sponsoring beginner-projects and making a media-aggregator. In Betahaus we took a closer look both at successful startup-projects and at those which are just being launched. Conversation with Ralf Nehmzow, ombudsman and journalist of Hamburger Abendblatt lasted for more than an hour, and even after it we had some questions left.

Our visit to Hamburg Media School appeared to be very productive and enjoyable. I am very grateful to the Faculty of Journalism, MSU and HMS for this useful experience, new knowledge, kindly atmosphere and good time?.