Denise: Bachelor Programme in Sociology and Economics

 

"I didn’t think I would enjoy statistics so much! Getting into it was much easier than I thought because you can directly apply abstract numbers."

 


 

Why did you choose to study sociology? What interested or motivated you at the time?

While I was in high school, I wanted to study psychology because I liked to reflect on myself and my surroundings. Unfortunately my overall grade wasn’t high good, but then our school went to visit the university in Aachen to have a look at their programs. I stumbled upon the bachelors in Social Sciences, which included sociology as a component, and once the lecturer explained what sociology is, I was fascinated and knew right away that this was the direction I wanted to take.

What surprised you about the degree? What did you not expect?

I didn’t think I would enjoy statistics so much! Getting into it was much easier than I thought because you can directly apply abstract numbers.

What is special about your degree or course of studies, in your opinion?

The sociology degree is characterized by critical reflection of one’s own society. Why do women care for the children and not men? Which methods of problem solving do we take for granted, but are carried out differently in other cultures? How do you recognize a given situation as such?
The program in Mainz is specifically characterized by thorough theoretical instruction with a particular focus on qualitative methods.

What are the particular focus points of your degree and later professional fields?

During the course of my studies, I always came back to the issue of gender as a cause for social inequality. This area of research is extremely relevant to everyday life and affects everybody.

What do you especially like about Mainz as a place to study?

Mainz is a city with a positive atmosphere. The people here are young and friendly so you get to know each other quickly. It is also a place of culture, with much to offer in the areas of theater, music, and politics. And if you want to, you can easily find people who are happy to talk to you about a sustainable lifestyle.