Into politics with PPÖ: UW/H graduate Frederike Westphalen
Frederike Westphalen discovered her passion for political work during her studies at the UW/H, and her path then led her to the Bundestag.
From Witten directly to the political centre of Berlin: Frederike Westphalen found her appointment in political work during her studies of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPÖ) at Witten/Herdecke University. While she was still working on her bachelor's thesis, she moved to the Bundestag, where she has been working in the office of MP Gülistan Yüksel since 2022. At the same time, she is studying for a Master's degree in Public Policy at the Hertie School.
In this interview, the UW/H graduate talks about how her studies in Witten have shaped her, which paths have led her into politics and what she would like to see in the social debate in Germany.
What did you take away from your PPÖ degree programme?
First and foremost is undisputedly critical thinking. Initially, you expect a degree programme to be about acquiring certain knowledge, but you eventually realise that it's more about training your thinking.
For me, studying politics, philosophy and economics is a general education: You get an introduction to different disciplines and can delve deeper into the area that interests you the most without getting too lost in one subject area.
The PPÖ combines different disciplines. This diversity of topics is also what makes politics special, as it is relevant in every area of society. During my studies, I learnt to think about and include all stakeholders and their perspectives - that helps me enormously in my political work.
What is special about the UW/H for you?
People don't come to UW/H to complete their six semesters standard period of study and have a degree on paper. You can tell that they study in Witten because they have a drive, want to make a difference and think outside the box.
Here I learnt that you can talk to people late into the night and still like them. That people are interested in different things, share their passions and knowledge and, instead of competing, enrich each other.
Are there any particular experiences that have had a special impact on you?
My participation in the Model United Nations in New York was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. Discussing with people from all over the world at the UN headquarters and getting to know the UN's working methods was a very special experience that I took away and learnt a lot from.
During my studies, I also discovered the student-run cultural centre "Unikat", which was a vibrant place during the upheaval of the move from Westfalenstraße to Bahnhofstraße that still needed to be shaped. As we received great support both from the university and directly from the Hochschulwerk, there was an incredibly broad scope for action to introduce and realise many new ideas. There is no other university with a comparable variety of student initiatives.
I can therefore only recommend that you not only concentrate on your studies and your degree, but also savour Witten to the full. UW/H offers so much that you can never fully utilise it during your studies - but you can try to take in as much as possible and get involved.
You moved to Berlin in 2022 and are now studying for a Master's degree at the Hertie School Public Policy. How did you experience the change?
I trained my critical and networked thinking at the UW/H, and I can build on this wonderfully in the Master's programme at the Hertie School. Here it's all about application: How can we change things in concrete terms? For me, one is not better than the other, I see it as the perfect combination.
Alongside your Master's degree, you have been working as a student assistant for Gülistan Yüksel MP since 2022. What exactly are your tasks?
My range of tasks is very broad and varied - just like politics. There are two academic staff and two student assistants in our office. My colleague is mainly responsible for social media, while I support the academic staff. I see myself as a floater - that's a sailing term for a position where you're always deployed wherever you're needed.
For example, I look after the visitor groups and answer questions from people visiting the Bundestag together with my deputy or on my own responsibility. I also answer letters from citizens, write press releases, prepare appointments and take care of correspondence. Whatever comes up ...
Why were you drawn to politics?
I want to exert a positive influence, and the best way to do that is to get involved in politics. Here I am part of a system that shapes things. I firmly believe that if you don't like something, you should get involved yourself so that it changes.
And in politics, you have this opportunity. Personally, I still see a great need for action at a political level with regard to animal welfare, for example, and would like to contribute to improvements here.
Political work is often heavily criticised - I notice this every day both in the media and directly with groups of visitors to the Bundestag. I would like everyone to do an internship in the Bundestag so that people can see that the vast majority of politicians try to do their best and have to make compromises to do so. It never hurts to understand how parliament works. Constructive criticism is good, but solutions are better.
How do you perceive the mood among the visitor groups? To what extent have the questions and discussions changed as a result of the current social debates?
The debate is becoming more fundamental. We were doing very well for a long time, our values were not questioned - now the fundamentals are coming back due to wars, pandemics and fascism. More effort is needed to address these issues and counter these developments.
I realise how important it is to use the space we have to address these issues - to insist on what values we have and that we must defend them and stand up for them. That's why I talk often and a lot about these issues with student groups in the Bundestag - it's important to me to leave a positive impact.
Finally, what would you like to pass on to other students?
I hope that all UW/H students carry the Witten spirit into the world. Take a piece of Witten with you - wherever you go! For me, this means: not just thinking in terms of numbers and methods, but wanting to understand something for yourself and to penetrate it in order to be able to think beyond what already exists.
And: get involved politically! This is not only important for your personal well-being, but also for your own contribution to the common good. As a conglomerate of all political engagement, we form a huge mass that is decisive and can make a difference - no: must make a difference.