“We are good enough” – UW/H alumna Anna Stricker on self-confidence and international opportunities
Anna Stricker studied PPE at UW/H. Today she lives in London, has completed her master's degree at the London School of Economics, and is planning her international career.
"I knew early on that I wanted to combine economics and politics," says Anna. "At school, I had social sciences as an advanced course, and pure economics was too one-sided for me." Her sister, who was studying medicine in Witten, brought her to UW/H - and it quickly became clear that PPÖ - Philosophy, Politics and Economics was a perfect match.
Intensive years in Witten
Anna moved from Olpe to Witten during the pandemic and found living in a shared flat, small study groups and close contact with professors ideal conditions for her studies. "Witten was never just studying for the sake of studying - people had real interests and ambitions." She was particularly influenced by Professor Joachim Zweynert and Professor Joscha Wullweber: "They cemented my interest in political economy and showed me how exciting this field is."
Alongside her studies, Anna was involved in numerous projects: For example, she gave German lessons to women from different backgrounds, she was a member of the Oikos Team Witten/Herdecke, which works to raise awareness of sustainability, and she worked as a student assistant at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy. "There was always a lot to do in Witten - but it was an enriching, inspiring environment. I learnt a lot, not just professionally, but also for life."
Anna is still particularly impressed by the Studium fundamentale: "I took everything from mindfulness to history. It's hard to find such a wide range of courses at other universities." Her personal highlight was the piano lessons with Helge Antony: "A teacher with an incredibly strong personality. Encounters like that stay with you."
Jump to the London School of Economics
Anna wanted a new perspective for her Master's degree: "I thought about whether I would do a Master's in Economics in Germany or go abroad. In the end, I wanted something I was passionate about professionally - and the personal challenge of an international degree programme."
A UW/H graduates' event encouraged her in her decision. "The graduates were incredibly inspiring. They showed that you can also study at top universities like Oxford, Columbia or LSE with a Witten degree."
Anna completed her Master's degree at the LSE this summer and is very happy with her decision. The degree programme was a hit, she says: "The university is very international and the teaching was excellent. International political economy is organised in a completely different way here - that broadened my horizons."
Anna is currently still living in London and is now looking to join think tanks or organisations that deal with geopolitical risks and international trade relations. Doctoral studies are also an option for her: "I am fascinated by US-China relations and current shifts in the international order."
Message to Witten students: "We are good enough."
Anna has a particularly important message for students: In Witten, we tend to play down our studies - along the lines of 'it wasn't that hard'. This attitude can have a negative effect because we then also question our own commitment. The training here is outstanding and the teaching material offers enormous potential. It is crucial that we consciously take time for our academic interests in addition to all the other great things on offer in Witten and, for example, make more use of the seminars to practise presenting and debating - even if that means leaving our own comfort zone. This is exactly what strengthens our self-confidence. With this attitude, we are ideally prepared for international exchange."