Summer semester 2013. I was just new to the university and, as a Westerberg student, took part in the typical compulsory events at the start of the semester in a very exemplary way: city rally, pub crawl, freshman party, et cetera. My pub crawl guide told me about the legendary HR parties – no, he said “farmer’s parties”. They are an absolute insider tip. I had to smile a little – the agricultural scientists and agricultural architects are having a party. I know that all too well from my homeland: marquee, beer and Schlager. Thanks, no!
But then the time had come. The first rays of sunshine appeared in the sky, a few beers were hissed on the concrete beach in front of the Westerberg Mensa after the lecture and the same guide informed full of euphoria that there would finally be a party in Haste again in the evening. Okay okay, you only study once. I’ll give it a chance…
The great unknown: Haste as a study location
Armed with the last pilsner cans from the Cafete (yes, the beer shortage at temperatures above 20°C is nothing new), we started the hike in Osnabrück’s greenest district . Leaving the food mile Pagenstecherstraße on the left, I saw the harbour district for the first time. The name may sound a bit exaggerated, but the small Häfchen is always suitable for a short rest by the water. However, the largest ship is stranded and disguises itself as the office building of a well-known local coffee machine manufacturer. The hike led more and more into the countryside, very idyllic, a bit like a holiday. At the factory of a large soft drink manufacturer, Helene Fischer resounded towards us – the moment when I wanted to make a 180 degree turn. “Hey, you said we’re going there now!” Okay, okay.
I admit, the entrance to the campus looked impressive. Not impressively large, but impressively chic. A university location is something other than greenhouses, farm-like brick buildings and ponds with small bridges. Since there was no getting past the security with the remaining supply of drinks, we took the opportunity to explore the campus a little more closely. There is a cute cafeteria that also serves as a learning landscape, huge trees and everything is winding like a typical holiday park in Holland. In fact, we also met a family who visited the grounds for a walk. “Oh, party again. What the heck. It’s not like that every day.” Very tolerant, the people of Haster. Well then on…
This is how they celebrate
“Hey, you must be studying at Westerberg!”, I was unmasked right at the entrance. I looked questioningly at the fellow student in the small-checked shirt and asked how he came up with that. “Your shirt has no checks!” Hmm, what did I do wrong? My guide explained to me: the smaller the checks, the larger the hectares. “Haha,” I said, looking around and realizing that checkered is definitely a dress code. “Not bad,” said the colleague with what seemed to be a lot of land and kindly pressed a beer into our hands. Into the fray. In the meantime, some dance music was playing and the place was jam-packed. Yes, the atmosphere is completely different, but that’s exactly what was a lot of fun. The playlist from A for ACDC to Z for Zillertaler was a bit too Ballermann for me, but you like to be infected by the bombshell atmosphere. At the end, a life-size horse statue appeared on the dance floor and the fox and goose peacefully said goodnight to each other. I even caught myself singing along to one or the other NDW hit and I had the right answer to the check question: “My checks are so small, you can’t even see them!”
Well then, see you tonight! The motto this time: 90s.