Assistance on a Personal Problem

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Comments by faculty members and students showing different views on the comic strip and the topic in general

Dr. Genetzke - International Office

Dr. Genetzke

Behind this is the problem of the separation of areas in German culture that many people do not understand.
In some cultures the duty of care of the employer/university extends to the private sphere. I.e. institutions are expected to help with private problems as well. In return, the institutions have access to the private life of the employee, i.e. they can also demand things that would meet with resistance in Germany.
What many don't understand is that sometimes we are not only not responsible for this, but in many cases we are not even allowed to help or would overstep the boundaries of our authority. Often we hear: But I'm a student at the university; you have to help me. However, the university can only help when it is about studies but not about private life. But, there is also help from other places and they showed him how to get it. This is a very difficult constellation, because there are different views of the duty of care.

Subhashree Mangaraj - Master DKE Student

Dr. Genetzke

There is a lot of information we as students are not aware of. Even if the problem seems unsolvable, one should give it a try by visiting websites. There is a chance that the university has some provision for it. And when in problem, it is always a good idea to share it with someone.

Diana Guzman - Master DKE Student

Dr. Genetzke

Even thought when the Faculty can not help a student with a personal issue, the university has diiferent channels in order to help them

Aditya Dey - Master DKE Student

Dr. Genetzke

The faculty might not be directly able to help with students' personal problems but it is a good idea to take whatever lead they give you, even if it feels inadequate.

Indranil Maji - Master DKE Student

Dr. Genetzke

The faculty here tries his best to guide a student to the correct direction for a personal problem. The student seems demotivated as the faculty turns him down but ends up finding the correct channel to seek help.

Jutta Timme (exams office)

The basic message of the comic strip is the following: Even if the first person you ask does not know the answer, they probably know someone, who knows someone ..., and you should then really go and ask that person!