“First of all, the class sizes at Constructor University are so small that most of our classes are held as discussions rather than lectures, which is something you don’t often find in a bachelor’s program. After the first semester, you go into more specialized classes, and all of a sudden you have 6 people in your class instead of 50. Also, the opportunity to go on so many field excursions and be able to apply what we learn has been really beneficial, and helps me process what I really enjoy doing, rather than just learning.”
Charlotte Teall, USA, Class of 2018
“I’m here because of where I come from. Senegal is experiencing desertification to the East and dealing with rising sea levels to the West. This is characteristic of the Sahel (the belt of the Sahara Desert extending from Senegal to Sudan), which is why I’m most interested in climate change adaptation. I came to Jacobs with the desire to study EES, to learn how I, as a scientist, could contribute to the ongoing battle against climate change.”
Ibra Wane, Senegal, Class of 2018
“My favorite thing about the excursions is how you learn about something from more than just lectures, so it’s really nice to see concepts that you have studied in class applied in the field. It’s also great to be able to spend so much time with the professors outside of normal campus life. Excursions help you see firsthand what geoscientific research entails and can help you decide where you would like to specialize. My favorite excursion was the Heinke excursion, a 5-day trip on a research vessel in the North Sea, where we got an insight into oceanographic research, which helped me choose my specialization area. It’s quite unique for undergraduates to be able to participate in such a research cruise.”
Leon von Koslowski, Germany, Class of 2017
“Before looking at Jacobs, I had never considered going to a small school. I felt like college should be a big experience with thousands of new people to meet. But after two years at Jacobs, I wouldn’t change a thing. Some of my best friends are in the EES program, so every class and excursion is more fun than obligatory. Our relationships with our professors are also much less formal than most universities, so you never feel like you can’t or shouldn’t ask a question.”
Morgan Dodier, USA, Class of 2018
“I feel like where I come from this isn’t a path that’s normally taken. A lot of people go to established universities in North America or the U.K., but I feel like Germany has a really high standard for education, especially in the field of Earth Science. They have remarkable developments in environmental technology and law. By studying in the epicenter of this green revolution, I feel I can gain the most balanced and in-depth education possible.”
Ludwig Reiser, Hong Kong, Class of 2018
“I already applied for my master's, which was an incredible amount of work but was manageable in my third year, even with the thesis. I applied for geoengineering in the Netherlands and Zurich even though I could study in Germany, but after doing an international BSc, I want to do an international master’s as well. Geoengineering is the career choice I’m thinking of, but I also applied for an industrial ecology program, which is a very new research field, but I’m not sure where I will go with that yet. So now I wait to see where I get admitted, and then how I feel about both. Now I just need to finish my thesis, and I should be good to go.”
Max Reinke, Germany, Class of 2017
Please also visit our page with general questions about undergraduate studies: FAQ.