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Frankenstein Inspires

U.S. students try to find Frankenstein in Ingolstadt

By stories of life

July 23^rd, 2018

Hidden gem Ingolstadt

During the Medieval period, Ingolstadt gained great importance and grew a remarkable academic reputation. With the foundation of the first Bavarian University in 1472 it drew the world’s premier thinkers. As a result of this intellectual influx, intellectual and cultural developments were spread from here throughout Bavaria. Today, two hundred years later, Ingolstadt‘s history and architecture attracts students from the US.

The Catholic Münster

The Münster is the biggest church in Ingolstadt. It took 100 years until its completion in the early 16th century. The size of this late gothic church is as impressive as the body of sound that students can experience in it during a Sunday morning mass. One of the most famous pastors preaching in the Münster was Johannes Eck, an opponent of Martin Luther. His contributions led to Ingolstadt’s status as an intellectual center for the Counter-Reformation.

Cultural heritage invented in Ingolstadt

Exploring the world means exploring different cultures. One of the students’ highlights was the old traditional beer tasting. Thanks to the Beer Purity Law that was invented in Ingolstadt in 1516, the beer tastes the same today as it did 500 years ago. The law stated that only hops, water and barley should go into beer, which was only slightly changed when, for instance, yeast was permitted.

200 years Frankenstein - An artistic discussion

What are we willing to give up in order to optimize our life? The artists Gabriele and Thomas Neumaier present objects and photographs that play with the absurdity of continuing faith in modern progress, for example, the biometric understanding of the human being. For the students this was a great opportunity to critically discuss artificial intelligence and digital improvements.

Where Frankenstein learned to dissect

This herb garden is beautiful. Deep green, geometrical layout, medical plants. Built in 1685, it belonged to the Old Anatomy Building that was part of the medical faculty during Ingolstadt`s flourishing time as a university town. After a guided tour through the garden the students put their inspirations from the place into photoshoots and set themselves as part of the designed garden.

Traveling in Europe is an adventure

Trains replace cars. Time schedules replace self-determination. But it is fun, especially with folks around you.

Study abroad programs offer exciting activities

For most American students it is the first time that they leave their country or even their State when they come to Europe. Making new friends while, for example, getting insights into the production process of a world leading brand or having analytical discussions in class or exploring cultural diversity by travel challenges, it all contributes to personality development and growing of each of them.

When Frankenstein shows up at nightfall

For more than 25 years the ghost of Frankenstein has been conjured along the streets of Ingolstadt at nightfall. The students were lucky to have encountered him this year one gloomy summer night in May. He led them on a “mystery tour” along the streets and alleys of Ingolstadt’s Old Town and revealed how life had been in days gone by. Also Frankenstein‘s monster itself scurried around the corner and gave the group a big fright!

Personal view

Working as coordinator for American students as documented in the short story above, you are not only learning a lot yourself during the journey, but you are also lucky enough to see the visiting places with your own eyes. When I told friends that I would be spending one week in the small Bavarian town of Ingolstadt, they looked at me as if just appeared a ghost to them. That is why I started a day by day documentation on facebook. I was curious myself to see if this town with its "one thousand" church spires has something that even an atheist could lure to spend more than 24 hours in this place, apart from the mission of finding Frankenstein.

Diary quote on day six of seven staying in Ingolstadt:

"Ingolstadt induces the same habit that life teaches you. Persistence leads you to get used to what you perceived to be strange at first. Eighty seven towers are counted in Ingolstadt as result of its historical background in the Medieval Age, plus there seems to exist hundreds of crucifixes and church spires only in the Old Town because of its predominant Catholicism. Liberalism and diversity feels and smells different, but now that I am heading the seventh overnight in this small town, I somehow have to admit that I start to like it. Here the world seems to be in best order. The beer tastes delicious. There is beautiful hidden beer gardens in the courtyards of Ingolstadt. A pharmacy is located on every corner and banking institutes are calling for your money to be withdrawn on every corner too. What do you need more in life? Well, maybe critical thinking?"

Footnotes

I am grateful to be in good partnership with CEPA. CEPA customizes faculty-led study abroad programs and made the Frankenstein program described above become real.

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FootNotes

I am grateful to be in good partnership with CEPA. CEPA customizes faculty-led study abroad programs and made the Frankenstein program described above become real.

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