AUSTRALIA
Andrew David Mason , Geography, Political Economy and Indigenous Studies – Sydney University – Australia
I read almost everywhere: on the bus, at university, at home, but most of all in a pub with a beer. I enjoy the semester break because then I can read what I want and not what the lecturers tell me. I read a lot of books about Aboriginal history because in my free time I am involved in an organization that organizes Aboriginal protests. Reading plays a big role in my life because books and newspapers allow me to stay connected to other social movements within and outside Australia. I can't possibly name a single favorite book, but books that have had a huge impact on me are included including “Because a White Man'll Never Do It” by Kevin Gilbert and “The Biggest Estate on Earth” by Bill Gammage. The first is about Aboriginal people's fight for justice, the second is about how Aboriginal Australians managed the land before it was colonized by the British.
ITALY
Valentina Remigi, Intercultural and linguistic mediation – University of Insubria in Como – Italy
I read to relax. When I'm really immersed in a book, I feel like I'm part of the story. In summer I like to sit out in the sun to read, in winter I usually curl up with my book in the armchair in front of our fireplace. I used to usually read one or two books a month, but at the moment I have so much to do for university that I unfortunately hardly find any time for it anymore. That’s why I’ve been reading my current book, “The Map of True Places” by Brunonia Barry, for quite a while. My favorite book is “The Horse Whisperer” by Nicholas Evans.
CUBA
Claudia Proenza, German Studies – University of La Habana – Cuba
I often read German books, which helps me improve my language skills and learn more about German culture. I'm currently reading Angelika Klüssendorf's novel 'April'. The book allows me to immerse myself in the world of divided Germany, which I have never experienced myself. On the one hand, the protagonist's personality and life story are very different from my own, but on the other hand, I can well understand what she went through. In general, I particularly like biographical novels. One of my favorite books is 'Heart' by Edmundo de Amicis, the first book I read as a child. It is a book that is very much influenced by human and family values.
Great Britain
Kristiyan Danielov Kovachev , Computer Gaming Technology – Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge – UK
There is a podcast by the American manager James Altucher in which he says: "Reading is a way of borrowing another person's brain." This sentence has stayed with me because it expresses what reading means to me: Self-study. I read primarily to learn new skills and to spark discussions in my head. My absolute favorite book is 'The Leader Who Had No Title' by Robin Sharma because it completely changed the way I look at the world. I usually read books that someone has recommended to me. Currently it's 'Funky Business Forever: How to Enjoy Capitalism' - a reading recommendation from my boss.
GERMANY
Christina Russmann , Slavic Studies – Humboldt University of Berlin in Berlin – Germany
I especially like Russian literature, especially 'Blizzard' by Vladimir Sorokin. During the holidays I said 'Next semester everything will be different... Between university and life!' read by Tabea Mußgnug. Just like me, the author is a humanities scholar and so I found myself in her descriptions of everyday university life and dealing with relatives who are constantly asking 'What do you do with that?' questions, often found again. Her writing style is wonderfully self-ironic, the book is peppered with funny anecdotes. About professors, living in a shared apartment, about unpaid internships and the art of giving a top speech with residual alcohol in your blood. My conclusion after 208 pages: Thinking about the future is important, but you shouldn't forget to enjoy student life.
LEBANON
Bechara Youssef Samneh , Chemical Engineering – American University of Beirut – Lebanon
Enrichment, escape and joy – these are the three words that come to mind when I think about reading. Reading enriches every person, whether in terms of their vocabulary, their writing style, their ideas or their emotions. By escape I mean entering another world: When you read a good book, you can't help but immerse yourself in the world of the protagonists. Sometimes I identify with the characters so much that I take on some of their characteristics. The thing about enjoyment is almost self-explanatory: it's probably impossible to read a book to the end without having fun.
I read all sorts of books from English classics to German children's books (I'm learning German and can thus improve my language skills). 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Wicked' and 'Harry Potter' are some of my favorites. I'm currently reading several books at the same time, including a German children's book called 'The School of Magical Animals' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy.
VIETNAM
Lu Trong Khiem Nguyen , Computational Engineering – University of Science in Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
If I'm honest, I don't read too much outside of university. If so, I am particularly interested in news from the technological and medical sectors. But sometimes I also feel like immersing myself in another world, then I read novels or stories. A novel that particularly stands out in my memory is 'Little Women' by Louisa Alcott. I have just finished reading Bernhard Schlink's 'The Reader'. I found the inner conflicts that the protagonists had with themselves after the Second World War particularly well described.
