Some thoughts on what comes next

New semester - new opportunities! I welcome you to the next stage of your studies. Up until the Easter break, the courses will be held digitally, and in March it will become clear how things can continue after that. You probably feel the same as I do, and have learnt to appreciate the value of face-to-face encounters anew.

I thus advise you to already look forward to the future: for the time that comes next… those of you living out of town, commuters and distance students could plan a real stay in Lucerne, perhaps for several days, as an opportunity to experience the city and its people. Students, who truly reflect, will discover that there is much more to the city than the Frohburgstrasse with the railway tracks next to it. Or you might choose to broaden your horizon even further and plan an exchange semester at a distant university – an opportunity that actually no student should miss out on in the 21st century.

A semester start as an opportunity to look ahead. Scrolling through my 'Contacts' list on my mobile phone I saw names that reminded me of encounters I miss. We will hug again!

Markus Ries, Vice Rector