All employees and students at the IJK appreciate that life at the department is not just about work. During the lecture period, various activities take place, which not only serve teaching and research but, above all, ensure a lot of fun and opportunities for networking. These activities help strengthen the sense of community among everyone at the IJK. On this page, we will describe the most important of these activities.

Freshman Weeks

In the first few weeks of their Bachelor’s studies at the IJK, students are introduced to the basics of the program in the course “Reading - Seeing - Hearing.” They also get to know the media world of the city with several excursions within Hanover. Traditionally, at the end of this week, the so-called “Freshman Rally” takes place: The students embark on a tour of Hanover in small groups to get to know each other better and work together as a team for the first time. Students from higher semesters wait for first-year students at different places throughout the city. The first-year students have to do exciting tasks as a team. The rally guarantees a great day with a lot of adventure feeling.

A popular IJK tradition for many students is the annual first-semester trip. In a carefully selected accommodation, the first-year students experience unforgettable highlights with their new fellow students. With fun mini-games in groups, musical evenings and other exciting activities, first-year students can get to know each other even better. Some students from the higher semesters accompany the first-year students on the trip and participate in the activities. They contribute to the great atmosphere and promote networking across semesters.

IJK summer/christmas party

The IJK student council and the department's support association - KommunikationsKultur e.V. - organize a festive get-together for students, teaching staff and alumni once a semester. In the winter semester, the traditional late lecture sets the mood for the Advent season in a festive atmosphere. In the summer semester, a summer party invites students to enjoy the sun and a good mood. Students, teaching staff and alumni can exchange ideas and network in a relaxed atmosphere away from everyday university life.

Running Dinner

At the beginning of the winter semester, the department's support association - KommunikationKultur e.V. - organizes the Running Dinner. Each participant is randomly assigned a partner - a student, a professor or a member of staff. The team prepares a delicious meal at home. Two other teams come to visit later to spend an entertaining evening. However, before or after this visit, the team also visits other teams who will cook for them. The Running Dinner is a unique opportunity to get to know the professors and fellow students from a different perspective.

IJK forum

One of the academic highlights at the Department of Journalism and Communication Research is the IJK Forum, the annual graduation ceremony in the fall. Since 1998, the Department's graduates have been bid farewell with a festive and exciting program in the main building of the University of Music, Drama and Media. With entertaining moderation, live musical performances by various artists, and speeches by professors and students, the graduates and their families are guided through the evening in a cheerful atmosphere. After the festive gala, guests can continue the celebrations with good music until the early morning hours or relax with cocktails and long drinks. The IJK Forum is traditionally organized and implemented by the third-semester students, who are supported by students from the other semesters.

Theatre Project Group

Since 2001, the Theatre Project Group has been very popular among students. It was founded and led for many years by Prof. Dr. Gunter Reus and has been run by the students independently since 2022. Every year in the winter semester, the students select a new play, produce it over two semesters and finally performe it in Hanover at the end of the summer semester. The students work hard on everything a good play requires: from marketing and production to costumes and make-up to stage design and acting. Anyone who wants to can get involved in the Theatre Project Group - whether with or without theatrical experience. The ultimate results of these projects are quite impressive.

AC Plaza

Of course, the IJK also has its own football team. The participating students regularly test their shooting and trick-shot skills to put the ball in the net. In addition to celebrations and events that the team organizes throughout the year, it plays against other teams in the Hanover Campus League - sometimes more and sometimes less successfully. What counts for our players, however, is will, fighting spirit and fun. For this very reason, the eager AC Plaza footballers always rely on the support of the IJK fan community, which provides the necessary encouragement on the pitch from the sidelines. Every IJK student is welcome at AC Plaza and can register for it at the beginning of each semester.

Ernst.FM

Founded at the IJK, Ernst.FM is a web radio, a podcast forge, an online magazine, an event organizer and above all a meeting place by and for Hanover’s students. With music, music interviews, radio plays, reports, live and talk formats such as "Falk Ocean", the active broadcaster reaches out to young people from the region and beyond.

Photo Project Group

In the winter semester 2023/24, the photo project group was revived after a temporary break. The focus is on themed weeks in which the IJK students can live out their creativity - for example with themes such as nature, non-places or black and white. The IJK students then have around 2-3 weeks to create photos that match the theme. This is followed by a group discussion in which the resulting images are shown and discussed. This is not only about creative exchange, but also about personal insights. The best results will be presented in a “digital exhibition” on the Instagram account (@ijk_fotoag). Photography skills or a professional camera are not required. All you need is a love of art and the desire to try something out.