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Alumni in the spotlight
Magali Riedel
Franco-German cooperation was already a key focus for Magali Riedel during her degree – today she coordinates cross-border projects at the Eurodistrict SaarMoselle. In the interview, she talks about her path from Saarland University to her current role, the importance of practical experience and how a filmed course led to a high level of student participation.
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Stefanie Wilhelm
While completing her degree in English Linguistics, Stefanie Wilhelm was already busy gaining practical experience to enable her to enter the world of work straight away. Today, she is in charge of corporate communications for a large company near Frankfurt. In this interview, she talks about her formative years as a student, the value of practical experience and the importance of good coffee on campus.
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Klara Merkel
Klara Merkel discovered her passion for IT through a career-orientation module while she was actually studying English Linguistics and Language Science. Today, she works as a software developer. In this interview, she talks about flexible study combinations, having the courage to apply for a job even if you don't have a perfect profile and why Saarland University was the right starting point for her.
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Cheikh El Wely Sidi Mohamed: From Saarland University to Zambia – Computer Science and international projects
Cheikh El Wely Sidi Mohamed studied Computer Science at Saarland University. After working in Berlin, Kempten and Mauritania, he now works in Zambia in a role that combines IT and public finance. In the interview, he talks about his time at university, his early career and why Saarland University was 'the best time of his life'.
Meike Lorré
Meike Lorré studied Intercultural Communication and Business Administration from 2011 to 2015 at Saarland University. After holding positions in Marketing and Human Resources, she founded her own coaching business in 2025. Her language and cultural competences paved the way for her path into self-employment.
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Sandiego Himawan: From UdS to Laboratory Leadership
Sandiego Himawan completed his Master’s in Biotechnology at Saarland University (2019–2022), focusing on industrial and medical biotechnology. He now works as lab manager at the INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Saarbrücken. In our interview, he reflects on navigating an international campus and how persistence shaped his journey from student to lab manager.
Vivian Maier: From Saarland University to all over the world
Vivian Maier completed the Bachelor's degree programme in Comparative Linguistics, Literary Studies and Translation (VSLT) at Saarland University, followed by a Master's degree in Translation Science. Today, she travels the world as a freelance engineer and technical draughtswoman.
In the interview, she looks back on her time at university, talks about the choices she has made in her career – and explains why, with hindsight, she would have preferred to have stuck with translation.
Dr. Lena Mittermüller: Between the lecture theatre, the alumni office and international collaboration
Lena Mittermüller, our former member of staff in the Alumni Office, studied German Language and Literature and English Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures at Saarland University, completed a trinational Master's degree and did her doctorate with a cotutelle arrangement (jointly supervised binational doctorate), spending time in both Metz and Luxembourg. She is currently the Personal Adviser to the Vice-President for Internationalization and European Relations. In the interview, she talks about formative experiences during her studies, the value of intercultural education and her transition from university to the world of work.
Martina Urgesi: From Saarland University to audiovisual media expert
Martina Urgesi first studied Business Science and Economics then Translation at Saarland University – a switch that turned out to define her career. Today, she runs a business focused on subtitling, audio description and translating audiovisual media. In an interview, she talks about her move from Saarbrücken to Berlin, the challenges that technological advancements pose in her field and what advice she would pass along to today's students.
Senior Media Consultant Moritz Plathe
Moritz Plathe studied Business and Economics Education at Saarland University and is now employed as a Senior Media Consultant at ZEIT Verlag in Hamburg. In this interview, he tells us what aspects of his study programme have been particularly useful and what he values most about his current position.
Stefanie Mattes and her non-profit company Aufsteiger GmbH
Stefanie Mattes recalls the lively and sometimes heated discussions about the concepts of 'equity' and 'justice' during her time as a law student at Saarland University. She is the founder of the non-profit company Aufsteiger GmbH, a mentoring initiative for people who were the first in their family to go to university. The aim is to bring together young people and give them access to the experience, knowledge and networks of experienced mentors.
Dr. Auma Obama and her 'Sauti Kuu'
Auma Obama's top career tip: Have one goal that you pursue with passion and enthusiasm. The German scholar, sociologist, journalist and author gives lectures worldwide, is actively engaged in the future of Africa and founded the 'Sauti Kuu' foundation: a 'strong voice' for children and young people that supports them in taking their future into their own hands. Barack Obama's sister studied and completed her doctorate in Germany – including at Saarland University, where she experienced the snowy winters and Saarland savoir-vivre.
Thorsten Havener: "I love making people feel absolutely amazed"
He is not a clairvoyant, but rather a 'careful observer': With his knowledge of non-verbal communication and human behaviour in general, Thorsten Havener attracts large audiences to his shows. The mentalist studied Applied Linguistics at Saarland University. In this interview with Campus magazine, the expert in communication and the art of magic offers insights into his time as a student, explains what fascinates him about his work and reveals nothing less than the secret to success.
Dr. med. Karl Addicks: A globetrotting doctor
He crossed the Atlantic as a ship's doctor on a sailing vessel, found himself in mortal danger as a hostage in Iraq, worked as a doctor in the Niger Delta, Basra, Sichuan and Marrakesh, and, as a Member of the Bundestag, lobbied for better healthcare in developing countries. Like something straight out of a movie, Karl Addick's life path can be traced back to a pivotal moment on the Saarbrücken campus. The doctor and politician studied Chemistry and Medicine at Saarland University.
Markus Heitz: His books have sold millions of copies
Today, he sells millions of books and is one of the most widely read German authors of the fantasy, horror and science fiction genres. His degree in History at Saarland University in the 1990s had a profound influence on him and it was on the Saarbrücken campus that he discovered the themes he now explores in his bestsellers. He also had ""a hell of a lot of fun"" studying history amidst clove-studded oranges and pipe-smoking professors.
How serendipity brought Mariele Eichholz to Madagascar
Mariele Eichholz had actually planned to go to Mannheim, but wound up studying at Saarland University, which was largely down to serendipity. Years later, serendipity was also one of the reasons why Mariele Eichholz now works as a lecturer for the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) at the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. As part of her role there, she introduces students in Madagascar to the German language and academic culture.
Prof. Dr. Riccardo Pozzo
After studying philosophy in Milan, Riccardo Pozzo did his doctorate in Saarbrücken in the 1980s. He then taught in the USA before returning to Italy. He sees mobility and thinking outside the box as the key to a successful academic career. Cultural interaction and the exchange of knowledge and skills within society are also at the heart of Pozzo's research.
Dr. Thorsten Wilhelmy
Doing something you're passionate about was already important to Thorsten Wilhelmy as a student. The literature enthusiast followed his interests and studied Comparative Literature at Saarland University. It was here that he learnt to familiarize himself quickly with new subjects, and he kept an open mind to new ideas beyond the familiar. In the interview, he explains how he used his degree as a springboard, even without setting out with a career plan.
Prof. Dr. Kurt Becker
After completing his Diplom degree in Physics at Saarland University, Kurt Becker went on to do his doctorate in Saarbrücken. His career took him to Canada and Pennsylvania before landing in New York, where he still works today. As a professor of Applied Physics and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at New York University, he is always looking for innovative research topics and cooperation partners. In our interview, he talks about what he particularly appreciated about studying in Saarbrücken.