Muhammad Faraz Sadiq

Why did you choose to study at Bard College Berlin? 
I chose to study at Bard College Berlin because of its interdisciplinary curriculum and seminar style classes. I thought it would be an enlightening experience to explore a wide range of disciplines including politics, economics, and philosophy and to understand their interrelationship with each other. I was also interested in studying and living in Berlin and exploring the city and learning about the German language and culture.

How would you describe our community in a nutshell?
I think the community at Bard College Berlin is a beautiful amalgamation of beautiful minds. I am happy to be a part of such a diverse and vibrant community where everyone is kind, welcoming and supportive towards each other.

Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
I often study in one of the reading rooms, because it is very cozy and when the weather is nice, they are bright and sunny. When I want to write my essays, I go to the library and work in one of the rooms where I can be by myself in silence and can think and write better.

Are you involved in any student clubs or organizations? 
I am running two Civic Engagement projects. One is the English Hour, which provides a space for people in the neighborhood of the college to come and practice their English, engage in conversation and form new connections in the community. And the other is Open Classroom, a project that enables people to experience university-level courses taught at Bard College Berlin in an informal setting that is open to everyone. It also aims at students to share the knowledge gained in the courses they are attending at Bard College Berlin.

Favorite book you read in a class, and why?
It is hard to choose, but recently I read Bocaccio's The Decameron as a part of my course on Renaissance Florence. I loved this book because of the ways it tells stories, and through telling those, expresses ideas that would have been quite radical for its time. These stories are also framed as such that they are set against a backdrop of a plague—a scenario which we can relate to, having recently lived through a pandemic of our own time. I liked the way the different characters are developed, the contrast between the chaos of a city and the calm of the countryside is presented, and how the ever important question of preserving the human legacy in face of devastating calamity is answered.

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.
The course Forms of Love that I took in the Spring 2022 semester was particularly fascinating. I liked the way the transfer of ideas from Ancient Greece to the Middle East to Western Europe was illustrated by the diversity of texts that were chosen to be a part of the curriculum. I learned about the different kinds of love that exist, and fundamental questions regarding their nature. It was at times thought provoking, at times entertaining, and at times calling for introspection—this is one of the best things that a single course can aim to achieve.

What surprised you the most about BCB?
I was amazed about the level of support you can find here, and about how understanding your professors and the other members of the community are. I always feel comfortable sharing my experiences and concerns whether it be with my professors, the Student Life officers, the Civic Engagement coordinators, the DEI Officer, or the Careers Services. I feel that there is always someone who can offer me guidance and support to help me make the right decisions.

Your favorite thing to do in Berlin on the weekends?
Going for walks, visiting museums (of which there are plenty in Berlin), and going to a nice café or a restaurant with my friends.

What does a liberal arts education mean to you?
To me getting a liberal arts education means that I am exposed to a wide range of ideas and thoughts as part of an interconnected, interdisciplinary curriculum. I think it is important to see how different fields of understanding our world are interrelated and is important in developing a holistic understanding of ourselves and our world. I also think it means acquiring a wide range of transferrable skills that will help me through my educational and professional career.