OLEKSANDRA SOKOLOVA

Country: Ukraine
Programme: Academy Year (2012)
Email: o.sokolova@ecla.de

Why did you choose ECLA?
I chose ECLA because it offers the possibility of experiencing a very liberal approach to education and of engaging in the exploration of some important philosophical issues, which are always relevant both in academic and everyday life. ECLA is also a place where one can meet people from all over the world and be a part of great cultural diversity. In addition to that ECLA offers a variety of activities and excursions, which contribute to and complement the academic process.  

What was the most interesting course for you so far and why?
Our first term core course about Plato's Republic and its interlocutors was the most interesting for me so far. I thought this class was a very good one to start with, since the Republic is so important in Western philosophy and so frequently referenced by numerous philosophers from different eras. Reading other works from Ancient Greece along with it helped to create a coherent picture of the philosophical issues of the time and their implications for the subsequent development of philosophy. The course was very interesting in itself and also in its connection to other classes.      

What's the most important thing you've learned at ECLA?
Probably the most important thing that I've learned here is to ask the right kind of questions and not to take things for granted. By questioning one may get to different levels and dimensions of the problem as well as discover different interpretations of it. Academic curiosity and tolerance are virtues that ECLA helped to develop in me.     

What's your favourite activity outside the classroom?
I really like film screenings at ECLA: they give both an opportunity to relax and get the time off from reading. I also really like drawing so I was very pleased when the drawing class was created; it is a lot of fun!        

When/if a friend comes to Berlin, where do/would you take them?
Berlin is a very beautiful city and even simply walking around Mitte can be very pleasant and exciting. Some of the most beautiful places that I've seen so far and would definitely show to my friend are the Brandenburg Gate, the Berliner Dom, the Museum Island and Potsdamer Platz. There is also a wide variety of places to eat with the cuisine from different countries. Weekend markets are also not to be missed.