"The experience I gained there was priceless"

Christian Limpert took his first steps towards journalism at the University of Bayreuth, where he studied media, theatre & information science. Today he heads the ARD studio in Tel Aviv and reports from one of the most politically sensitive areas in the world. In an interview with UBTaktuell, he tells us how this came about, what shaped him in Bayreuth, and what memories he has of his time at university.

Why did you choose media, theatre & information studies and why Bayreuth? What role did the proximity to your home in Coburg play?

Christian Limpert: Admittedly, it was initially an "emergency solution" - I had already applied to the German School of Journalism, but had failed the very strict selection process there. My mother gave me a newspaper article about a new bachelor's programme at the University of Bayreuth: "Theatre and Media" - the proximity to Bayreuth then made it very easy for me: I went to Bayreuth, took a look at the campus and the University, and immediately felt at home.

Did studying in Bayreuth make it easier for you to get into DJS? In what way?

Studying in Bayreuth was the greatest stroke of luck for me. The new bachelor's programme "Theatre and Media" was perfect: a completely new team of academics, and about 30 students who were the "first" in this programme, full of energy and innovation. In addition to many theatre projects, we had the chance to set up our own Campus TV - a TV programme for students that we produced once a month and which ran on the regional channel TV Oberfranken - the practical experience I gained there was priceless. After my studies, I applied to DJS again - and was accepted.

Are there some fond memories of your student days in Bayreuth you wish to share? Are there any experiences on campus that you remember fondly?

Unfortunately, there are far too many fond memories. With regard to my studies, I really enjoyed the familiar atmosphere in the degree programme, the close contact with our lecturers and professors - our media studies professor Prof. Müller, was a "boss" who gave us a lot of freedom to try things out and test them. Of course, I also remember the beautiful campus, having everything on your doorstep, and, of course, some outstanding spoeko (Sport, Business & Law) parties, and celebrations at "Rosi". The great thing about Bayreuth was that after partying, the next day you met all the faces from the party back on campus.

Do you still have contact with fellow students? Professors? Of what kind?

Unfortunately, only very occasionally and rarely. That's a real pity, we spent a lot of time together on the "Campus TV" project, but when we finished our bachelor's degrees, things moved on differently for each of us - I still write or talk to some of them on the phone, but unfortunately there is no real alumni network yet.

Are there any practical ideas, lessons, or insights from your studies that still shape you today, that you took to heart, that you remember? Which ones?

Yes, I have learned that every good idea needs above all a good concept - and thus sometimes also time and patience.

Did your studies in Bayreuth prepare you for your current job as a studio manager in a crisis region? In what way?

Only in a few ways. The bachelor's programme "Theatre and Media" was not designed for journalistic training. Nevertheless, the Campus TV project in particular prepared me for working in a team - to this day I would describe myself as an absolute team player, which is of course extremely important in an ARD studio with a relatively small team. For my work as a studio manager and the journalistic assignment in a crisis region, there were specific training courses I completed in recent years.

As a journalist, you first travelled regionally, but then mainly abroad. How did that come about?

As is so often the case, it was a bit of luck and perseverance. After a few years at BR's "Abendschau" (evening news), I applied internally to work as a stand-in and temp in the foreign studios that BR runs for ARD. I waited a long time and asked many times ... then in March 2012, I got the call asking if I could fly to Athens immediately. I said "yes". From then on, I helped out regularly.

What is the most exciting thing about your current job?

I've been in Tel Aviv since January and since then I've been learning something new every day. There is, of course, the Middle East conflict, the more I familiarise myself with it, the more complicated it seems to me, I'm learning Hebrew and am already very involved with the management of the TV studio. It's all exciting, I have a lot of respect for this task and I'm really grateful to have got this chance.