What do you miss from your time at Freie Universität Berlin (people, places, special features)?

I enjoyed connecting with students from many different disciplines in the student-run cafés and in the Mensa at the Rostlaube. I still have strong friendships from that time, especially people I met working together on research projects and presentations.

Which experience, meeting with a particular person, or event at Freie Universität has special significance for you?

I learned how to teach working as a tutor in German literature. 

What advice would you give your younger self today?

Don´t be shy about seeking mentoring from faculty. 
Seek out small seminars with new, contingent or lesser-known faculty members. 
Say at least one thing in each seminar session. 
Attend lectures outside of your discipline.

If I could give my university a present for its 70th birthday…

...70 more professors with lots of time on their hands.