The freedom to fail: why Media School Bayern is a breath of fresh air

On December 11th, I had the opportunity to visit an institution that cares deeply about the future of radio and broadcasting. Located on the outskirts of Munich, Media School Bayern actively invests time and resources into teaching young adults how to navigate the world of digital content, specifically in video and audio production.

After receiving a warm welcome and an introduction by Florian Böhm, we were guided through the building’s many corridors and studios. We saw firsthand how every individual, regardless of their experience level or age, plays a fundamental role in the creation of a final media product.

The school opens its doors to students ready to dive directly into the world of audiovisual creations, encouraging them to learnt not just through theory, but also by trying and failing. By experiencing mistakes, students learn how to recover from them and develop fundamental professional soft skills.

Fotos of the trip to MediaSchool Bayern (Source: Anna Dal Bo’s Photos)

The school provides essential tools, including cameras, microphones, and dedicated workspaces, allowing everyone to contribute to the larger organization. M94.5, the 24-hour radio station primarily produced by students from various faculties, is one of the hearts of this operation. Visiting the creative stations, where ideas are brainstormed in front of laptops (yet still surrounded by so much inspiration), gave me a complete picture of the workflow behind broadcasting. It also showed me, however, the importance of having the right place where to work and a healthy environment where creativity and thinking outside of the box are always welcomed.

What struck me most was the inclusive and vibrant atmosphere. Every corner of the building was filled with jokes, colourful signs, and inclusive posters that transformed plain white walls into a creative sanctuary.

In an academic world often overshadowed by textbooks and learning hundreds of pages by heart, it was a breath of fresh air to see an institution that invests so many tangible resources into young, practical minds and that, most importantly, believes in their abilities to improve the future.