DHBW international
Trend in mobility figures
The mobility figures for incoming and outgoing students in the theory phase in the 2021/2022 academic year have recovered significantly since the end of the coronavirus pandemic, although they have not yet reached pre-crisis levels. For example, 339 international students came to DHBW for one semester, while 29 students took part in short-term programmes. 857 DHBW students spent a semester abroad and 134 DHBW students took part in a short-term programme. The balance between incoming and outgoing mobility is clearly in favour of DHBW.
Intercultural certificate
In October 2022, an intercultural certificate was introduced at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), offering every student the opportunity to develop their intercultural skills and have them certified. The intercultural certificate is open to all DHBW Bachelor students, regardless of their programme or School. With more than 150 certificates applied for, it has already garnered great interest in its first year. The purpose of the intercultural certificate is to increase students’ interest in international activities and stays abroad. By developing their intercultural skills, students are encouraged to gain international experience, be it through a semester abroad, practical semesters abroad or cultural programmes at DHBW. The intercultural certificate is part of the university’s internationalisation strategy. The international dimension of DHBW is being underlined more strongly and made accessible to students from all disciplines. Emphasis is placed on the university’s commitment to the acquisition of intercultural skills, and international networking of students is promoted.
DHBW Reception
The Annual Conference of the EAIE (European Association for International Education) took place in Rotterdam from 26 to 29 September 2023. With over 6,000 participants from 90 different countries, this conference is one of the largest and most important higher education events in the world. In addition to numerous lectures, training opportunities and university visits, the event also included a comprehensive trade fair with 200 exhibitors. Since 2014, DHBW has also organised a reception as part of the conference, the aim of which is to establish new partnerships and intensify existing contacts. The DHBW President welcomed over 120 invited guests from almost 30 countries and emphasised the strategic goals of DHBW in her welcoming address. By expanding international cooperation and the exchange of students and lecturers on a global level, DHBW aims to promote intercultural skills among students. DHBW attaches great importance to offering students a wide range of opportunities to gain experience abroad, whether in the form of study semesters, short-term stays or internships abroad. DHBW also promotes intercultural dialogue and knowledge transfer by establishing close partnerships with renowned colleges and universities around the world. This holistic approach to university internationalisation helps to give DHBW graduates the best preparation for the global labour market and increase their competitiveness.
University Abroad: Spain
Intercultural courses are an ideal way for DHBW students to prepare for experiences abroad. In addition to the regular exchange programmes of the International Offices, the Central International Coordination Office has been organising short-term study programmes since 2017, aiming to strengthen the intercultural skills of graduates and further promote the cohesion of DHBW as a university. The programme was previously supported by the DHBW Foundation; this year, for the first time, the programmes were also funded by the student body (quality assurance funds). The short-term study programme is being held in the Basque region of Spain in cooperation with Mondragon University from the EU4Dual network. The programme aims to provide students with intercultural and language skills. The students take part in company visits, with regional cooperatives providing particularly interesting points for discussion. Excursions to the region are also planned, including to Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum, in order to offer students a broad cultural experience. This year, 25 students were selected from 64 applications for the short-term study programme. The high demand for the programme demonstrates the enormous student interest in this kind of short-term programme abroad. We are proud to be able to offer our students this valuable international experience. Another short-term programme in Mexico is planned for November in collaboration with Tec de Monterrey.
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