International Spirit on CampusThe Orientation Weeks at Aalen University for Foreign Students
The international students of the international program were greeted at the university. Photo: Joel Peter D'Souza
Even before lectures started, an international atmosphere could be felt on campus, because like every semester, students from all over the world came to Aalen to take part in Aalen university’s International Center’s orientation weeks. Around 60 international degree seeking and exchange students were welcomed and guided around the campus in small groups.
Support for International Students
“The International Relations Office offers international students numerous opportunities to support them in their integration at the university, in society and in the job market. However, it is particularly important to inform the students about all offers at the beginning of the semester, and that is why the orientation weeks before the actual lecture period are the best time for this," says Dr. Lola Bulut, who supports international students in the early stages of their studies as part of the ENGAGE project.
Further Programs
But other programs such as the International Center’s "Buddy Program" or the "Family Program" also help students integrate into the Aalen campus life and into the new study environment in general with their regular events. In the intercultural training, which is done together with their German buddies, cultural differences are scrutinized. As part of the Family Program, families from the region show international students their homeland on Sunday walks for example, also called Sunday “Walk & Talks.” Getting acquainted is aided by various evening programs such as a movie night, game nights, meet & match, etc. The international students look forward to meeting German students as well. During a scavenger hunt in the city with first-year students of the preliminary math course, the English-language exchange worked out really well.
Would you like to get to know our international students? Then have a look at our Intercultural Club or at the English Chat Club every Wednesday. If you are interested, please contact Katrin Zinser at katrin.zinser@hs-aalen.de.