Imagine the following study options were offered at your place of study. Would you take advantage of them? Or would you have done so if they had been available at an earlier point in time? (1= quite certain; ...; 5 = not at all)
Guest Lecturer: A well-known capacity from a foreign European university is offering a one-semester seminar on a very interesting topic not otherwise offered in this quality at your place of study. The seminar will be taught in English.
Language Course "Unorthodox Language": A
four-semester course is being offered on a less widespread European language
(e.g. Danish or Greek). You will gain adequate skills for daily usage and
the ability to read and comprehend specialized texts on your own.
The acquired qualifications will be certified.
Language Course "Technical English": Based on medium to good English skills, a two-semester course will enable you to read and comprehend specialized texts on your own.
Language Course "English for Beginners": English has never been your strong point. In a two-semester basic course, you can acquire elementary English skills and thus prepare yourself for the language course Technical English.
"International Classroom": In a one-semester intensive seminar you will have the opportunity to learn and conduct research together with students of your discipline from other European countries (e.g. Finland, Spain and France). The project includes access to a "classroom" equipped with reference works, computers and other necessary working materials. Work is to be done 8 hours a day, for 5 days a week. Each day is to begin with a 1 1/2 hour introduction by a visiting professor from one of the participating countries, followed by independent work in small groups of mixed nationality. The project language is English. Participation in preparatory language courses is possible. ... And what if work were only to be done 3 days a week?
"International Classroom" Abroad: There is an opportunity to participate in a similar project abroad (see previous question). You will leave Germany for half a year. You will be provided with accommodations (with students from the host country), and your travel expenses will be paid. You will have to pay for your living expenses, yourself. You will be prepared for your stay abroad. You will be officially credited for the stay. If you receive BAfsG aid, it will continue to be paid.
Group Programme: There is an opportunity to pursue a portion of your studies at a partner university abroad along with other students from your discipline (and your place of study). You will participate in the host universityÕs "normal" curriculum. You will also receive the benefit of special seminars. An eight-week practical phase (e.g. at a company) is included. The host university is to arrange accommodations. A seminar will prepare you for your stay abroad. Language training will be provided before and during the stay, and monthly support amounting to DM 300.00 will be awarded (in addition to BAfsG, where applicable).
Dual Degree: The foreign portion of the Group Programme described above is to make up about half of your overall period of study. In addition to a German degree, you will also receive the corresponding foreign degree (e.g. BachelorÕs, MasterÕs) for your given field of study.
Foreign Aid Project: You are to have the opportunity for "hands-on" application of the professional know-how gained in your studies during an 8-12-week foreign aid project. You are to contribute supportive work, e.g. for the construction of an irrigation system, in setting up health and social advisory services, in the use of computers for an agricultural project, etc. The limited economic and technical resources of the recipient country call for an appropriately adapted approach, for which you will be prepared.
European Integration Unit: For students of all disciplines, a course consisting of seminars and lectures will be offered as an introduction to the tasks faced by European institutions, as well as to Community law. Foreign experts on business/economics, social science and law will exemplarily present the changes (and problems) which are most significantly affecting their countries as a result of Europe. The course is also particularly addressed to foreign students. The course is to be taught in English. Would you participate? ... and what if the course were held in German?
Parallel Seminar: At your place of study, a one-semester "Research Seminar" will be held on a topic which interests you. The findings, and especially the methodological approach, are to be documented in English. Parallel to this, the same seminar is to be held at various European institutions of higher education. After completion of the reports, five to six interested participants from each participating country are to discuss the findings at a "conference" in Brussels. At the end of the semester, the report from this conference is to be used as a basis for presenting the findings of the research done, as well as the different approaches taken by the other European participants, in the seminar. ... and at the conference, as well?
Virtual Seminar: On a topic which interests you, a "virtual seminar" is being offered for students and educators from around the world. Communication between students and instructors is to be in English, via the "information highway" (Internet, mailing lists). Seminar papers, discussion contributions, ideas, questions, etc. are to be made available to all seminar members in the form of computer files. You will be called upon to comment on or reply to contributions by others. Internet skills will be learned in the seminar. Regular study credit will be awarded for the seminar.
... or would you have preferred to have chosen a completely different "international" curriculum right from the start? For example European Studies: You will qualify yourself as an expert on European issues (with an appropriate degree) by acquiring wide-ranging, interdisciplinary knowledge (on European law, economics, geography, culture, etc.).
© 1997, Hochschul-Informations-System
GmbH Hannover
Peter Müßig-Trapp (muessig@his.de)
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