For the 14th time, Osnabrück University is inviting international students to take part in the Summer Schools. This year, 51 students from 14 countries are taking part. "Science and peaceful coexistence have one thing in common: creative exchange across all borders," says Prof. Dr. Andrea Lenschow, Vice President for International Affairs, Diversity and Academic Staff Development at Osnabrück University. "Our summer schools are a particularly good example of how this is not only thought about at our university and in the City of Peace Osnabrück, but also lived together."
In a total of four courses, students acquire basic German language skills and take a closer look at the history of Germany. For the basic courses "Introduction to German Language and Culture (GLC) A1.1" and "Introduction to German Language and Culture (GLC) A1.2", little or no previous knowledge is required. The basics of the German language are taught here. "It's always easier to learn a language in the country itself, because speaking it is usually neglected in the home country," says Annika Große from the International Office at Osnabrück University. "Here, they can put what they've learned into practice straight away and learn a lot from and with each other, especially culturally." Among other things, students learn how to introduce themselves and hold a simple conversation with someone in German. The aim is to reach language level A1.1 or A1.2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Unlike the basic courses, the "Advanced Intensive German (AIG)" course is aimed at students with A2/B1 level. The aim is to achieve B1/B2 level through project-based work. Students can choose between the Osnabrück University's focus areas - migration, peace, sustainability and artificial intelligence - and develop a podcast, a website or an Instagram format, for example. Participants can implement the practical projects in Osnabrück University's DigiLab. "I enjoy meeting people from all over the world," says David Irving from the USA, a participant on the course. "I think intercultural exchange is very important, not only for personal growth, but also to grow as a global society."
In the fourth course, "Germany and the Atlantic World (GAW)", students will spend a month studying the history of Germany in the Atlantic region, focusing on topics such as war and revolutions, slavery, colonization, the Hanseatic League and more. The course is taught in English by Dr. Kristalyn M. Shefveland from the University of Southern Indiana and is combined with German courses at levels A1.1 and A1.2. "I am very interested in German history and politics," says Alvyna Naima Anwar from Indonesia, a participant in the course. "Germany also has a culture rich in tradition and I'm looking forward to learn more about it." At the end of the course, the students present their own research project based on the course content and the course literature.
In the first week, the students were welcomed in the Friedenssaal of the town hall. In addition to the lessons, the International Office offers numerous excursions in and around Osnabrück. In the coming weeks, the international guests will go on a boat trip to the Rubbenbruchsee lake, to the Felix Nussbaum House and to Osnabrück city center for a night watchman tour. At weekends, longer trips are offered to Bremen and the North Sea for mudflat hiking. "Our cultural events are part of the immersion concept on which the summer schools are based," says Rouven Brinkmann from Osnabrück University's International Office. "We want to offer our guest students a variety of points of contact with cultures lived in Germany and the people who live these cultures."
The Summer Schools are organized every year by Osnabrück University's International Office and are aimed at students from all over the world, with many participants from partner universities taking up the offer. "The summer schools are a unique opportunity for those students from our partner universities who do not have the opportunity to go abroad for a semester or even a degree course," says Rouven Brinkmann. "This makes them an essential part of our efforts to make mobility and intercultural experiences as inclusive and diverse as possible." The language courses were developed and implemented with the Osnabrück University Language Center.
Further information for the media:
Annika Große, Osnabrück University
International Office
annika.grosse@uni-osnabrueck.de
