Nr. 183 / 2016

04. August 2016 : Osnabrück University enjoys international popularity - Three summer schools involving 53 students from 18 countries

OSNABRÜCK.- This summer, Osnabrück University hosted three international summer schools for the seventh time. A total of 53 students from 18 countries visited the university to attend three-week subject courses. Moreover, 54 lecturers from Germany and other countries were instrumental in creating an inspiring, international atmosphere.

In addition to programs on international health sciences and intercultural psychology, the schools of biology/chemistry and physics joined forces to host a summer school on the topic of »Biomembranes & Cellular Microcompartments« for the first time. »In our school, we combine a strong tradition in biomembrane research with the development of new technologies at the interface of nanoscience and cell biology,« stated Professor Dr. Joost Holthuis, coordinator of the program. Twelve international students benefited from a unique program that combines theory with experiments, an international scientific symposium, and a career development workshop focusing on how to make the next move within or outside academia.  

During the »International Health Sciences« summer school, led by Professor Dr. Birgit Babitsch, Nina-Alexandra Götz and Julia Zeitler, the participants compared different health systems from around the world. For this purpose,   lecturers were recruited from, inter alia, Spain, the Netherlands, Tasmania and the USA.  

In addition to receiving specialist input, the participants enjoyed a number of field trips, giving them an insight into local care structures. The successful transfer of theory to practice was ensured by undertaking visits to the Academy of Klinikum Osnabrück, the Christliches Kinderhospital Osnabrück, medicos.Osnabrück, the Laborarztpraxis Osnabrück and Klinikum Osnabrück.  

It was the fourth time that the Institute of Psychology had organized a summer school on the topic of »Intercultural Competencies«. »We were delighted to welcome 16 students from Costa Rica, the USA, Syria, India, Turkey and England to our summer school,« stated Professor Julia Becker, Managing Director of Osnabrück University’s Institute of Psychology.  

The program of this summer school was essentially based on a three-step process in which participants explored various issues from a psychological perspective, taking both a theoretical and a practical approach. Examples of the issues addressed included: »What is culture?«, »What does intercultural competence mean?« and »How can intercultural competencies be systematically developed?«.  

In addition to specialist continuing education, the international summer schools also offered a taster course in German, organized by the Language Center. Moreover, the participants enjoyed a varied social program with an emphasis on culture. Besides city tours to Berlin and Bremen, the program also included exploring the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site during a tidal flat walk.  

The participation of four Costa Rican students in the summer school was made possible through scholarships granted by the Sievert Foundation for Science and Culture. The Institute of Psychology awarded a total of four scholarships to refugees and individuals from developing countries.  

»We are delighted to have established an attractive program for our partner universities by offering these summer schools,« stated Dr. Stephanie Schröder, Head of the International Office. »In addition to traditional semesters and internships abroad, there is a continuous increase in demand around the world for short stays like these. The summer school program also contributes to the internationalization of research and teaching at Osnabrück University.«

Further information for editorial staff:
Dr. Stephanie Schröder, Osnabrück University
International Office
Neuer Graben 27, 49074 Osnabrück,
Tel.: +49 541 969 4106
Email: stephanie.schroeder@uni-osnabrueck.de