In today’s globalized world, borders are not considered a limitation anymore but an incentive to travel abroad and experience new cultures.
Many students decide to leave their homeland and pursue a study program or internship in a different country. Today like never before, the process of internationalization plays a critical role in most universities worldwide. These programs aim at increasing and facilitating the mobility of their students. Consequently, international mobility is a top issue at University of Passau. The school offers not only establishments such as the International Office and the Career Service, but also additional services provided by students. An example of this is the “Auslandstutoren” (Study-Abroad Mentors).
The team of the Study-Abroad Mentors is composed of eight students who are working as assistants and are responsible for advising students who want to spend a period of time in the following areas: Italy, France, Spain/Portugal, UK/Ireland, USA, France/Québec, Latin America, South-East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe. Each mentor can provide expertise in one of these locations from their own previous experience either studying or doing an internship. Each mentor offers a consultation session, which takes place every 3 weeks in his or her university office. A Study-Abroad Mentors’ enjoy working with both German and international students who wish to plan their work/study abroad.
Also, they arrange several events that focus on preparation and provide a reflection of abroad programs such as “Rückkehrerseminar”(seminar for students who have just come back) and “Wegfahrerseminar”(seminar for students who are going to leave). Additionally, they organize workshops to go along with the lecture: Introduction in the Intercultural Communication. These seminars they are organized by the Department of Intercultural Communication, which developed the concept of the “Auslandtutoren” a few years ago. Good communication and cooperation with the International Office (the people who supervise mentors from an administrative point of view), the Career Services, different “Fachschaften” and university groups is a crucial point to establish great results.
So, if you are planning your stay abroad and want to take advice from students who have lived the same experiences before get in touch with the Study-Abroad Mentors. Go to their office, visit the events or just send them an email!
For more info:
http://www.uni-passau.de/international/internationale-gruppen/auslandstutoren/
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