International

International Week 2025

International Week
May 12th - 16th 2025



Program & Lectures

Program

Monday, May 12

14:00
Arrival and registration of participants

14:30 – 15:15
Welcome and introduction ∙
 Presentation of DHBW and the International Office
Introduction of participants and universities

15:30 – 16:00
Presentation of the Regional Economic Development Agency (WiFöG) and the Welcome Center (Henriette Stanley and Michela Crispo)

16:00 – 17:00
Presentation about Intercultural Competences and statistics from the Erasmus program (International Office)
or
Kick-off training for guest lecturers (Nathan Keeves, Dr. Stephanie Ashford)

17:00
Campus tour and group photo

17:30
Get-together and refreshments

Tuesday, May 13

9:00 – 10:00
Dual Study Concept at DHBW (International Office)

10:00 – 11:00
Intercultural Competences Kick-off (Prof. Clive Flynn)

11:00 – 12:00
Discover Germany: interactive quiz and discussion  (International Office)

12:00 – 14:00
Lunch break: university cafeteria, International Office or city center

14:00 – 16:30
Workshops for participants Staff Week
• Does international mobility increase students’ intercultural competences?
What are the effects and outcomes of study abroad semesters?
How can we evaluate intercultural competences?
Exchange of ideas and experiences of participants.
• Intercultural Certificate and Intercultural Training Programs at DHBW (Charles Caster, DHBW Central International Office)
• Intercultural Workshop for students at DHBW – Presentation and Experiences (Dr. Stephanie Ashford, DHBW Villingen-Schwenningen)

17:00
(OPTIONAL)
Train to Villingen, Guided tour of the medieval city center, dinner in a restaurant in Villingen (at own expense)

 

Wednesday, May 14

8:00 – 12:00
Company Visit at „Duravit AG“, Corporate Partner of DHBW
• How significant are intercultural competences in professional life and society? How can dual partner companies strengthen intercultural competences? (HRM, Duravit AG)

12:00 – 18:00
Excursion: tour by coach to the Black Forest

18:00
Group Dinner by invitation of the International Office

 

Thursday, May 15

9:00 – 12:00
Workshops for participants Staff Week
• How can the International Office better serve diverse target groups?
• Let’s reflect on our own intercultural competences – how do we deal with challenging situations?
• Opportunities of virtual exchange and projects with BLIC as an example (A. Brusis, Prof. J. Bleicher, DHBW Villingen-Schwenningen)

12:00 – 14:00
Lunch break: university cafeteria, International Office building or city center

13:00 – 14:00
(OPTIONAL)

Exhibition "Le Sel Noir" (Municipal Gallery Villingen-Schwenningen), guided tour

14:00 – 17:00
Workshops for participants Staff Week
• How can we strengthen students’ intercultural skills and better prepare them for international experiences during their studies and careers?
Inputs:
Michelle Rodriguez Raupach, Valencia College, USA
Andrea Rutherford, Humber Polytechnic, Canada

18:00
(OPTIONAL)
Walk through nature reserve and moorland "Schwenninger Moos", Dinner in Schwenningen (at own expense)

Friday, May 16

10:00 – 11:30
Feedback & Closing Event:

Future cooperation and projects

Networking café with all participants and the DHBW staff

11:30
Wrap up and awarding of Certificates

13:00
End of International Week and individual departures

 

Workshops

  • What are the effects and outcomes of study abroad semesters?
  • Does international mobility increase students’ intercultural competence?
  • How can we strengthen students' intercultural skills and better prepare them for international experiences during their studies and careers?
  • How significant are intercultural competences in professional life and society?
  • How can the International Office better serve diverse target groups?
  • Let's reflect on our own intercultural competence - how do we deal with challenging situations?

Academic Staff

We invite academic staff to give lectures from a variety of fields, such as management, economics, finance, health, international relations, IT, political science, social work and other topics to provide a multi-faceted insight into current issues.

Possible topics can include corporate social responsibility, Artificial Intelligence, digitalization, sustainability, globalization, intercultural competence.

Information & Documents

Guide for Visiting Lecturers – Using English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI)

Quick Guide – Key Tips for Lecturers Teaching Internationally

International Relations Staff / non-academic staff

We invite colleagues from a variety of areas, such as International Relations, Erasmus Offices, Career services etc, to participate in our workshops and activities. Participants are welcome to present experiences and related topics. The focus in 2025 will be will be on

Crossing Cultures - Enhancing Intercultural Competence for Global Mobility

Intercultural competence plays an important role fostering global mobility and is essential for effective and successful experiences abroad. It highlights the importance of appreciating and understanding diversity while navigating different cultural contexts. During our interactive workshops we will discuss and explore intercultural competences from multiple perspectives and learn from best practices. We will reflect on our own intercultural competence and exchange how we deal with challenging situations.

Our region

Experience the Black Forest region in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, one of the leading economic and innovative regions in Germany and Europe, home to internationally renowned companies, but also a vacation destination with beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural life.

On the edge of the Central Black Forest, centrally located between Stuttgart and Lake Constance in the border triangle of Germany, France and Switzerland, Villingen-Schwenningen is an ideal destination for an interesting city trip or a vacation in a unique landscape. Enjoy the livable and lovable town with its many possibilities and discover what it has to offer.

Explore Villingen's historic town center with its numerous sights, beautiful half-timbered houses, romantic alleyways and babbling brooks. Embark on a fascinating tour into the past of the Zähringer town, as the almost intact town wall with its mighty fortified and gate towers, which surrounds the Zähringer crossroads, is also worth a visit.

Also worth seeing is the Schwenninger Moos, a moorland area and natural paradise that can be reached in a few minutes from our university.

Application

We will accept applications until January 31st, 2025. The number of participants is limited to 20.

Please use the application form below.

Contact

Claudia Rzepka

"International Office"

International Office