9 May 2023

The International Project Week for students is being held at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences for the 25th time. Thirty-five international guest lecturers from 18 countries have travelled to Nordhausen for the event.

On 8 May, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences opened its 25th International Project Week. Speakers from Belgium, Bulgaria, Belgium, Finland, France, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Colombia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, the Czech Republic and the USA travelled to Nordhausen for the event - in some cases for the first time. Lecturers from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences also offered projects - one even took place in Portugal.

The International Project Week is an integral part of the so-called internationalisation at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences: for one week, students work on various projects in English with guest lecturers and practitioners from other countries. On the last project day, they present their results and then rotate once again with other project groups for a mutual presentation.

In particular, students who are unable to spend time abroad during their studies for family or health reasons, for example, are given the opportunity to gain international (practical) experience during their studies - but on site - to sharpen their intercultural and English skills and to be prepared for the globalised labour market.

The concept of the International Project Week was brought to Nordhausen by Thomas Hoffman, who took up his position as the first International Affairs Officer at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences in 1998 following the re-founding of the university and utilised many of his contacts for this purpose. He is now Chairman of the University's Staff Council; one of the project leaders of the very first project week is back again this year to mark the 25th anniversary. Just over a third of the guests are in Nordhausen for the first time, including several speakers from new partnerships initiated since last year.

Parallel to the project programme for students, intercultural training sessions for staff and lecturers will also be held daily at the university during this week.

Next Saturday, everyone will have the opportunity to get to know the international teaching staff as part of Nordhausen University's Open Day: workshops and discussions will be held in English on 13 May from 1-6 pm. Visitors can also watch and take part in two special final presentations of the International Project Week: the martial art Gatka and rhythmic basketball in social work fields. Partner universities and international internship organisations of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences will also be providing information about semesters and internships abroad together with the International Office.