Semester abroad in times of Corona? Faculty of Business and Engineering invites students to online information events
The Faculty of Business and Engineering is internationally oriented and hoasts a lively exchange students with over 30 partner universities worldwide. More than 70 students of the degree programs Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen and Logistik, as well as Business and Engineering and Logistics had successfully applied for a stay abroad for the current winter semester. Due to the pandemic, the stays were, with a few exceptions, either not possible or could only happen digitally. Some had to either be postponed to the following semesters or in some cases had to be cancelled altogether. "This is a bitter setback for our students and also for us! It’s a pity that the pandemic has thwarted our plans. Wherever possible, we tried to create flexible alternatives," says Christine Barthelme from the Faculty of Business and Engineering.
New Semester - New Chance
It is not yet possible to estimate how the current situation will develop in the coming months due to the pandemic. Looking positively into the future, the faculty nevertheless invited all students interested in a stay in the winter semester 2021/22 and summer semester 2022 to online information events. Important information was presented and students' questions were answered regarding the organisational part of semester abroad planning, financing possibilities, and the individual partner universities. A surprisingly large number of students took advantage of the offer and is just as hopeful as the faculty that an exchange will soon be possible again. The Faculty's International Officer, Prof. Dr. Hannes Huttelmaier, said: "A semester abroad is a special experience that we would like to make possible for you! If you are interested, please apply in any case. We are hopeful as well and will do everything in our power to ensure that your stay abroad will be possible!
The faculty was supported by Kathrin Sammetinger of “Hochschulservice Internationales” (HSIN). Ms. Sammetinger advises: "There are many possibilities to get a grant or scholarship for the stay abroad. We at HSIN will be happy to help you find the right program! Ultimately, however, it is up to you to apply for the appropriate sponsorship. It is worth investing some time".
Applications for a stay abroad can be submitted by students of the Faculty WI to international.fwi[at]fhws.de until 06.12.2020. Further information on the application process and the application form can be found on the faculty's homepage.