skip to content

Photo: Haberer Tchao

 

New Perspectives through Erasmus Exchange

Internationalization at home

 

Have you ever asked yourself what administration and teaching is like at top universities like Oxford or the Sorbonne? Probably everything is better organized… But is that really so? See for yourself! The University of Cologne offers its central and decentral administration employees the possibility to visit a European university in the framework of the Erasmus “Staff Mobility” program. This gives them the opportunity to get to know the university, the country and the people.

A report by Svenja Rausch


“Besides exchanging professional experiences, we spoke a lot about the difficult political situation in Hungary.”
The Central European University in Budapest. Photo: Silvia Strick

“As an academic staff member of the Master’s degree admission office of the UoC’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, I process about 1,000 external and 500 internal Master’s degree applications per year. Getting to know the admission procedures of another European university was very interesting for me,” Sylvia Strick explains. She has been working in the Faculty’s administration for many years and visited Central European University in Budapest in the framework of the program. “I got many new stimuli for my work here in Cologne. Particularly in the area of public relations, there was a lot to learn.”

The program allows staff members to go abroad for a minimum of five days to a university in any EU country (plus Norway and Turkey) to get acquainted with everyday work there. Participants do not necessarily have to visit departments that directly correspond to their responsibilities at home. If all sides agree, they can also visit other areas. It is all about getting an impression of the other institution and a feel for the other culture. What matters most is exchange and dialogue among people.

“You don’t have to go Oxford or Cambridge to be at an excellent British university!”

“I was able to convince the University of Birmingham to take part in the exchange program. The press team there took the Erasmus program to literally imply ‘exchange.’ So before I went to England, we hosted a visitor from Birmingham. Stuart spent a week with us at the UoC’s Press and Communications Department in July 2015. Before he arrived, we devised a detailed schedule for him. We wanted to show him as many facets of our work as possible.” Sebastian Grote is an editor at the University of Cologne’s Press and Communications Department. His priority was to spend time at a British university – not just to polish up his English, but also because he had never been to the British Isles before. “I can definitely recommend the University of Birmingham for a staff mobility visit.”

1 / 2
  • The iconic Aston Webb building on campus of the University of Birmingham. Photo: Sebastian Grote
  • House boats in the center of Birmingham. Photo: Sebastian Grote
Entrance to the campus of Durham Business School. Photo: Stefanie Frommhold

Steffi Frommhold, a program manager at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, also brought back many positive impressions from Great Britain. She visited the Durham University Business School. “I was curious to find out how degree programs are managed at an English business school – its structures, procedures and the challenges people there face. And I wanted to boost my English language skills. My contact person in Durham was really helpful and organized many meetings for me. That way, I was able to exchange experiences with many English colleagues on degree program management in Cologne and Durham.” 

One program for everyone
Dr Kirsten Schäfer on our campus in Cologne. She exchanged views and experiences with colleagues at the Charles University Prague. Photo: S. Rausch

All employees working in the UoC’s central and decentral administration are eligible to apply – from directors to secretaries, and from areas as diverse as finance, library, management and printing. Internationality touches all university employees. We come in contact with international students and researchers in all areas of university administration, not only in the faculties and departments. Hence all central and decentral areas of the university should be multilingual, open-minded and understanding.

Dr. Kirsten Schäfer confirms this: “In my everyday work as a head of division and as the coordinator of the UoC’s Institutional Strategy, I often have to deal with academic issues of international scope. At Charles University in Prague, I had many interesting talks with colleagues working at the faculties and in the university administration.”

 

“My stay in Italy not only broadened my horizon, I also got valuable impulses for my work in Cologne.”
1 / 2
  • Sabine Haberer Tchao with a colleague of the European University Institute in Florence. Photo: Haberer Tchao
  • The old buildings are a reminder of ancient times in Florence at the European University Institute. Photo: Haberer Tchao Photo:Haberer-Tschao

Sabine Haberer Tchao manages the library of the Chair for Civil Law and Theory of Law. She spent a week at the library of the European University Institute (EUI) in Fiesole near Florence in Italy: “The EUI library is in an old restored monastery surrounded by beautiful gardens and villas housing other departments of the institute. From the terrace of the main building, Badia Fiesolana, in which the library is also located, you have a beautiful view across the valley to Florence. Rarely in my life have I experienced such a beautiful work atmosphere. From the beginning, my interactions with other people at the EUI, who come from all over Europe, were very cordial. People were very generous with their time and allowed me to get a very thorough impression of the way the library works.” What about language skills? “Due to its international orientation, the working language of the institute is exclusively English.”

Gaining intercultural competence, improving language skills and experiencing a different country. That always looks good on your CV! But what about the application process?

We asked Andreas Böhnke, who is responsible for the program in the Staff Development Department: “The application procedure is uncomplicated. Besides English-language skills, what matters most is willingness to serve as a contact person for international visitors. Moreover, participation in the program offers the unique opportunity to attain a certificate in intercultural competence.” And applicants should be able to explain what they hope to learn at the partner institution that might be useful for their work at home.

Christiane Biehl

Providing opportunities for staff mobility is a measure of our internationalization strategy.

Christiane Biehl, Head of International Mobility at UoC
You are highly motivated, but what do your superiors say to the exchange?

Christiane Biehl, the coordinator of the Erasmus programs at the University of Cologne and Head of the International Office’s Department for International Mobility, says: “Providing opportunities for staff mobility is an explicit measure of our internationalization strategy. It promotes intercultural awareness at home and is supported by the university headship.” She also notes: “In this context, spending a week at a European partner university is not the only option. It is embedded into an intercultural framework at the University of Cologne that is intended to facilitate international encounters in the everyday life of our university. In addition to spending a week abroad, for example, we offer an intercultural training and a language course to prepare for the trip.”

Applications to the Staff Mobility program are accepted every year until 15 January. However, participants often cancel their plans. Thus it may also be possible to apply after this date.