Internationalization @ home in Engineering Education: Enhancing Social Capital in English-taught Master´s Programmes

Abstract

German higher education institutions attract students from all over the word for degree mobility, especially after the Bologna reform has led to an increase in internationally-oriented, English-taught study programmes. With such programmes, universities serve the politically intended purpose of attracting highly qualified talent in the form of international graduates that might potentially stay for the German job market. But for the transition from studies to the work market to be successful, it is essential for international students to acquire social capital in the form of contacts to people from the host country. This paper firstly presents results of a study on the situation of students who come to study in international engineering programmes at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany, focusing on the unsatisfactory contact situation of international and German students revealed in the study. Secondly, measures of the project ELLI2 – Excellent Teaching and Learning in Engineering Sciences – are introduced that aim at improving this situation, fascilitating contact between German and international engineering students. The set-up of a tandem-programme is presented, as well as participation structure and evaluation results of the first two runs of this programm in 2017/18. In addition, an international student council network will be introduced.

Exploring key themes and trends in international student mobility research —A systematic literature review

“…, 2019). HEIs in Germany are piloting programmes in Tandem Studies which allows international students and German students to work together to improve their language proficiencies which helps in the employability of the international students (Strenger and Ulbrich, 2019). Employers suggest that HEIs are in the driver's seat, as they need to understand the requirements of the job market and make graduates ready for the most important roles (Nilsson and Ripmeester, 2016).…”

“…HEIs also have a role in helping international students find employment after graduation, with many institutions including mandatory internships to provide valuable work experience for their students and offering job-seeking training and other career advice services (Cameron et al, 2019). HEIs in Germany are piloting programmes in Tandem Studies which allows international students and German students to work together to improve their language proficiencies which helps in the employability of the international students (Strenger and Ulbrich, 2019). Employers suggest that HEIs are in the driver's seat, as they need to understand the requirements of the job market and make graduates ready for the most important roles (Nilsson and Ripmeester, 2016).…”