What inspired you to join the team at Freie Universität Berlin International Summer and Winter University (FUBiS)?
During my studies, I regularly spent some time abroad. When I read that FUBiS is looking for an intern to make sure that international students have a smooth and great time abroad as well, that sounded exactly like something I would like to do.
The FUBiS Team
Describe a typical day/week as Program Manager.
The work varies, depending on the time of the year. During a running term, we staff the FUBiS office for questions and concerns, we make sure the courses run smoothly, and we solve upcoming issues. Between terms, communication with partner universities, setting up new courses, and preparations for our next group of students make up the biggest part of my work.
You have worked for FUBiS since 2013. What changes have you seen over the years?
We have rising participant numbers, especially in the winter term. Even though it has always been an international program, students are coming from all over the world by now.
What is more, the teaching environment has also changed. Technical equipment is more modern, the program has its own classrooms by now, and we have long cooperations with universities in the world as well as always returning teaching staff.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite parts are those 13 weeks of running FUBiS terms per year. Even though days are more packed and hectic during these weeks, it’s very rewarding to be in touch with the students. It feels good to be part of the FUBiS team, everyone is always supportive and reliable, and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed.
Usedom, Pomerania
How does your background in translation and international communication influence your current work?
The topic of my studies is now helpful for understanding what it means to get to know a new culture. Foreign language skills come in handy as well, as they are essential when working in an international environment (we don’t expect everyone to be fluent in German ;-) ).
What can students expect from the German courses at FUBiS?
FUBiS offers intensive and semi-intensive German courses on five different levels of proficiency. The maximum participant number for one course is 15. Small groups and our experienced instructors guarantee that all students who constructively and productively participate in our courses and course excursions (which are integral parts of the curriculum) will noticeably improve their German skills.
Why should students choose FUBiS over other institutions?
FUBiS is a very experienced short-term program. For 20 years, we have been organizing full study abroad experiences (if needed, including housing and excursions) and each year we ask our students for feedback. This gives us the chance to constantly improve our program and to react to changing needs over the years. What is more, FUBiS is one of very few European programs that has successfully completed the Quality Improvement Program (QUIP) of the Forum on Education Abroad.
Preparations in the office
What hopes do you have for the future of programs at FUBiS?
Even though we already offer a variety of subject course topics from various subject areas, including (art) history, architecture, cultural studies, literature, economics/business, and politics, I hope that in the future we can cover even further fields of study (e.g. such as natural sciences).
Why is it important to travel and experience new cultures?
Travelling helps to understand the privileges we have “at home”. People tend to complain a lot in their everyday lives rather than seeing the positive aspects. If you travel, you learn to appreciate the things that work well for you in the place where you normally live. Experiencing new cultures is important to reflect your own thoughts on and attitude towards life. We tend to believe that our way of thinking is the only “right” or “good” one, but meeting people from other cultures with other habits and opinions is a good way to at least critically question your own thoughts every once in a while—and to accept that there is not only one right way of thinking.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, travelling is meaningful as long as you are open to the culture you are travelling in, as much as this might sound like a cliché. You have to be aware that you can’t experience something new as long as you always stay within your comfort zone. As an example, I like to do couchsurfing. You stay with people you don’t know but who live in the place you are visiting. Usually, this influences the way you perceive a culture a lot. It becomes more tangible and in the best case you will meet your host again someday in the future. In other words, I believe that exchange is a key element for personal growth while travelling.
