Virtual Opportunities in International Education
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every aspect of our lives. Closed borders, travel restrictions and public health measures to contain the virus have deeply impacted global student mobility. Some of our partner universities have made the difficult decision to cancel physical exchange programs for 2020 and the first half of 2021. At the same time, many of those universities have seized this opportunity to expand their international education portfolio for students by developing virtual exchange or mobility programs.
Virtual mobility courses and virtual exchange programs bring together students from different countries and institutions to work together on a common topic. Because the intercultural environment is integral to these courses, they offer great opportunities for students to expand their horizons, developing valuable, career relevant intercultural communication skills as well as new insights into their academic studies. The University of Göttingen is already active in this area offering numerous courses in English through the Center for Intercultural Communication and ZESS, as well as in collaboration with partner universities such as McMaster University (Canada). These courses can help prepare students for a stay abroad or even fulfil the desire for an international experience when international travel is not possible. A distinct advantage of these courses is that students can pursue them alongside their regular semester courses and earn ECTS for key competencies.
Courses for the summer semester are being developed. For the current offerings this semester (and there are still some spaces available!), go to https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/627571.html
Contact:
Stephen J. Sechrist
International Office – Study Abroad Advisor
Phone: +49 (0)551 39 21315
Email: stephen.sechrist@zvw.uni-goettingen.de