by VICTORIA SCHMIDT

…but there is still need for improvements.This semester the International Office offers new seminars especially for international students.
According to recent surveys in Germany, there exists the frightening number of up to 80 per cent of university drop outs amongst international students. Now new attempts have been made to find out the reasons for this. PROFIS is the name of the DAAD’s project for improving the support of international students.
After a successful application for funding under the PROFIS project of the International Office, the University of Flensburg has launched its own PROFIS initiative.
The first part of the local project was focussed on analysing the present situation of foreign students in Flensburg: Mareike Tarazona (Institute for Educational Research) undertook a survey amongst international students. In comparison to the national standards mentioned it had a positive outcome. Nearly two thirds of students can recommend studying at the University of Flensburg. Nevertheless, there are some facts which are emphasised and criticised by international students: They wish for more contact to German students and for more integration in German culture.
The former wish is taken up by the International Week – as a result of the latter, seminars have been devised and are currently offered exclusively to foreign students. Ulrike Bischoff-Parker, Head of the International Office, stresses that setting up these courses was a challenge in planning and co-ordinating, because of the students’ already filled schedules. In spite of this, the International Office has commissioned various academic staff of the university to create a set of four seminars which provide basic information on key elements of studying and living in Germany. One seminar is about textual competence, whilst another one deals with interculturality. Academic research and writing is the topic of the third seminar. The fourth one is to be highlighted: In a lecture series central aspects of Germany are presented by different lecturers. The choice of topics ranges from historical, geographical to educational and economical aspects, and covers even art, music and philosophy, thus providing an overall view of modern German culture. The seminar is therefore to be highly recommended to all international students. The same set of four seminars will be offered again in the winter semester.
Although the time of registration has already ended, guest auditors are always welcome in all four seminars. Contact the International Office for further information.

Seminars for international students:
„Textkompetenz“ (textual competence) – Friday, 10-12, HG 236;
„Interkulturalität“ (interculturality) – Saturdays: 17.05.; 12.07. 9 am - 4 pm; HG 237;
„Methoden und Techniken wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens“ (Academic research and writing) – Thursday, 2 - 4 pm; ZV 101;
„Deutsche Landeskunde“ (German history and culture) - Mondays, 4-6 pm, HG 239.