For 17 years, student project group have been supporting international students at MHH with a welcome and action programme.
Professor Ingo Just (left) with Sidrei Yassin Kassab, Nora Elouahabi, Laurids Matti Nieber and Kamel Zayed and Michael Knüppel, Director of Studentenwerk Hannover. Copyright: IsiEmhh/MHH and Studentenwerk Hannover/www.geflasht.de
Last week, Studentenwerk Hannover awarded the student project group IsiEmhh at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) the prize for social engagement in higher education. With this award, the student services association recognises the long-standing and special commitment to foreign first-year students at the MHH.
IsiEmhh stands for ‘Integration, linguistic and intercultural entry at the MHH’. To help them settle into their studies and society, the students in the project group welcome international students at the beginning of each academic year with an introductory week and organise an extensive programme of activities during the first year of study, which is primarily aimed at overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers. The Studentenwerk prize is endowed with 1,500 euros.
Weekly subject tutorials in the first year of study
The project group supports first-year students with a foreign language background in all degree programmes at the MHH with language-based subject tutorials, which take place as workshops before the start of the degree programme and weekly during the first year. "The tutorials offer guidance for the successful integration of students into the German university system, who often come from countries with a different learning and educational culture. The project group's cultural programme promotes relationships with German students and supports international students in integrating into everyday university life," according to the Studentenwerk Award citation. In addition, the project group's approximately 20 tutors help international students with everyday obstacles and difficulties. These include, for example, finding accommodation or applying for scholarships and BAföG.
Strengthening the university as a whole
The laudatory speech was given by Prof. Dr. Ingo Just, former Dean of Studies at the MHH and long-time supporter of IsiEmhh: "In the demanding field of medicine, it is essential to overcome technical, professional and organisational hurdles at an early stage. IsiEmhh provides a reliable bridge for this; it is much more than a support programme: it stands for genuine internationality, openness and a future-oriented university that sees integration as an enrichment.‘ The overwhelmingly positive response confirms how valuable this programme is. ’It greatly benefits the students and strengthens the university as a whole," emphasised Professor Just.
Commitment, passion and creativity
Mareike Hoffmann, who coordinates the project as a member of the MHH International Office, is delighted with the award: "I am incredibly proud of the students. As project coordinator, I work closely with the project group and see how much commitment, passion and creativity the members bring to the table. Despite the double burden of their studies and part-time jobs, they show impressive dedication, both in workshops and events as well as in tutorials and in the programme for guides. Seeing how the students flourish in their tasks and help shape our unique project is a great pleasure for me."
Intercultural exchange is fun
‘For me, IsiEmhh is a special project group,’ explained Laurids Matti Nieber, chairman of the IsiEmhh board. ‘I really enjoy the close exchange with international students – whether in tutorials, during intercultural evenings or during brief encounters in the corridors of the MHH. I am particularly looking forward to the cooking class next semester, where we will cook the most delicious dishes from all over the world together with international students.’
Text: Bettina Dunker