Debut for the Hybrid Summer School International Summer Courses at TU Braunschweig

For the 40th time, the Technische Universität Braunschweig has organised international summer courses for students in September and October. Following a year and a half of the pandemic and the cancellation of the courses last year, nearly all of the 18 participants were able to travel to Braunschweig again and take part in both in-person and digital events.

For the first time, the Summer School consisted of a Corona-compliant hybrid programme: The four-week course on German language and culture was conducted exclusively online, but it was supplemented by lectures and excursions in and around Braunschweig, most of which could take place in person. „This hybrid format was a great opportunity for both us and the students. We were able to provide courses for all participants, regardless of their location, and at the same time offer a small accompanying programme on site,“ explains coordinator Dr. Eika Auschner (International House).

Impressions from the opening event: Thanks to the hybrid concept, parts of the Summer School could take place in person. Picture credit: International House/TU Braunschweig

Historical architecture, such as here in Wolfenbüttel, was very popular among the participants. Picture credit: International House/TU Braunschweig

The programme included excursions to various TU institutes, including the Institute for Structural Design … Picture credit: International House/TU Braunschweig

… and the the Institute of Robotics and Process Control. Picture credit: International House/TU Braunschweig

At the research airport, Aircraft components were close enough to touch. Picture credit: International House/TU Braunschweig

Preparing for studying abroad

The majority of the students who took part in the courses will stay in Braunschweig during the winter semester 2021/22 to complete an exchange semester. Most of them study at the University of Rhode Island, a strategic partner of TU Braunschweig; others came from France, Spain, and South Africa. For many of the students, the Summer School serves as preparation for practising their German skills face-to-face. In addition, they gain insights into German culture, history, and politics.

Reasearch Insights

The excursions were closely linked to the course content and led the participants to Goslar, Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg and Berlin, for example. The historical city centres, especially in our region, inspired many of the students. Visits to the research airport, the Institute for Robotics and Process Informatics and the concrete printer at the Institute for Structural Design were also on the schedule for the participants, who are mostly engineering students.

After four intensive weeks, the international summer courses ended with the certification ceremony on 8 October, but the planning for next year’s courses has already begun.

Text: Dr. Eika Auschner, Jana Schweier / International House