Two weeks before the official start of the semester, RWU welcomes its international students with a comprehensive welcome and support program. The Welcome Week is much more than just an organizational introduction: it combines practical assistance with cultural orientation and personal exchange.
The initial focus is on very basic topics such as enrolment, registration with authorities and questions about health insurance. The program is supplemented by a campus tour and explorations of the cities of Weingarten and Ravensburg. An excursion to Lake Constance is also an integral part of the induction week. In addition, students receive important information on the organization of their studies, communication channels at the university and accompanying language courses.
"The diversity of countries of origin is special this year"
"We are starting this summer semester at RWU with an exceptionally large number of international students. Over 100 young people from 26 different countries have registered. This diversity of countries of origin is also special this year," says Ramona Hermann, who is responsible for international full-time students at RWU.
The so-called degree-seeking students complete their entire studies at RWU and are usually enrolled in one of the English-language degree programs. The English-language Bachelor's programs Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, E-Mobility and Green Energy, International Project Engineering and Mechatronics start in the summer semester.
Four exchange students from Brazil
Not all students were able to arrive as planned. Due to canceled flights, further arrivals are expected in the coming days, especially from Asia. "This year we have students from countries that we haven't welcomed to RWU for a long time, for example from New Zealand or South Africa. And this year we also have more European students among the degree seekers, for example from Romania or Albania," continues Ramona Hermann.
In addition to full-time students, RWU also welcomes numerous exchange students who come to Weingarten for one or two semesters. Many of them come from European countries and study at RWU as part of the Erasmus program. Students also come from overseas, often from RWU's partner universities - including four students from Brazil this semester.
This creates an international network right from the start
In addition to organizational issues, networking plays a central role. "Welcome Week is important for our international students. We help them to find their way around our culture. And what is perhaps even more important: they connect and support each other," says Barbara Wildenhain from the International Office, who looks after the exchange students.
The program therefore not only includes information events, but also numerous bonding activities: shared meals, an excursion to Lake Constance with visits to Friedrichshafen and Lindau as well as a games and karaoke evening. This creates an international network right from the start, which makes it easier for students to get started at RWU and encourages intercultural exchange on campus.
