Presenters
ƒ Chad Fulwider, Emory University
ƒ Joann Ng Hartmann, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville
ƒ *Laura Simkiss, Emory University
ƒ (*Contributor)
What is the BadenWürttemberg seminar?
ƒ Sponsored by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of
Science, Research and Art, with the participation of the
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and
Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and NAFSA.
ƒ 15 AACRAO and/or NAFSA members attend a seminar on
German-American educational exchange.
ƒ Focuses on the German educational system, GermanAmerican academic equivalencies and student exchange
between Germany and the United States.
ƒ Lectures and discussions are complemented by visits to
primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions in
the state of Baden-Württemberg.
Goals of the BadenWürttemberg Seminar
ƒ To gain first hand knowledge of the academic
infrastructure and culture of the home country.
ƒ To gain a broadened perspective of U.S. higher
education and the role of international education within
it.
ƒ To gain an enhanced ability to serve international
students and prospective study-abroad students on our
respective home campuses.
ƒ To have an excellent professional development
opportunity
The online application
Important questions to answer:
ƒ 1. Why do you want this award?
ƒ 2. What are your current responsibilities?
ƒ 3. What is your work experience related to Germany?
ƒ 4. Details about your college or university and your
institution's exchange agreements
Baden-Württemberg Grant
ƒ Airfare – NOT included
ƒ Hotels, meals, most transportation - arranged
The 2006 Seminar Participants
ƒ Ben Bradley, Admissions, Reed College
ƒ James Endrizzi, ISS, California Institute of Technology
ƒ Jennifer Fernandez-Villa, ISS, University of North CarolinaWilmington
ƒ Cheri Glaze, Admissions, University of Georgia
ƒ Joann Ng Hartmann, ISS, University of Tennessee
ƒ Jane Howard, ISS, Mount Ida College
ƒ Tetyana Kharkvoska, Study Abroad, North Central Technical
College
ƒ Charlotte Kibler, ISS, Drew University
ƒ Ronald Pirog, Study Abroad, University of Toledo
ƒ Magid Shirzadegan, Study Abroad, University of Oregon
ƒ Laura Stamey, ISS, Emory University
ƒ Christine Van Giesen, Admissions, University of California-Santa
Barbara
ƒ Robert Watkins, Admissions, University of Texas-Austin
ƒ David Wick, Study Abroad, Arkansas State University
ƒ David Wright, Study Abroad, University of Arizona
The B-W Crew
Our BRAVE hosts
Orientation
Hosted by Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg.
ƒ 1) Several emails regarding clothing, arrival and
departure, and materials to bring.
ƒ 2) One-hour presentation and cocktail party at National
NAFSA conference.
ƒ 3) In-country orientation on first day of the scheduled
program. Arrival, Check in at hotels, Welcome and
brunch
Baden-Württemberg
Seminar
Itinerary
Sunday, October 8
3:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Guided tour of
University, Old Town
and Castle
Dinner
Monday, October 9
9:00 am
Lectures and
discussions: “The
German System of
Education“
12:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Welcoming Reception
Campus Tour
Information Session at
Max-Kade-Haus: „The
Studentenwerk
Heidelberg“
7:00 p.m.
Dinner with German and
American Students
Itinerary
Tuesday, October 10
ƒ
8:30 a.m.
Visit to the University of Karlsruhe
ƒ
2:00 p.m.
Visit to the Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe
ƒ
3:30 p.m.
Guided Tour of Maulbronn Monastery
ƒ
6:00 p.m.
Dinner in Maulbronn
Wednesday, October 11
ƒ
9:00 a.m.
Visit to the Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA)
ƒ 11:00 a.m.
Visit to the German-American Institute (DAI)
ƒ
2:00 p.m.
Information Session with Baden-Württemberg Universities
ƒ
4:00 p.m.
Round table: “Present and Future German-American Cooperation in
Higher Education”
ƒ
7:00 p.m.
Dinner at Haus Buhl
Thursday, October 12
ƒ
8:30 a.m.
Visit to Helmholtz Gymnasium
ƒ
1:00 p.m.
Visit to the Berufsakademie Mosbach
ƒ
5:30 p.m.
Tour of Guttenberg Castle
Friday, October 13
ƒ
8:30 a.m.
Visit to Hochschule Mannheim (Fachhochschule)
ƒ
1:30 p.m.
Visit to the Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg
Saturday, October 14
ƒ 1:00 p.m.
Visit to Burg Trifels
ƒ Evening
Wine tasting and dinner
Sunday, October 15 Departure
Education in Germany
ƒ
Gymnasium – shortened from 13 to 12 years.
ƒ
38% go to Gymnasium; 10% Hauptschule.
ƒ
9 years of full-time schooling + 3 years can be done part-time (apprenticeships)
ƒ
German system is well-recognized and efficient.
ƒ
Two criticisms: 1. Apprenticeship contracts are not guaranteed nor sufficient in number.
ƒ
Between 29 and 52% of Germans obtain the entrance qualification for acceptance to a
school of higher education (2004).
ƒ
36% of Germans enter school of higher education; whereas, 63% U.S., 83% Iceland;
Turkey 23% (2003, % of age cohort).
ƒ
20-35% of students in degrees of higher education are international students (includes
exchange students, 2005)
ƒ
Average age for entering higher ed = 21 years.
2. More schooling = more flexibility => Drawback of on-the-job training.
Higher Ed: Access and funding
ƒ Funding responsibility (including exchange programs) resides with
states. States resist expansion of federal government’s impact on
structure of education system.
ƒ Normally, you pay no tuition fees when you study for a first
degree or intend to gain a further degree (e.g. a Master's). The
Federal Constitutional Court in Germany waived the ban on
tuition fees in January 2005 some in Germany announced
the introduction of tuition fees. 500E/semester (same for
international and German students)
ƒ Eight states have introduced tuition system; 8 have not.
ƒ Parents are required by law to support their children’s living
expenses at least during their first degree program.
The Excellence Awards
Germany Awards 'Elite' Status and Extra
Funds to 3 Universities
“Three universities were the big winners on
Friday as the German government announced
the results of the first round of its excellence
initiative, designed to strengthen the country's
universities and make them more competitive
internationally. The University of Karlsruhe,
the Technical University of Munich, and the
Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
were awarded what has become known
informally as elite designation.
The initiative will award $2.4 billion in total. The
program will award money to universities based
on their performance in three categories -- as
graduate schools, clusters of excellence, and
elite institutions….”
Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/16/2006
Types of institutions in
higher education
Mostly public.
Universities (117) – research focus.
Fachhochschulen (159) – vocational studies and the
practical requirements of working life.
“The usual political definition for differentiating between
the Fachochschule and the university states that they
should be “of equal standing” but not of equal type”.
Kunst-und Musikhochschulen (56) – provide training
in the fine arts and performing arts and also in music
subjects
Where do Germany’s International
students come from?
ƒ 1.9 million students were registered, of
whom 227,000 came from abroad and
359,000 were in their first-year (2003/04).
ƒ Mostly Europe via exchange
agreements. (Erasmus)
The Bologna Process
1999, Bologna, Italy: the signatory countries of Europe agreed to four
basic items designed to enhance student mobility across the
European educational system
1. 3 cycle degree structure
1st degree – 3 year (at least) - Bachelors
2nd degree – 2 year – Masters
3rd degree – Doctorate
2. A system of credits (ECTS) would be adopted to demonstrate
progress toward the new degrees
3. Accreditation introduced at the institutional, national, and European
level = quality assurance?
4. A method of rendering degrees and credit (Diploma
Supplement)
The effects of the Bologna Process on the
German Education system
Conventional Degree Program
__________________________
10 semesters/5 years
Scientific or technical degree
or Master’s degree (careerqualifying degree)
____________________________
No time limit
Doctoral degree
Within an academic department or
a research group
Bologna Model
BA + MA = 5 years max.
__________________________
3 years/4 years max.
Bachelor’s program (first careerqualifying degree)
_____________________________
2 years max.
Master’s program (second degree)
_____________________________
3 years
Doctoral program
Structured program + dissertation
The effects of the Bologna Process on
the German Education system
ƒ To be resolved:
ƒ How to integrate study abroad into academic career.
ƒ How to handle language training of international students with time limits
ƒ No new funding for implementation of new more expensive system and
increase of student population.
ƒ How employers will recognize the new diplomas
ƒ Mobility of students, transfer of credits
ƒ Master’s may become qualifying certification for employment.
ƒ Less students for life…with student benefits.
ƒ Criticism: possibly stifling the learning process.
ƒ For the next 5-10 years, both systems will be functioning
simultaneously.
Benefits of the Bologna Process
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Shorter programs
Greater transparency and diversity
More intensive programs
Sustainable advancement
Overall greater flexibility in time
Student Housing Services
ƒ
Students are not assured of accommodation when they register with a
German university or Fachhochschule. There are halls of residence but
most German and foreign students have to find their own
accommodation.
ƒ
They should go to Germany well in advance of the beginning of
the semester to arrange a place to live. Initially they may have
to stay in a youth hostel, boarding house or other cheap
accommodation until better housing is found.
ƒ
Selection of students for the relatively few halls of residence takes place
six months in advance of the semester so they should apply well in
advance. The Akademische AuslandsŠmter (AAA), Studentenwerke and
other university services will give you assistance.
ƒ
The International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt)
Studentenwerke
The 61 Studentenwerke are partner organizations of
the universities and support the two million students
with help and services around their studies
ƒ Housing
ƒ Food
ƒ Financial Support
ƒ Social Advice
ƒ Psychological help
ƒ Child Care Facilities
ƒ Tutors
ƒ Legal
Max-Kade-Haus
Colleges & Universities
Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe
Visited
University of Karlsruhe
Univ. of Heidelberg
Hochschule Mannheim
Colleges & Universities
Visited
Pädagogische Hochschule
Heidelberg
Univ. of Heidelberg
Berufsakademie Mosbach
Hochschule Mannheim
Other Institutions visited
Helmholtz Gymnasium
Univ. of Heidelberg
Univ. of Heidelberg
Other Institutions Visited
German-American Institute
Maulbronn Monastery
Heidelberg Center for American Studies
Maulbronn Monastery
A few highlights and
observations
ƒ Master’s Degree Program for Educators of
street children offered by the Pädagogischen
Hochschule Heidelberg and a few universities
in Brazil.
ƒ Master’s Degree programs in American
Studies.
ƒ University International Student Service offices:
less focus on immigration issues.
Meeting foreign & German
students
Helmholtz Gymnasium
Dinner with German & American Students
Guttenberg Castle
The solution to student
conduct issues:
Univ. of Heidelberg
Good Times, Tours, & More
Guttenberg Castle
Heidelberg
Burg Trifels
Free time in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
“I lost my heart
in Heidelberg…”
Yet another castle
Transportation
Which image does not belong here?
Guttenberg Castle
Maulbronn Monastery
Discussing the day’s events
with my fellow B-W
participants
The last supper
Wine tasting and dinner