Aleksandra Rupietta and Tina Gersdorf support students during their stay abroad

It is compulsory on the International Cruise Management degree programme, but only an option on others: the semester abroad. Students who have not yet ventured out of their immediate environment can take a big step towards independence here. Accordingly, many students would like someone to take them by the hand a little. This is where Aleksandra Rupietta and Tina Gersdorf, who are in charge of the ERASMUS+ and PROMOS funding programme at the university, come in. They work in the International Office at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and know what students need to consider when going abroad. From funding and contacting the partner university to determining which courses need to be attended, they are on hand with help and advice.

Counselling sessions are designed to inform and encourage

Every counselling interview is individual. There are students who already know exactly what they want before their appointment with the International Office. And there are those who are undecided and still need a lot of support and information when making their decision. "At the beginning, we have to find out how much the students already know. This is the only way we can meet them where they are and advise them in a way that really helps them," says Aleksandra Rupietta. A consultation can therefore last an hour or longer if there are a lot of questions and uncertainties. In addition, the staff regularly organise information events to answer general questions in advance. This also includes financing the stay abroad, for example through funding programmes such as Erasmus+, PROMOS or individual scholarships from the DAAD.

The need for support is always different

There is a limited number of places for students at the partner universities. However, there is usually a little room for manoeuvre. Rarely have applications been rejected by partner universities, but it is still important to submit a high-quality application to the International Office.  It can be more difficult if you go to a non-partner university as a "free mover". In this case, students are not always lucky and may have to switch to another university in the end. The International Office handles enquiries to partner universities abroad, selects students and awards scholarships. Students are then responsible for submitting their application documents to the host universities themselves. The courses they can take depend on the degree programmes and the students' respective situations. "It is important that the content matches the university's curriculum so that they can have it recognised at the end. If the students want to take courses from other subjects, we ask the partner universities whether this is possible," says Aleksandra Rupietta. Students then have to take care of things like accommodation, flights and visas themselves. "However, if we realise that they have forgotten something, we contact them and remind them," adds Tina Gersdorf.

Support during the stay also differs from person to person. "We don't hear from some students because they take care of everything themselves. Others want us to check in with them regularly and ask whether they have arrived safely, for example," says Tina Gersdorf. "Anyone who needs support can always get in touch with us. Unfortunately, we can't always help because we are not on site with the students abroad. So if there are problems with accommodation, for example, there is little we can do," says Aleksandra Rupietta.

Studying abroad is not a holiday

Anyone who thinks that students use their stay abroad to go on holiday is mistaken. The so-called "Learning Agreement" specifies exactly which courses must be attended. "Students have to take exams at the foreign universities and pass them. Otherwise, in the worst case scenario, they may have to pay back the funding," says Aleksandra Rupietta. However, there is also a certain amount of leeway here. It also depends on why an exam was not passed: Was it due to illness or were the students rather unreliable and didn't attend the course at all?

Support for "incomings" through student involvement

However, it is not only students from the university who go abroad; foreign students also come to Bremerhaven. Buddies are provided to make their arrival easier. Among other things, they support them in dealing with the authorities. "We make sure that the language skills and degree programmes match. However, we make sure there is a good mix of countries of origin so that they can network with each other and not just remain among themselves," says Tina Gersdorf. There is also the Local Erasmus Initiative, or LEI for short. This is where students get involved and organise events and other activities for their fellow students from abroad. The initiative is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

This article first appeared in our newsletter "Karlsburger Horizonte", which you can subscribe to here .

(Translated with the support of deepl)

Aleksandra Rupietta

Head of the International Office

Alexandra Rupietta first studied Business Administration (Diplom FH) at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and then completed a Master's degree in Business Management at Gdynia Maritime University in Poland. 

At Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, she is responsible for coordinating the DAAD funding programmes and is the contact person for students interested in the Erasmus+ programme. She advises on study opportunities and internships abroad and also provides support during the study abroad programme. Aleksandra Rupietta is also responsible for new bilateral university collaborations to ensure that more and more destinations are added for students.

Ms Rupietta is also the right contact for lecturers and staff who would like to go abroad: she coordinates Erasmus+ lecturer and staff mobility. 

Tina Gersdorf

Deputy Head of the International Office

Before Tina Gersdorf came to Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, she studied Integrated European Studies at the University of Bremen and International Relations: Global Governance and Social Theory, a cooperative Master's programme offered by the University of Bremen and Jacobs University.

At the International Office of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, she is responsible for the DAAD funding programmes PROMOS and Eastern Partnerships. She advises on study opportunities and internships abroad as part of the PROMOS programme and also provides support during studies abroad. She is also the contact person for international exchange students in academic matters (incoming student mobility) and Erasmus+ university coordinator

Tina Gersdorf is also responsible for organising the International Summer School and international joint seminars.