MINT - Trail with Bolivian pupils in Görlitz

On December 3, a STEM mobility trail took place at the university location in Görlitz with 30 guest students from the German school Santa Cruz/Bolivia and 16 German students (host siblings). At the beginning, Dr.-Ing. Stefan Kühne introduced the students to the Studienkolleg and the degree courses at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The Bolivian students were very interested to find out what admission requirements they have to meet to study in Germany.

The STEM Mobility Trail was enriched by six different stations from the Faculties of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Natural and Environmental Sciences and Social Sciences. The stations were supervised by university staff and students, who gave the ninth and tenth grade pupils a practical insight into the course content. The pupils were divided into six groups and moved from station to station. In twenty-minute workshops, the pupils microscoped water samples and microorganisms, tested a 3D printer, took temperature measurements on Christmas candles and experienced the Gordian knot and communication psychology in a playful way. The young people were also able to test how easy or difficult it is to crack their passwords on the Internet.

The pupils from Bolivia and their German host siblings enthusiastically took part in the STEM Mobility Trail workshops. And who knows, perhaps we will soon be welcoming one or two new students from Bolivia. Many thanks to all the staff and students at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences who contributed to the success of the event. 

The guest students from the German school in Santa Cruz/Bolivia are in Germany from September 15, 2016 to January 2, 2017 to improve their German language skills and experience life in a host family. During this time, they will attend a school at the host family's place of residence. The students and host families are supported by the non-profit association Amigos de la Cultura e.V., based in Görlitz. The next student exchange with Bolivian young people will take place from September 16, 2017 to January 2, 2018.

If you are interested in hosting a "temporary child", please contact the chairman of the association, Franz-Josef Michel (see contact below). Further information about the student exchange can be found on facebook and on the website.