Students for Exchange

In the Special Needs Education/Inclusion Studies degree programme, three female students developed the “Students-for-Exchange” exchange project during the summer semester of 2016 as part of their project study, which aims to establish a deliberate collaboration with the Ukrainian University of Hlukhiv. The goal: to establish a sustainable student exchange program and thereby strengthen future cooperation between the two institutions. Key aspects include gaining insight into academic content, student life, mentalities, and the structures of Social Work and Special Needs Education in both countries. The project is funded by the “Eastern Partnerships” program of the “German Academic Exchange Service” (DAAD), which aims to strengthen university ties between so-called Eastern Bloc countries and German academic institutions.

As early as May 2016, the first visit by two Ukrainian students and a faculty member took place at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, providing the visitors with both theoretical and practical insights into the coursework and professional fields of the social work degree programmes.

This September, the planned return visit to Hlukhiv took place. The students Donata Junghardt, Andrei Meyer, Mandy Schlage (Special Needs Education), Sarah Weißflog (Social Work), and Mariya Hakh (Economics and Tourism), accompanied by Associate Professor Dr. Susanne Römer (Special Needs Education/Inclusion Studies), set off on their Ukrainian adventure on September 18.

The group had a structured and varied program ahead of them for the week. It included subject-specific conferences and discussions with the Rector and faculty members of Hlukhiv University, as well as a video conference with other Ukrainian universities. The focus was on the topic of inclusion (e.g., in schools) as well as on existing policy frameworks in Ukraine and Germany. As part of a presentation, the German visitors had the opportunity to introduce aspects of their degree programme and their project to students. The students also learned more about how course content in the Social Work/Social Pedagogy degree programme is taught in Ukraine. For example, methods of art therapy were presented both theoretically and practically. The program also included field visits to practical settings, such as a day center for seniors and a rehabilitation center for children and adolescents. These two field visits provided a comprehensive insight into the respective fields of work and facilitated an intensive exchange with clients and staff. Excursions to castles and fortresses significant to Ukrainian history, city tours, a cultural program, and a visit to a nightclub were all received with great interest.

Over the course of the week, the students were able to strengthen their bonds. Their hesitation about speaking English gradually faded. With the help of Ms. Hakh, who handled most of the Russian/Ukrainian translation, effective discussions about the continuation of the project were also held with faculty members from the Department of Social Work/Social Pedagogy.

For everyone involved, it was an enriching journey filled with many impressions and a few surprising moments. Particularly noteworthy is the diversity of mentalities, which, however, should not be viewed as a barrier, but rather as a process of getting to know one another, understanding, and mutual appreciation.

Over the course of a week, the students and faculty members grew closer and are eager to further develop the project. Several organizational structures have already been established, such as online platforms, to stay in touch and facilitate future coordination. The next return visit by Ukrainian students is already planned for May 2017. Anyone interested from all degree programmes at the HSZG should contact Prof. Dr. Ingolf Prosetzky.