Cultural Sensitivity for Universities

The Intercultural Competence workshops provide students with a solid introduction to the fundamentals of intercultural collaboration. They encourage reflection on one's own cultural background and foster an awareness of how cultural differences can influence perception, behavior, and communication. The training sessions can be offered as a general format for students of all disciplines or tailored to specific degree programs. A key component is the acquisition of culturally sensitive communication techniques, which students can confidently apply in international study and work contexts. In addition, the workshops cover the basics of emotion management, enabling students to navigate challenges in intercultural situations constructively and professionally. In this way, the workshops empower students to engage in international encounters in a reflective, confident, and responsible manner.

Workshops to prepare for a semester abroad (outgoing students) or to support students during their semester abroad (incoming students) help them to navigate international study stays safely, thoughtfully, and with thorough preparation. The focus is on the core elements of intercultural and transcultural competence (cultural self-awareness, knowledge of cultural differences and their influence on behavior, communication, and expectations, culturally sensitive communication techniques, and strategies for emotional self-management). Another key focus is understanding culture shock and the associated psychological and social challenges. This includes psychosocial aspects such as building new social networks, coping with loneliness, building resilience, and basic crisis management. The workshops can be tailored to life in Germany or to specific countries or regions and can be flexibly integrated into existing programs offered by the International Office.

I develop tailored learning materials that can be seamlessly integrated into existing international programs or used as standalone modules. These include materials for synchronous formats, such as structured protocols for online or in-person sessions, providing clear guidance for instructors and participants. In addition, I create asynchronous learning resources like readers, worksheets, self-reflection exercises, and short learning videos that can be used flexibly and independently of the classroom. The materials are suitable both for introducing intercultural topics and for exploring specific issues in greater depth. All content is scientifically sound, pedagogically well-structured, and tailored to the target groups at your university. This provides your programs with high-quality building blocks that support sustainable and self-directed learning.