Come to Munich - be at home

From the 2010/11 winter semester to the 2022/23 winter semester, the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern gave students the opportunity to take part in a free-of-charge one-semester programme with international and German students. Students were able to train their intercultural understanding by learning and experiencing things together. The programme has been discontinued and took place for the last time in the winter semester 2022/23.

Intercultural workshops

Intercultural competence – what does that actually mean? Do misunderstandings due to interculturality occur and can I avoid them? How do I interact with people from various cultures without stepping on their toes and at the same time being myself?

Those were the type of questions to which all the participants together sought to provide answers during the intercultural workshops. Topics such as culture, intercultural communication, perception, value orientation, intercultural conflict management, stereotypes and prejudices were addressed. Teamwork, group discussions, examples and simulations lead to unexpected insights and tremendous changes in perspective. All of this was a great basis for personal development regarding ​​soft skills but also for being able to use this knowledge to expand personal networks around the world.

Cultural activities

During the semester, students participated in three cultural activities in addition to the intercultural workshops. These events encouraged exchange and reflection in an informal setting, such as city trips, hikes or scavenger hunts. Some events, such as vegan cookie baking or a post-colonial city tour of Munich, were also designed to raise awareness for a diverse society among international and national students.

Certificates / ECTS credits

All participants received a certificate at the end of the semester for their acquired soft skills. Students from TUM and HM University of Applied Sciences were even able to earn ECTS credits.

The Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern also provided financial support to students in order to attend a German language course at the Universität München.

Please note: The TUM and HM have shown interest in continuing the programme but so far no final decision has been made. If the programme continues, you'll be able to find it in the course catalogues.
However, the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern will continue to offer cultural events. Our Cultural Programme includes sustainable DIY courses, intercultural workshops, walks through yet unknown parts of Munich, day trips into the surrounding area and lots more. It's definitely worth checking out! :)