Institutional support for student initiatives

This report describes how the voluntary work of students in the context of the internationalization processes in higher education can be supported by institutional structures and activities. Focusing on intercultural training programs initiated by students, this article illustrates the inherent link between the student initiative Go.Intercultural! and the Institute of Intercultural Communication at Hildesheim University. Moreover, it shows the positive effects of institutional support on the quality and continuity of voluntary work. After all, formal acknowledgement of voluntary work and the provision of additional qualifications prove to be important incentives for students to become involved in extracurricular activities despite the new bachelor program’s tight schedule.

10.08.2011 | Elke Bosse, Ioulia Grigorieva, Berenike Kuschel & Marieke Söffker (Hildesheim)