by Daniel Kanzleiter, Associate Director of the International Office at Universität Ulm*
Baden-Württemberg -- or as we simply call it: the “Ländle.“ You might not be able to spell it, but you’ll definitely love it! Join other higher education international professionals from all over the US in the historic city
of Ulm, Germany for this year’s Baden-Württemberg Seminar.
Every autumn, the Baden-Württemberg Seminar, or “BW Seminar“ for short, brings together a select group of AACRAO and NAFSA members for a week-long immersion in Germany’s education system, society and culture.
Gathering in the Southwest of Germany, participants will explore different secondary and tertiary educational institutions across the state of Baden-Württemberg and have the chance to engage in discussions on all things international with colleagues
from both the US and Germany: from US-German student exchange opportunities and educational partnerships to German-American equivalencies and recent challenges facing both German and US tertiary education.
Ulm University: Small but ambitious
This year’s BW Seminar will be hosted by Ulm University, Baden-Württemberg’s youngest public research university. With just over 10,000 students, Ulm University is a rather small university dedicated to world-class teaching and research
in Medicine and STEM. It is a founding member of YERUN, a network of highly ranked young European research universities, and hosts the German headquarters of Germany’s largest transnational education project, the German University in Cairo.
Ulm: A long history of overachievers
The city of Ulm is not only the birthplace of Albert Einstein, the world’s most famous scientist, it is also home to the gothic minster with the tallest steeple in the world (approx. 530 ft.). The building of Ulm’s spectacular landmark started
as early as 1377, but was not completed until 1890. Ulm is located right on the border to Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg’s notorious neighbor and possibly the only place in Germany where all German clichés are somehow true. Timber-framed
houses, beer gardens, spätzle noodles, Lederhosen, pretzels – you name it, we’ve got it!
So, what can 2020 BW Seminar participants expect?
a top-notch week-long versatile professional development program about the German education system with on-site visits to a variety of educational institutions throughout Southwestern Germany
a fantastic networking opportunity with colleagues from the US and Germany
the chance to experience German hospitality, culture and society in the beautiful city of Ulm and the state of Baden-Württemberg, one of Europe’s leading academic and economic hubs.
There is certainly a lot to learn and see “in Ulm, um Ulm und um Ulm herum“ (Don’t worry, you don’t have to speak German in order to participate in the program).
The BW Seminar will take place from October 18-24, 2020,
and is sponsored by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Arts Baden-Württemberg, Germany. On-site costs for participants (lodging, most meals and transportation for excursions) will be covered by the Ministry. Participants or their institutions
are responsible for the cost of transportation to and from Ulm, Germany.
Join the mailing list for updates.
If you have questions about the program, please contact LesLee Clauson Eicher.
___________________________________________________________________________________
* As Associate Director of the International Office at Universität Ulm since 2015, Daniel will have the honor of hosting the participants in the BW Seminar this fall.
This task doesn’t fall to just anyone. Daniel will have to be nimble, acting at times as tour guide, den mother, subject-matter expert, emergency medical technician, advice-giver, and perhaps most importantly, a friendly face. Daniel has
a varied background: in addition to working in international education, he has worked as an assistant to a member of the European Parliament, and holds a BA and MA in Classics. In his free time, he loves to spend as much time as possible with his two children (4 and 7 years old), which is a passion
seemingly at odds with his intent to finish his PhD on late antique pillar saints in the north of Syria in 2020.