The Department of Chemistry & Biology of the University of Applied Sciences Fresenius in Idstein broadens its offer regarding the internationalization of the study programs in the field of Life Sciences. The project “BioMINTernational speaks to both outgoings and incomings and supports each group in reaching one main goal.

1) All students of the study program Biosciences (B.Sc.) should be enabled to have study-integrated practical experience at a company in the Life Sciences sector abroad (“Outgoing”)

2) The transfer to the study program as well as the integration into the German job market should be made easier for foreign students of the Master of Bio- and Pharmaceutical Analysis (M.Sc.) (“Incoming”)

© Hochschule Fresenius

In order to achieve the stated goals, different topics and formats were developed and implemented within the scope of the project.
A. Active coaching of students (“Student Coach”)
– Development of a block training/internship “practical lab knowledge” to harmonize the knowledge -and skill level of foreign first-year students at the beginning of their studies. (target group: “Incoming”)
– Additional offer of a “virtual internship” for the preparation and follow-up of the material taught in the block training. (target group: “Incoming”)
– Organization of excursions to companies (target group: “Incoming” and “Outgoing”)
– Coordination of a “buddy” program to support foreign students (“Incoming”) via German students with international experience (“Outgoing”)
– Assistance upon arrival (finding accommodation, administrative offices, adjustment) and coordination of integration courses for foreign students regarding their vocational orientation (German courses, Integration course working life, excursions) in cooperation with the department “International Services” of the HSF, including using German students as accompanying “buddies” (target group: “incoming”)
– Establishment and maintenance of an online information platform promoting the exchange of personal experiences regarding international internships (target group “Incoming” and “Outgoing”)
B. Development of accompanying measures
– Establishment and expansion of business contacts with established and new partners in the Life Sciences area in the European and non-European countries in the form of a network (UNIB – University Network with Industry in Biosciences)
– Establishment and maintenance of a contact database for the placement of students and graduates to companies in Germany and abroad

50.000 €

Promotion: 36.000 € human resources
10.000 € material resources
4.000 € other

Material resources: University competition STEMinternational (Donors’ association for the promotion of sciences in Germany)

The department would like to continue the block training/internship for international students in the beginning phase for of their studies and provides its own funds outside of the project.
The UNIB network will also be further developed in the department. For this purpose, the professors of the department have decided to expand the network as part of their own initiative, after the successful kick-off meeting in the fall of 2016. Similarly, the database of the cooperation partners will be further extended upon as well and as part of their own initiative.

„All the material provided in the online course were exceptional! You should provide more!“

„The practical course is definitely required! For me it was the first time I worked with micropipettes and learned how to calibrate. Maybe this is normal for German students, but for international students it is very important to learn all of this!“

„I would also like to mention that those first three days were very hectic and quite strenuous on me. Practical pre course started at 9 am, lasted whole day and then we were taken sightseeing, which lasted till 9 or 10 at the evening. I was so tired at the end of the day that I did not have time to revise what I have learned during the day. Having said that, I would not have given those field trips for anything in the world! This was the first time were I started to notice what type of student-professor relationship is most valued here. Professors here actually want to teach! They are interested in what you have to say! They encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and grow, not only as a scientist but as a person as well!“