Fort the study program „Media-Related Computer Science”, the semester abroad is compulsory, for the study program “Media Design” it is merely recommended.

Advantages of the semester abroad:

• Preparation of the students for the international Master Degree program (in Bremen the program language is English, with approximately 75% international students.
• Possibility of supplementing study programs in Bremen by goal-oriented university choice in diverse contexts of study.
• Strengthening of intercultural competence, practical language skills, promoting a concept of thinking outside the box

Advantages of making the semester abroad mandatory:

• Participation in voluntary semester abroad is rather low because of perceived difficulties (such as costs, extension of the study time, fear of change) However, feedback after the semester abroad is consistently positive.
• The embedding of the plan as part of the examination regulations ensures a high compatibility with the course of studies. (The semester abroad does not have the expected effect of prolonging the student’s study plans)
• The department has to provide appropriate plans for the semester abroad –> high motivation to organize and maintain partnerships is required

Obligatory semester abroad as part of the study program Digital Media

The semester abroad is supposed to last for up to two semesters. However, it is not supposed to take place before the third semester. The credit points earned are recorded as part of a “learning agreement” and later fully credited to the student’s achievements. Financial support is possible as well. The department supports the student with the placement and application issues.

digitalmedia-bremen.de/de/profil/bachelor/auslandssemester

• Depends on the relationship with the cooperating colleges and their offers in terms of subjects
• The semester abroad for the program Media Design depends is highly dependent on the interest of the students
• Depends on the coordination by the department
• Students have to have sufficient language skills (C1 English or equivalent)
• The examination regulations must be sufficiently flexible in regard to the recognition of achievements made abroad

Promotion: Duration of the project is ongoing.

Human resources: There is a part time spot for coordination which is partially responsible for program coordination as well as for questions regarding the topic of studying abroad.

The mandatory semester abroad is successfully consolidated in the study program Digital Media. Most partnership contracts can be easily extended, once closed. The constant use of partnership contracts allows a constant exchange between students.