Pupils from the German School in Cali have come to HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen and the University of Hildesheim Foundation as part of the Support Initiative for German Schools Abroad and Partner Schools (BIDS Initiative) to take part in a taster study programme. The initiative promotes Germany as a place to study and, naturally, Lower Saxony as well. The group is getting to know Hildesheim and Göttingen, taking part in activities such as a workshop on career prospects in Germany, and exchanging ideas with other students. As part of the BIDS programme, there are also specific scholarship opportunities for pupils from German schools in Colombia to support them as they begin their studies.
The visitors felt almost at home when, in the Colour Design department, they were shown the plans for the redesign of their own school in Cali, on which students are currently working under the supervision of Prof. Markus Schlegel. In addition, Andreas Kreichelt showcased outstanding work, including the blacksmith’s and silversmith’s workshops, the artistic printmaking studios, the model-making workshop and the rapid prototyping laboratory. The students working there explained their projects and answered the schoolgirls’ questions in detail.
The one-week taster course is designed to give the schoolgirls a first impression of what it is like to study at one of the two universities and to offer them the opportunity to find out more about a number of degree programmes. At the same time, they are intended to get a feel for what it is like to live as a student in the region, which is why, on the very first day, they were given the chance to take a look inside a student hall of residence and find out about university sports.
As the week progresses, the schoolgirls will visit the other HAWK campuses in Hildesheim and Göttingen, as well as those of the University of Hildesheim Foundation, take part in various leisure activities and chat with current students.
“We hope to welcome these schoolgirls as students at our universities in the future. To this end, the programme provides them with individualised and comprehensive support, both through advisory services and through motivational scholarships for their first year of study,” explains Annika Tiefel from the HAWK International Office at the Hildesheim campus.
