International Office

In an increasingly interconnected world, young professionals must develop intercultural skills. The 6 ECTS "Cross-Cultural Experience" module addresses this through three components: a seminar on intercultural competence, a social science course, and participation in one of the following programs: Tandem and School Program, or Service-Learning Program. The intercultural competence seminar covers cultural concepts, conflict, and communication, applying these to students' experiences and examining the influence of national and corporate cultures on international business. The Social Sciences course, taught in intercultural groups, introduces key topics, methods, and theories, including social inequality, modern family development, social change, and more, featuring texts by Giddens, Weber, and Marx. Students will present on their intercultural experiences and submit a paper. More information: andrea.heissler@hfwu.de

Each semester, NGU welcomes international students from partner universities. The Buddy Program pairs local and international students to ease their transition and enrich their stay in Nürtingen and Geislingen. Buddies help new students with tasks like registering their residence, opening a bank account, and buying a SIM card, ensuring a smooth integration into student life. To join the Buddy Program, email andrea.heissler@no spamhfwu.de with your degree program, semester, and preferred country. We look forward to enhancing your study experience.

The tandem program offers a great opportunity to practice German. During a Tandem Partner Meet-Up event each semester you'll be paired with a German student interested in learning your language. Together, you can choose how to structure your sessions—whether studying with books, chatting in a café, or engaging in leisure activities like watching movies or exploring each other's countries. If you're unable to find a partner for language exchange, or if you're solely interested in teaching without learning German, the international office will assist in finding a suitable match. The program welcomes participants of all ages and backgrounds, providing a chance to connect with diverse individuals and learn about local culture. To join, complete the registration form and send it to andrea.heissler@no spamhfwu.de. Remember to indicate your language skills and any specific requests you may have.

Visiting a school is a good chance to learn more about the German education system and to interact with teachers, school children and teenagers. In subjects such as foreign languages, social studies, ethics, religion, geography or history it can be very enriching for a class to have a foreigner give some insider information about your particular culture, language or country. For the pupils, it will be exciting to meet somebody from abroad and practise their foreign language skills with you. You can also set up a project together. Your own ideas are very welcome! Come to the international office or send an e-mail to andrea.heissler@no spamhfwu.de if you want to know more.

The Cultural Night program offers you a chance to showcase your country. Once every semester, the International Office and the Ecumenical Student Community host a Cultural Night. Here, international students share insights about their home countries, prepare local cuisine, and engage in Q&A. While mainly attended by NGU students, locals interested in your country are also welcome to join. It's a lively event, and we welcome international students keen on sharing their culture! Presentations can be conducted in either English or German, depending on your language proficiency. Want to present? Contact andrea.heissler@no spamhfwu.de!

The "International Student Club" emerged from the local Erasmus+ Initiative (LEI). Under the premise of promoting networking between international students and NGU students, it provides a platform for international exchange. The aim is to emphasize the added value of intercultural experiences and to expand the range of integration projects on offer. As a member, you can already make international contacts in Germany and better prepare yourself for a study or internship abroad. For more information & how to become a member, please visit the website of the

International Student Club

Do you want to gain international experience but don't want to spend an entire semester abroad? Then a study abroad program is perfect for you. Through a combination of lectures, company visits and working in international teams, you'll gain important hard and soft skills in a short period of time. And you'll earn credits at the same time.

NGU Study Tours