Intercultural Center

Welcome to the Intercultural Center (IKZ) at the HTWG Konstanz. Are you an international student? Are you a domestic student from Germany who wants to study or work abroad? We have a number of courses, workshops and services specifically for you.

Studium International Certificate

Show future employers or graduate schools that you have intercultural skills – get the IKZ “Studium International” Certificate while doing your studies. The certificate includes three modules with different requirements that you complete over several semesters.

The certificate that prepares you for working internationally in intercultural teams. What are the advantages of the certificate?

You gain invaluable intercultural skills to prepare you for working internationally in intercultural teams.
Makes your CV stand out – shows employers that you actually have the intercultural skills they’re looking for.
Last but not least, international exchange is simply fun: gain new experiences and make new friends.

Module 1: Intercultural Awareness (Encounters and Experience)

Option 1 – Study abroad / internship abroad

The first module for the certificate involves studying or doing an internship abroad. You will need to provide a confirmation of your time abroad (internship agreement, transcript, etc.) and a written description of your intercultural experience (approx. 4 pages). To help you in the writing process, we can provide you with a set of orientation questions and a sample report. Best is if you stop by for a visit. Click here to contact us.

Option 2 – Take a language course

You can also take a language course (1 semester, minimum 2 hours/week). The only requirement: the coursemust be done at the HTWG Konstanz. If you choose this option, you must (of course) pass the final exam for the language course in order to get module credit. Please provide us with a print-out of your transcript as confirmation.

^{Please note:}

^{You need to decide at the beginning of the course if you are taking the course for the certificate module or as an elective course for a grade. Please register for the course as a “Zusatzfach”. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use the course for both the module and the ECTS points. Sorry about that. We didn’t want to make it too easy.}

^{Please note:}

^{You need to decide at the beginning of the course if you are taking the course for the certificate module or as an elective course for a grade in the HTWG Extracurricular Studies Program (Studium generale). Unfortunately, it is not possible to use the course for both the module and the ECTS points. Sorry about that. We didn’t want to make it too easy for you here either.}

Module 2: Intercultural Reflection – Take the IKZ intercultural course

The second module is about gaining knowledge about culture, cultural differences, adjusting to a new culture, and intercultural communication. To get this knowledge, you take our Basics of Intercultural Communication Course (2 SWS) taught by your very-own, friendly bicultural, bilingual IKZ team. This is a block course – two course days plus a half-day for project work.

The next block course will take place in the summer semester, 2022.

More information about the intercultural workshop

^{Information for BAC or BAS Students:}

^{Students in the Asian Studies and Management China (BAC) or Asian Studies and Management South Asia and Southeast Asia (BAS) programs who have already completed their year abroad have the option of leading part of the course themselves. This is interesting for the group and a good experience with you. The planning and carrying out of this unit (please consult with us first!) is counted towards the certificate.}

Module 3: Intercultural Action – Take part in Buddy Program or Helping Hand

The third and final part of the module involves participating in one of the Intercultural Center (IKZ) activities for 1 semester. You can complete this by participating in the:

Buddy Program – Support an international degree-seeking student for one semester
Helping Hand group – Support an exchange student during their time in Konstanz
Tandem Learning Program - Participate in language / cultural exchange with another student
Or come up withyour own intercultural project. We love when students develop their own ideas. Come talk to us about it!

The only condition is that you can confirm that your activity actually took place. This could be a certificate of participation (e.g., from Helping Hand), a meeting with us, or writing a report from an intercultural perspective. If you implement your own ideas together with other students, a protocol form containing a list of the meeting dates and the division of tasks is required. This protocol form must be signed by all members in the group.