Good academic and social support helps ensure that international students studying in Germany achieve academic success and have a personally enriching experience. The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs sponsors the “Prize for excellent international student support services at German universities” to recognize innovative solutions and particularly effective programmes in this field.

This year the prize was awarded to outstanding and exemplary volunteer initiatives dedicated to supporting international students in Germany. “Seeking contact with these guests at our universities and in our country on a volunteer basis and offering them support certainly leads to greater mutual acceptance, fosters mutual understanding and brings people of different cultures closer. I want to inspire and encourage this type of voluntary commitment,” stated Cornelia Pieper, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office.

The 15,000 euro in prize money will be split between the Geo2gether project, a student initiative in the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn, and the Culture Sessions initiative offered at student dormitories in Kiel by the Schleswig-Holstein Student Affairs Association.

The Federal Foreign Office also commended the work of the Springboard to Learning e.V. association in Erfurt which fosters intercultural acceptance and mutual understanding in the city with the support of international students.