Europa macht Schule: Fostering Cultural Connections in Giessen
Arpit Goel
Building AI, Tech, Climate, HigherEd Communities I Founder, AI Capitol I Voiz Academy India WhatsApp Community I Member: HBSO, Wharton Online, WEF Digital I COP28 Ambassador I Learning German, AI and Tech Investor
Since its foundation , Europe Makes School (EmS) has pursued the goal of strengthening European and international cohesion among young people. Through the lively exchange of all volunteer participants, EmS can make an active contribution to international understanding in and beyond Europe.
Are you curious to find out what Back to School (BtS) is? Are you interested in implementing your own BtS project? Do you want to take part in Europe Goes to School and carry out a project? Or are you interested in volunteering? Would you like to take part in the program with your school class?
Click here for the relevant information and registration or join us for next meeting at 2024, Friday, 1st November, 17:00 - 18:00 uhrs at Room 308, Rathenaustra?e 8, Giessen near Philosofikum 1 bus stop (Bus 801) ( Click for Map Link)
Check out the initiative in Giessen: https://www.europamachtschule.de/das-programm/standorte/giessen/
Above: BtS explanatory video
The Europa macht Schule (EmS) program is a vibrant initiative that connects international students with German schoolchildren for global awareness.
Founded with the goal of strengthening European and international cohesion, EmS enables international students to create and lead interactive projects in classrooms across Germany. These projects introduce students to new cultures, languages, and ways of life, providing them with a first-hand experience of global diversity.
For international participants like myself, EmS offers an opportunity to engage deeply with German society outside of their university life.
They develop language skills and intercultural competencies while gaining valuable experience in educational settings. Through the program, students act as ambassadors of their culture, showcasing the richness of their heritage and promoting mutual respect and understanding.
For German schoolchildren, EmS serves as a window into the world. Without leaving their classrooms, they gain insights into different cultural perspectives and start considering the possibilities of European and global mobility.
This program sparks curiosity about other nations and fosters a sense of unity, reinforcing the values of tolerance and respect.
Supported by DAAD, EmS stands as a model for intercultural education, building bridges between communities and nurturing a more connected and understanding Europe.
The Europa macht Schule program invites international students studying in Germany to introduce their home cultures to local schoolchildren. Participants design personal, interactive projects that highlight aspects of their heritage, from language to traditions.
This experience allows international students to connect meaningfully with German communities while helping young students gain cultural insights directly from someone abroad. Since its inception, over 2,500 students have participated, sharing diverse stories and perspectives in classrooms. Interested students can apply to become part of this impactful cultural exchange.
Click here for the website: https://www.europamachtschule.de/mitmachen/internationale-studierende/
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Understanding the Structure and Role of Europa macht Schule
The Europa macht Schule (EmS) initiative brings together various entities and teams to foster intercultural exchange and education across Germany. This diagram illustrates the framework of EmS, highlighting the responsibilities of three key players: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) , the Europa macht Schule e.V. association, and local volunteer teams. Each entity plays a crucial role in ensuring the program’s smooth functioning and success across multiple locations.
1. DAAD: Overarching Program Coordination
The DAAD, responsible for managing EmS at a national level, oversees program coordination, quality assurance, and conceptual development. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), DAAD’s tasks involve ensuring that EmS maintains high standards and aligns with its goals. DAAD also manages communication and collaboration with other partners, ensuring the program remains well-supported and financially sustainable.
2. Europa macht Schule e.V.: Volunteer Support and Guidance
The Europa macht Schule e.V. association, an idealistic sponsor, supports the program’s execution through various working groups. These include Didactics, Social outreach, Alumni engagement, and International collaboration. This association provides continuous guidance, assisting in program development and supporting DAAD’s overarching strategies. The association also maintains close coordination with DAAD to ensure cohesive and effective management across all activities.
3. Local Volunteer Teams: On-the-Ground Implementation
At the heart of EmS’s success are the local volunteer teams, composed of students and community members across Germany. These teams are essential for the program's localized implementation, working directly with schools and communities to conduct cultural exchange sessions. They handle the logistics of setting up school visits, facilitating workshops, and ensuring smooth communication between international students and host schools.
Collaboration and Communication
Continuous communication and cooperation are critical to EmS’s structure. DAAD and Europa macht Schule e.V. collaborate closely to refine program strategies and maintain transparency across all levels. The local teams, in turn, receive guidance from DAAD and the association, allowing for efficient program execution and a consistent approach to cultural education.
Why This Structure Matters
The EmS framework emphasizes collaboration at multiple levels, creating an interconnected network that effectively supports intercultural learning. Through this structure, EmS can maintain a high level of quality, offer targeted support to international students, and build lasting connections between communities. The diagram showcases how each component, from DAAD’s strategic oversight to local teams’ operational roles, contributes to the shared mission of fostering European unity and understanding through education.
This collaborative model sets a strong example for intercultural programs, highlighting the importance of structured, multi-level partnerships in educational outreach and cultural integration efforts.
Do you want to take part in Europe Goes to School and carry out a project? Or are you interested in volunteering? Would you like to take part in the program with your school class? Click here for the relevant information and registration or join us for next meeting at 2024, Friday, 1st November, 17:00 - 18:00 uhrs at Room 308, Rathenaustra?e 8, Giessen near Philosofikum 1 bus stop (Bus 801) ( Click for Map Link)
The building looks like this:
Till then check out EMS in News in Giessen: https://www.europamachtschule.de/category/giessen/