International Exchange in Higher Engineering Education – A Representative Survey on International Mobility of Engineering Students

Ute Heinze (), Ursula Bach, René Vossen and Sabina Jeschke
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Ute Heinze: RWTH Aachen University, IMA/ZLW & IfU
Ursula Bach: RWTH Aachen University, IMA/ZLW & IfU
René Vossen: RWTH Aachen University, IMA/ZLW & IfU
Sabina Jeschke: RWTH Aachen University, IMA/ZLW & IfU

A chapter in Automation, Communication and Cybernetics in Science and Engineering 2013/2014, 2014, pp 321-343 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The attitude of German engineering students towards spending a certain period of time abroad is highly ambivalent. Although German engineering students assume that international experience is a key competence and a career-enhancing qualification, outbound mobility (referring to the number of students who leave Germany to another country for the purpose of study or a traineeship) in higher engineering education lies below average compared to other disciplines. One reason frequently listed by students is the intensive workload in engineering sciences hampering their opportunities to go abroad as well as difficult recognition procedures of study credits accomplished abroad. Statistics show that the changes brought about by the Bologna Reform (initiated in 1999 to align European higher education and to establish a common credit transfer system) did not result in increased student mobility throughout Europe. It rather resulted in less flexible curricula leaving students not enough time for spending a certain part of their studies abroad. This paper analyzes the current situation of international student mobility in German higher engineering education especially focusing on outbound mobility. It is based on the results of a survey carried out among approx. 35,000 students at one of Germany’s most renowned technical universities. The study deals with the motivation and the obstacles faced by engineering students aiming at integrating international exchange periods into their curricula. Therefore, an anonymous wide ranging survey was distributed among all students at the above mentioned university. Topics such as financial issues, the recognition of credit points, and career advice services influencing their decision in or not in favor of an international exchange are investigated among other aspects. The results of the survey are finally summarized together with derived measures to increase the participation of engineering students in international exchange programs.

Keywords: International Student Mobility; Inbound; Outbound; Engineering; Education; Curricula Development; Intercultural Competences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-08816-7_25

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-08816-7_25

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