Katho offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in the fields of social sciences, health sciences, and applied theology in various cities of North Rhine Westphalia. Our international studio program Social Work and Exclusion takes place every year from March to July. The seminars are held in English and take place in the locations Cologne and Münster. This way, students from all over the world can experience two very interesting cities in Germany.
Our program looks into the fact why different groups are integrated, or not well integrated, into the society. And it investigates how we can help them by social work. During the program, we apply various methods to analyse social problems and to find solutions from different views.
I am a public health student in Ghana, so I wanted to know how social work and public health fit together, and so I was really eager to join this program, and that's why I came.
In our seminars, incoming students and local students come together to reflect on different issues, like social problems in different parts of the world. My special subject is human rights as a core principle of social work and inclusive education, and I think a very important point is that students work together, so they are not only guests, but they become colleagues.
So, actually, my motivation to participate in this program is because, as a social worker, I think if I go out into a new place, there would be some kind of development in me, being more sensitive towards a culture. There would be intercultural competence. That's actually something which drove me towards this program.
Okay, so thinking about this whole program, I think the best aspect Is that I have learnt a new language and now I can introduce myself in Germany and then I could also get the chance to participate in presentations in the classroom, and that was the best part of the whole thing, that I could talk and share my ideas on everything that I had learnt in the classroom, so that was a great experience for me.
I always wanted to study abroad but never really had the means to, but this was a really came out as a golden opportunity, and to be honest, this is the first time I met so many foreigners, I'm in a foreign land, this is my first time coming out of my country, so everything feels so new, so different, but you go through with this with people who are going through the same things.
The international office supports students from all over the world in all matters concerning their study stay at katho, like finding accommodation or applying for a visa.,Ppersonal contact is very important for us. That is why we started a buddy program, in which we connect incomings with local students.
As a buddy, I'm a contact person who answers the questions about studying, culture differences, and helps them settle in. I volunteer for the buddy program because I'm very interested in other cultures, and I love having friendships all over the world.
Oh, I would say this will be a life-changing opportunity. If it wasn't this program, I wouldn't have met a lot of people from other countries, and we have people from India, from Czech Republic, from Spain. Oh, they are so amazing, and it has been really wonderful.
I think, as a person, I have developed a lot too. I know that I can really feel how I've become more independent now, and I would always recommend to someone to, like, come here for sure.