University of Mannheim Secures DAAD Funding to Aid International Students

The main aim of the project is to further improve the academic success of international students and to prepare them for the German labor market at an early stage. “Our experience shows that three out of four internationals at the University of Mannheim also want to work in Germany after graduating,” says Angela Dörflinger from the “International Full-Time Students” team at the International Office, which acquired the DAAD funding. “I am therefore pleased that we can now give them even more to help them successfully complete their studies and start their careers in Germany.”

Dörflinger and her team look after around 1,000 international students at the University of Mannheim, two thirds of whom are enrolled in English-language master’s programs. As part of the “Made in Mannheim” project, twelve measures are being implemented to promote the academic success of international students and make it easier for them to start their careers. These include German courses with job-related content, advice and workshops on the subject of applications, the opportunity to network with so-called “career peers” – international alumni of the university from whose experiences students can benefit – as well as “Future Skills” courses address the specifics of working in international teams and convey self-marketing strategies on social media platforms.

The project “Made in Mannheim – FIT for Study and Careers” started on April 1st and will run until the end of 2028. A total of over 150 projects were submitted to the DAAD, of which 89 were selected for funding.