With well-documented labour market shortages in Germany, speakers at the inaugural PIE Live Germany agreed that while international student interest is in a healthy place, it is becoming increasingly important to make sure that student wellbeing and outcomes are equally successful.
Speaking at the conference in Berlin, Rebecca Ferreboeuf, head of the welcome centre – international department at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, said international interest at her institution had remained steady rather than spiking.
However, she revealed that the institution is exploring more strategic recruitment, particularly for STEM master’s and PhD programs, instead of relying only on its reputation to attract applicants, thanks to funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Ferreboeuf told delegates that the institution was actively recruiting for masters and PhD students in STEM subjects, “not necessarily because we need more international students for those programs, but because we saw the opportunity to proactively engage” with these sudents against a backdrop of labour market shortages.
The university is “very much aware that universities have a role to play in attracting international talent and retaining international talent”, she said, warning that labour market challenges are only likely to worsen over the next 10-20 years. “So we’re trying to prepare for that,” she said.
Julian Davies, CEO at Gisma University of Applied Sciences, highlighted that German universities were increasingly keen to recruit the right students for their institution rather than putting growth over suitability.
“I think there’s a desire amongst all of us… to have the right students who have actively chosen our institution, who have actively chosen the course, and actively chose chosen Germany,” he said.
There’s there’s a desire amongst all of us… to have the right students who have actively chosen our institution, who have actively chosen the course, and actively chose chosen Germany
Julian Davies, Gisma University of Applied Sciences
The discussion also highlighted how difficult it can be to provide consistent support across Germany’s university system. Responsibility is spread across federal states, universities, faculties and campus services.
Ferreboeuf said students may need different kinds of help depending on their program, language ability and academic background. Coordination among faculties, career services and equity and diversity teams was described as important to helping international students feel a sense of belonging and complete their studies.
Language preparation emerged as another key issue.
Lucia Krizaj, manager of academic programs and summer initiatives at EF (Education First), said intensive study could take around nine to eleven months to move students from beginner level to C1 German.
But she argued that the effort was worth it. While she advocated for students learning basic German in their home country, she argued that it is “really very important that they learn the language in the country”, and that learning German in Germany offers immersion in everyday life and bureaucracy.
Some students, however, pursue English-taught programs, while others may need additional preparation before entering university, she said.
