Professional Development with Erasmus+

The experiences of the University of Hamburg
Reading time: 6 min.

By Nadine Stäcker

The University of Hamburg (UHH) considers internationalisation to be a key strategic priority in its institutional development. To promote an active culture of internationalisation at all levels of the university, it is essential that both academic and administrative staff are involved in this process. Nadine Stäcker, Erasmus Institutional Coordinator at UHH, explains the pivotal role Erasmus+ plays in achieving this goal. 

© Lea Böhland

Nadine Stäcker 
Erasmus Institutional Coordinator at the University of Hamburg

Language courses for staff mobilities

Before applying, interested parties search online for certified language schools in Erasmus+ Programme countries offering courses that are recognised as educational leave in Hamburg. These schools are also listed in a directory published by the City of Hamburg. Additionally, reports from former participants, shared by the Erasmus team, provide valuable insights to help applicants choose a language school in their preferred country. 

Applicants submit a non-binding offer from the language school alongside CV and letter of motivation. After Erasmus funding has been approved, they apply for educational leave, and authorisation of leave is then presented to the Erasmus team. Participants subsequently contact the language school, confirm their booking and independently prepare for their trip. 

International mobilities for higher education staff – this too is Erasmus+

Funding beneficiaries receive country-specific grants for their time abroad, flat-rate travel allowances and, where applicable, additional support (participants with disabilities or chronic illnesses).

Possible activities include work observations, job shadowing, study visits, involvement in curriculum development and participation in workshops, seminars and language courses. Universities determine the specific terms and conditions of these activities, sometimes integrating them into their personnel development strategies.

The Learning Mobility of Individuals and its opportunities

With its attractive «Learning Mobility of Individuals» action, Erasmus+ makes a significant contribution to Hamburg University’s internationalisation efforts. For instance, teaching staff undertake short-term lectureships at partner universities, administrative staff participate in organised staff training weeks and job shadowing schemes and a large number of teachers and administrative staff attend language courses abroad through the programme. 

At UHH, these mobility programmes are promoted through multiple channels. Former participants share their experiences via newsletters or at meetings and special events, such as World Cafés, where interested individuals can interact with enthusiastic former participants. The format achieves significant visibility through peer-to-peer promotion. This consistently highlights the transformative impact of these programmes and their positive effects on the work of the university. 

The example of language courses

One example of Erasmus+ formats are the language trips, which are announced once a year and take place as part of educational leave. With demand significantly exceeding available resources, a selection procedure is now conducted in collaboration with the university’s human resources development department. This approach ensures that individuals from a wide range of departments and units have the opportunity to participate in language training and that professional development at the workplace is also considered. Additionally, the human resources development team specifically informs employees seeking career guidance about the programme. Following the successful launch of language courses for administrative staff, the programme has now been extended to include academic staff, supporting teaching staff who teach or plan to teach courses in English. 

The programme’s success is evident. Participants report feeling much more confident in intercultural interactions or conversations in English at their workplace after completing a mobility programme. Examples include colleagues from the human resources department, who regularly interact with English-speaking researchers, and library staff, who are required to assist an increasing number of students in English. 

Exchanges with partners, especially during Staff Weeks, promote international networking activities at the operational level and, in turn, benefit numerous processes within the university. Staff mobilities thus play a crucial role in making Hamburg a more attractive destination for international visitors, since employees’ first-hand international experiences cultivate a culture of hospitality at the university.

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«Enhancing the international experiences of university staff – particularly by improving English proficiency and multilingualism at all levels – is a cornerstone of the University of Hamburg’s internationalisation strategy. The Erasmus programme is instrumental in this effort, enabling staff to gain international experience in different countries. The University’s international guests, researchers and students benefit greatly from interactions with staff who are internationally experienced and interculturally competent. They perceive the University of Hamburg as a truly international and cosmopolitan institution.»

Professor Dr Hauke Heekeren, President of the University of Hamburg

«Colleagues who participate in Erasmus language trips improve their language proficiency and intercultural skills, directly enriching our dynamic and inclusive university environment. The experience promotes both personal and professional growth and improves communication and collaboration within our organisation and across international networks. The university benefits from having open-minded, adaptable staff, strengthening academic and administrative partnerships and facilitating a more diverse educational experience for students.»

Meike Ruhnau, Consultant for Strategic Personnel Development at the University of Hamburg

© Marcel Ruhnau
© Lea Böhland

«In September 2023, I had the opportunity to take a 2-week language course in Ireland with Erasmus. My goal was to improve my English and become more confident in the language. As a lecturer at the University of Hamburg and in my research, being able to effectively communicate in English with people of diverse nationalities is becoming increasingly important. Looking back, I can say that I have definitely achieved these goals.

Not only did I gain invaluable experience in Dublin, but I am now also equipped to teach in English. Given the extensive use of English terminology in the areas of information systems that I work in, such as project management or data mining, it makes sense for me to deliver lectures in English. Looking ahead, I plan to switch to English in more of my courses to accommodate a broader range of international students at the University of Hamburg.

I think the programme is an incredibly valuable resource for all employees and I highly recommend that everyone takes advantage of this excellent opportunity.»

Dr Kai Brüssau, Lecturer at the Institute of Information Systems

«I applied for a language trip to Ireland because I wanted to improve my English for work. I’m a public relations officer, so I often interview international researchers, post on social media and have work meetings in English. I’ve felt much more confident since the language trip. 

During the course, I had the opportunity to meet interesting people of all ages and I made lots of international contacts. It was fascinating to see how participants from around the world perceive Europe, specifically Ireland in this case. It was often fun to discover the subtle and more pronounced differences during classes, in lunch breaks or on excursions. These everyday interactions provided me with a wealth of cultural insights, and these are a real asset for my work in an international academic environment. 

I wouldn’t have considered the trip if there hadn’t been sustainable travel options – in my case, train and ferry. I enjoyed the longer journey there and back and getting a feel for the different countries, their landscapes and architecture. I highly recommend it!»

Stephanie Janssen, Public Relations Officer at the Centre for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN) and the Cluster of Excellence for Climate Research CLICCS

© P. Feuerböther
Contact:
Agnes Schulze-von Laszewski
EU02 – Learning Mobility of Individuals