# Promoting International Specialists: FIT for Success@RWTH Aachen University

**Source**: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bixgoo/lidx/1
**Parent**: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bure/lidx/1

Copyright: © Fabian Erler

Our aim is to make international students feel welcome at RWTH and develop their potential as the specialists of tomorrow.

## Contact

### Lisa Stephens

[Send Email](mailto:FIT4success@rwth-aachen.de)\

As part of the DAAD funding program [FIT – Promoting Academic Success and Labour Market Integration of International Talents](https://www.daad.de/en/information-services-for-higher-education-institutions/further-information-on-daad-programmes/fit/), RWTH Aachen University will receive a total of 1.19 million euros in funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) from April 2024 to the end of 2028.

Our project "FIT for Success@RWTH Aachen" is made up of five measures that contribute to the success of international students, prepare international students even better for the German job market and facilitate their transition into the German labor market.

The welcoming culture at RWTH will therefore be strengthened in the long term and international students will receive even better guidance and targeted support throughout the entire student lifecycle.

Are you an international student?

Please contact the [International Support Services](mailto:international@rwth-aachen.de) division in the International Office.

## Five Steps: One Goal

### 1. Development of an online German language course "Prepare for Success@RWTH Aachen"

International first-year students take part in an intensive, practical German course (C1 level) online before starting their studies. The aim is to prepare students in the best possible way for the start of their studies. It is designed to address students' expectations of studying and living in Germany and, if necessary, to correct them, to raise awareness of the importance of German language skills for their studies and to prepare the students socially, interculturally, and professionally for living and studying in Aachen. The course provides students with the skills that they need for a successful start to their studies and is rounded off with a personal meeting of the course participants during Welcome Week.

- Target group: New international bachelor students
- Contact: [Language Center of RWTH Aachen University](https://www.sz.rwth-aachen.de/cms/~iilg/sz/?lidx=1)

### 2. Introduction of an "International Student Success Advisor" advice center

The "International Student Success Advisor" offers confidential advice for international students with teething troubles or performance problems during their studies. During a personal consultation, students who are not making good progress in their studies are specifically referred to targeted, tailored services (such as language courses, writing courses, study skills training, counseling services, including those offered by the Psychological Counseling Center), which help to safeguard and increase individual academic success.

The office is located in the International Office and it maintains a large network of advice and service centers inside and outside the University that are of particular importance to international students. The International Student Success Advisor oversees the entire student lifecycle of international students and develops new measures during the course of the project that systematically contribute to ensuring the academic success of international students.

- Target group: International students
- Contact: [Birte Nachtkamp, International Office, Division 2.2 - International Support Services](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bdfr/gguid/PER-ZPAYAVP)

### 3. "Peer Success Coaching"

The new "Peer Success Coaching" program is a structured, semester-based offer that is designed to improve the academic integration of international students. In close cooperation with the faculties and student councils, a program of events is being developed that is carried out peer-to-peer "by students for students". In close cooperation with the programme coordinator in the International Office and the respective student councils, student peer success coaches conduct events and small group tutorials that explain important aspects of organizing your studies in a step by step manner. This allows them to specifically address the biggest hurdles that are faced by international students. Support during the central first semester induction week is particularly important.

- Target group: New international students, especially Bachelor's students
- Contact: [Maddy Ruppé, International Office,](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bdfr/gguid/PER-BWX4YCE) Division [2.2 - International Support Services](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bdfr/gguid/PER-BWX4YCE)
- Website: [Peer Success Coaching](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bibgwf/lidx/1)

### 4. Establishment of an "International Career Service"

The Career Center is developing a new portfolio of career-related support services, particularly for international students, and is increasingly gearing its existing advisory services towards the needs of international students. The International Career Service coordinates various measures to increase the employability of international students (e.g. application training, workshops on the German job market, soft skills training, career fairs) and cooperates with a large network of companies and regional players. The aim is to draw new potential from this network to facilitate the transition into the German job market and to attract future international specialists.

- Target group: International students
- Contact: [Career Center](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/ejx/lidx/1)

### 5. "Career Success in Germany" Certificate

The new “Career Success in Germany” certificate provides international students with structured preparation for starting a career in Germany. The program has a modular structure and it consists of language, technical, and practical professional skills. Participants increase their individual employability and can prove their acquired knowledge and experience to future employers in the form of a certificate. The certificate therefore offers potential employers in the region an additional quality feature for international applicants. An additional bonus is the cooperation with employers in the implementation of certain modules, for example the practical phase. Participation in the “Career Success in Germany” certificate reduces the barriers to a successful transition into the German job market in many respects.

- Target group: All international students, especially master's students
- Contact: [Career Center](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/ejx/lidx/1)

If you have any further questions about the “FIT for Success@RWTH Aachen” project or are interested in working with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

## Similar Topics

- [DAAD website on the FIT program – Promoting Academic Success and Labour Market Integration of International Talents](https://www.daad.de/en/information-services-for-higher-education-institutions/further-information-on-daad-programmes/fit/)
- [International Office at RWTH Aachen University](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Zielgruppenportale/~uzn/Internationale/lidx/1/)
- [Career Center at RWTH Aachen University](https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/Nach-dem-Studium/~ejx/Karriere/lidx/1/)