Visit from our partner university in Belfast

From May 17 to 21, 2026, the Center for International Studies (ZIS) welcomed a delegation from Queen’s University Belfast to Dresden. As part of the ERASMUS faculty partnership, 10 students, accompanied by Prof. David Phinnemore (European Politics) and Dr. Sarah Wagner (Quantitative Political Science), came to experience Dresden and the TU Dresden—and, of course, to make new connections.

To ensure our guests felt completely at home, we put together a varied program: a mix of exciting academic highlights, cultural experiences, and plenty of student interaction.

A look back at the highlights

Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions

After a leisurely breakfast together, the first day kicked off with an academic insight: A brief introduction to a lecture by Prof. Kemnitz gave the guests a glimpse into student life at TU Dresden. Afterward, it was time for a discovery tour: The IB Association led the group on a tour of the campus and provided an overview of life and learning at the university—with plenty of enthusiasm and good cheer. In the afternoon, the program featured a visit to Dresden’s historic Old Town, which was explored together with IB students and staff. Our guests were impressed by the beauty of the city and took the opportunity to take plenty of photos! In the evening, the students enjoyed a fun pub quiz organized by their fellow students from Dresden.

Day 2: Nature, Science, and a Shared-Apartment Exchange

Day 2 took the group to the impressive Saxon Switzerland —a real highlight! The hike along the Heilige Stiege to the Carolafelsen required some stamina, but in the end, everyone agreed: It was worth it! The breathtaking views quickly made us forget the effort.
In the evening, it was back to academic life. Prof. Klaus Gründler gave a fascinating lecture on the topic “Economic Voting in Electoral Precincts: Evidence from a Cartography of Germany’s 400 Largest Cities.” Thanks to the clear presentation, the lecture was easy to follow even for non-economists—kudos to Prof. Christian Leßmann, who organized this evening.
The day culminated in a student exchange. The Northern Irish students were welcomed into the shared apartments of Dresden IB students. Through shared conversations and a lively student atmosphere, new friendships were formed and many tips for a potential semester abroad were exchanged.

Day 3: History and a Discussion on Brexit

© Dziuba-Claus

On the third day, the group delved into an important chapter of German history: the visit to the Bautzner Straße Memorial brought the political persecution in the Soviet Occupation Zone and the GDR to life. Special thanks go to our student Iris Bischoff, whose guided tour deepened the guests’ understanding of the site.
Another highlight followed in the evening: Prof. David Phinnemore and Dr. Sarah Wagner gave a lecture as part of a guest colloquium hosted by Prof. Anna Holzscheiter on the topic “Brexit: Ten Years After the ‘Leave’ Referendum—Impact on the United Kingdom and the EU.” The discussion that followed was lively, informative, and offered new perspectives—particularly with regard to Northern Ireland’s view of Brexit.

The Perfect Finale

To wrap up the visit, everyone gathered for a cozy dinner at the Torwirtschaft. This provided another opportunity to reflect on the experiences of the past few days and to make plans together for the future. The UK’s re-entry into the Erasmus+ program sparked concrete ideas for exchanges. Staff members from the Chair of International Politics led by Prof. Anna Holzscheiter were also present and enriched the discussions with their perspectives.

Enthusiasm on Both Sides

The warm hospitality and varied program left a lasting impression on the guests from Belfast. In a thank-you letter, they wrote:
“Many, many thanks for all the work you put in to arranging a great time for us in Dresden last week, for the time you spent with us, and for the exceptionally generous hospitality provided. We really are indebted to you, to Ines, to the students, and to your colleagues at the Center for International Studies.”

The students were also more than thrilled:
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for such a wonderful trip. It was really great to be able to socialize with German students and get advice about my semester abroad. I really appreciate how much effort went into creating such a diverse itinerary, and I had a fantastic time… I learned a lot. I will definitely consider TU Dresden for my master’s program! It was a trip I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Thank you so much :)"

© Dziuba-Claus

A Look to the Future

The visit not only helped the students from Belfast consider Dresden as a potential place to study—it also laid the foundation for closer collaboration between ZIS/TU Dresden and Queen’s University Belfast. We hope this partnership will grow beyond student exchanges, and we’re already looking forward to future joint projects. A big thank you goes to Michalina Dziuba-Claus, who organized the visit with great dedication, as well as to all the helpers who made this experience possible. We look forward to seeing you again in Dresden—or perhaps in Belfast!