Intercultural skills for the practical year abroad

Flying doctors in Australia or mountain rescue in the Alps? Medical students are offered the opportunity to spend part of their practical year at a hospital abroad. That way, they get to know other healthcare systems and broaden their medical horizon. In order to prepare students for a stay abroad, to sensitize them to cultural differences and to teach them further intercultural skills, an Intercultural Seminar is organized annually by the Department of Development and International Affairs.

This year's seminar was held on the weekend of October 23 and 24, 2021. The content focused on the different cultural conditions in the students' countries of choice. This year, students had chosen Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Austria, and Italy within and Australia and South Africa outside of Europe.

Among the special highlights of the event, the students mentioned the lecturer Laura Park, who made the seminar very engaging and interactive, as well as the fact that it was held in English. The 14 participants were also provided with 'typical British' afternoon tea and biscuits during the event (see photo).