Go global

Certificate of International Competencies

Are you studying at BHT and planning a semester abroad? Or would you like to actively support the internationalization of our university and help  our international students settle in?

If you have answered yes to the above questions, our Certificate of International Competencies is just the right thing for you! It officially recognizes your international engagement and documents how you have developed intercultural skills and soft skills during your studies – all in one compact BHT certificate.

You can register for the program at any time during your studies and fulfill the requirements for the certificate flexibly  over the course of your enrollment. Components that you have already completed will also be recognized.

What does the Certificate offer?

  • It provides a clear overview of your international and intercultural competencies – a great asset for future job or internship applications.
  • It formally acknowledges a wide range of voluntary activities and initiatives in the context of internationalization during your time at BHT.

How it works

  • The Certificate  includes four modules.
  • You must complete at least one component from each module.
  • Activities already completed during your studies can be recognized retrospectively.

Registration and process

  • Register for the certificate via Mobility Online  
  • Select the components you have completed.
  • You can make changes and additions at any time prior to submission
  • Once you have submitted the form via Mobility Online, the Office of Global Engagement will review  your application and contact you with a decision within four weeks of receiving it. You can download your certificate directly from Mobility Online.

Modules

To apply for the Certificate, you have to complete at least one component (activity) per module and submit evidence for each component completed (certificates of attendance, a transcript of records, etc.) 

Module 1: Foreign Languages

  • Language skills (in addition to those acquired at school)
  • Language courses at BHT or another university or language school, including “Volkshochschulen” (VHS, German adult education centers) 

Duration: At at least one semester or 72h
Proof: Confirmation of successful participation

Module 2: Intercultural Reflection

  • Intercultural or diversity training at external institutions
  • Cultural training 
  • Active participation in the AStA units “Equality” and “Queer”
  • Selected courses offered in Studium generale (the electives program)

Proof: Confirmation of successful participation or confirmation of successful completion, with a minimum scope of 2.5 ECTS or 75 hours

Module 3: Intercultural Engagement

  • Participation in the BHT Buddy Program
  • Ambassador at “studieren weltweit“ 
  • Participation in a voluntary COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project
  • Volunteer work in an intercultural association 
  • Participation in the electives module “Mentoring for engagement with refugees” (see Studium generale)
  • Active participation in the AStA ‘Anti-Racism’ or ‘International Affairs’ committees? (AStA stands for Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss, which translates to General Students’ Committee in English) 
  • Founding a local Erasmus Initiative at BHT. For more information please see the following link: https://eu.daad.de/programme-und-hochschulpolitik/studentisches-engagement/lokale-erasmus-initiativen/de/
  • Minimum scope: 30 hours in total; individual activities can be combined

Proof: Certificate or confirmation of participation. It must include: 

  • Name of student
  • Where (association/organization)
  • When (duration)
  • What (list of activities/tasks)

Module 4: Study-Related Exchange

  • Study-related stay abroad (study or internship abroad) 
  • BHT excursion abroad
  • Summer/winter schools abroad
  • Erasmus+ Blended-Short-Term-Mobility
  • Study periods completed abroad (e.g. completion of a Bachelor's degree abroad) are recognized as experience abroad. Proof by certificate is required.
  • International students who have come to Germany to study at BHT (degree seeking) and have already studied at BHT for two semesters can have their stay in Germany counted towards module 4. 

Proof: Confirmation of Stay Abroad or Transcript of Records (ToR) or Recognition Certiciate or Internship Certificate or Testimonial

Questions & Answers

It is an official document issued by BHT that highlights your international experience and intercultural engagement during your studies, for exampe, through a study abroad semester or internship abroad, volunteer work, or intercultural training

 

All BHT students are eligible - regardless of their degree program or semester.

 

Eligible components include for example: 

  • Study abroad semesters or internships
  • Volunteering to support international students (e.g. BHT buddy program)
  • Participation in intercultural workshops and? language courses

Yes, as long as they were completed during your study program either at BHT or at another university.

 

The certificate boosts your CV and showcases your international and intercultural skills  which are valuable for both national and international career paths.