Exchange between senior citizen students and international students

Senior citizen studies is a further education program offered by some universities in Germany for people of an advanced age who would like to continue their academic education after retirement. The participants, so-called senior students, attend lectures, seminars or special events in the spirit of lifelong learning. However, not all universities offer such programs, and the scope and structure vary from university to university. TU Dortmund University has an established continuing education program for senior citizens, which enables projects and exchange formats in addition to courses. This also creates opportunities for encounters between different generations within the university.

The program also emerged from this context. It was launched in 2008 by committed senior students. Today, it is a cooperative project of Department 17 - Continuing Education for Senior Citizens - in collaboration with the International Office of TU Dortmund University and the International Office of Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. A special feature of this program is its intergenerational approach. While many universities offer buddy or sponsorship programs in which students support international students, this program specifically brings international students together with senior students.

A total of almost 50,000 people from over 100 countries study at TU Dortmund University and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. For many international students, studying in Germany also means finding their way in a new cultural environment. The program supports them in making contacts outside the campus and getting to know social life in Germany better.

At the same time, the program offers senior students the opportunity to come into contact with young people from different countries, get to know new cultures and exchange exciting perspectives. Support with written work or job applications is also possible.

The aim of the program is to create encounters between the generations and promote intercultural exchange. International students gain insights into German culture and everyday life in Dortmund. At the same time, the senior students get to know new cultures and can view their own culture from a new perspective.

Senior citizen students are older adults who are studying at TU Dortmund University or attending courses at TU Dortmund University after graduation.

Participation can be credited as an internship for senior students in the continuing education program. Further information can be found at www.seniorenstudium.tu-dortmund.de/en/.

The fun of getting to know each other and the common experience are in the focus of interest! As a mentor, you have no pre-determined duties, but can individually arrange activities and shape the time pattern of the partnership according to your wishes. You do not need to have any foreign language skills, since one of the main goals is to give international students additional opportunity to communicate in German. As the students do not only stay in Germany for one or two semesters, but most often for their entire studies, we hope for long-term commitment with regular contact.

If you have time and motivation to become part of a mentoring relationship, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail or simply drop by during our weekly meetings.

Together we will consult closely with you before putting you in touch with one or two foreign students - e.g. during joint activities.

We appreciate your interest!

Please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail or simply visit us during our weekly meetings. 

Together we will consult closely with you before putting you in touch with a potential mentor, e.g. during joint activities.

We appreciate your interest!