Internationality is key – with 41 events and visitors from 35 countries, Freie Universität Berlin is once again dedicating five days to celebrating International Week. Like every year, the event is taking place in parallel with the international Staff Training Week, where university members from around the world come together to take part in various training events at Freie Universität Berlin. International Week provides information and insight into the various exchange programs and financial support available for members of Freie Universität Berlin. In an interview with Stefanie Ritter and Herbert Grieshop from the Division of International Affairs, we asked what they’re looking forward to this year in particular. And why internationality is something that needs to be celebrated.

Ms. Ritter, Dr. Grieshop, this event is finally taking place in person once again after a two-year break, bringing many visitors from around the world to Freie Universität between June 13–17. Now that the big week is almost upon us, how do you feel?

Stefanie Ritter: We can’t wait! Nothing quite comes close to seeing everyone face to face on campus. An incredible 118 participants from 35 countries have signed up for the Staff Training Week – a format that enables those employed in administration at universities to exchange ideas with colleagues from around the world. This year, the event is being organized by four departments, which correspond to the four main areas of focus: the Career Service, the University Library, the Welcome Service for New Employees, and the Division of International Affairs.

Herbert Grieshop: Touching base with our international partners is always a positive experience. And even though the event took place online in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, this is something that we were able to continue doing. But knowing that everyone is coming back to Dahlem this year makes it even more exciting.

Has the pandemic affected the way in which you now approach international affairs?

Herbert Grieshop: More attention is being paid to subjects like sustainability and greener travel. Many of our guests are combining their journey to Freie Universität with visits to other partners in Europe.

Stefanie Ritter: We’ve also noticed that people have become more skilled at navigating the digital world. For this reason, we have chosen to keep some elements from the past two years. For example, we have again asked all participants to introduce themselves in a short video, which is then uploaded onto our website. One thing we’re doing differently this year is asking everyone to choose a word beginning with the first letter of their first name to describe themselves. I chose “sunny…”

Herbert Grieshop: … and I chose “happy!”

While we’re on the subject of the digital world... Taking a look at the program, it looks like many events are taking place online once more.

Herbert Grieshop: That’s right, and that may surprise some people. However, unlike the last two years, this is a decision we made not out of necessity but conviction. During the years of the pandemic, we learned what works well in a digital format and what doesn’t – sometimes digital is even the better choice. For instance, informational events that take place online often reach more people than those that take place in person. The Go Out Day we offer to students is a good example of this. But more creative events that rely on direct contact between people and where it is important to create a specific atmosphere work much better when carried out face to face.

Freie Universität Berlin received the prestigious title of “International Network University” as part of the Excellence Initiative 2006/2007 – if we’re so international already, why do we need a specific week dedicated to the subject?

Herbert Grieshop: International Week is our flagship event for demonstrating how Freie Universität Berlin lives up to this title. It offers events aimed at all members of the university: students, employees, instructors, and researchers. Members of our partner universities and the directors of our five liaison offices are coming to Dahlem. Furthermore, all academic guests who are currently on campus are warmly invited to a reception at Harnack Haus.

Stefanie Ritter: The event puts Freie Universität employees in contact with colleagues from around the world. It also enables those working at Freie Universität and who haven’t yet been abroad as part of their work to get a taste of internationality. Who knows, maybe it will even inspire some people to get more involved on the international level themselves.

Herbert Grieshop: International Week is the embodiment of our international profile. Internationality must be celebrated!

Christine Boldt conducted the interview.

This article originally appeared in German on June 8, 2022, in campus.leben, the online magazine of Freie Universität Berlin.