This interactive workshop is designed for international students who are preparing to navigate professional life in Germany. The focus is on developing intercultural competence and understanding the norms, values, and communication styles that shape German work culture. Together, we will explore how cultural differences influence workplace interactions and learn practical strategies to manage them constructively. Students will reflect on their own cultural backgrounds, compare them to German workplace practices, and practice adapting to intercultural situations with confidence. Through group discussions, short exercises, and experience sharing, participants gain insights into typical aspects of German professional life such as hierarchy, formality, feedback culture, and workplace etiquette. The aim is to strengthen students’ ability to communicate effectively, build professional relationships, and approach cultural challenges as opportunities for growth.

Students will…

• ...understand the concept of intercultural competence and why it matters for
  working in Germany.
• ...be familiar with typical values, norms, and expectations in German workplaces
  (e.g., hierarchy, punctuality, formality, communication style).
• ...reflect on differences between their own cultural background and German work
  culture and discuss strategies for adapting constructively.
• ...know how to handle common challenges such as direct feedback, workplace
  formality, or misunderstandings with suitable tools and approaches.
• ...gain practical tips for professional communication in Germany (email,
  meetings, conflict resolution) and develop personal strategies for intercultural
  encounters.

Note: A PC, laptop, or tablet with a stable internet connection, as well as video and audio capabilities are needed to attend.

+As the seminar is designed to be interactive, having cameras switched on contributes significantly to a positive group atmosphere and is therefore explicitly encouraged during the session.

The topic will be presented in an interactive lecture format. Throughout the lecture, you will have numerous opportunities to actively participate and contribute. This includes asking questions, taking part in surveys, and sharing
your own experiences. All questions will be answered directly, and the lecture will be tailored to your needs. Additionally, the process of creating AI-generated applications will be demonstrated live. After the lecture, all participants will
receive a detailed documentation of the presentation to have all the important information on hand.

This online workshop is free and open to all students of the FORTHEM Alliance - regardless of their study program or academic progress - and you can receive a certificate of participation upon request.

Lecturer:

Kristian Schubert (M.Sc. in Engineering) has been working for over 10 years as a trainer and coach for professional and personal development. In this role, he has worked for numerous companies, organizations, and universities. A key focus of his work is preparing students for their professional careers. In his previous career as a project and sales manager in international plant and mechanical engineering, Kristian coordinated many highly complex and long-term projects. The use of technological tools and solutions to simplify and accelerate work processes was always a key to success. For this reason, Kristian has extensively studied the potentials and challenges of AI and incorporated these insights into his lecture.