Intercontinental Teacher Education (ITE)
The Project

Photo: UHH
Intercontinental Teacher Education is an exchange program for teacher education students at the University of Hamburg designed to foster the professional development of future teachers. At the heart of the program is an exploration of the uncertainty that arises from experiences in diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational contexts. These experiences serve as the foundation for reflection and learning processes.
Content
Overview
The program centers on a four- to six-week stay at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) (currently on hold), the University of Education, Winneba (Ghana), the Universidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), or Griffith University (Australia). The study abroad period is complemented by intensive preparation and a university and cultural support program. This is followed by participation in the Hamburg Study Camp at the University of Hamburg, which is attended by students from the partner universities in North Carolina, Winneba, Buenos Aires, and Queensland. Thus, the program spans a total of just under three semesters.

As part of the ITE program, all students participate in accompanying seminars. These courses serve both to prepare students for the program’s content and to facilitate an in-depth exploration of key thematic areas.
Students enroll in the designated seminar, which is assigned to the module “Priority Topics in Educational Science” and whose content is aligned with the objectives of the ITE program.
As part of the Intercontinental Teacher Education (ITE) Program’s Study Camp, participating teacher education students from partner universities come to Hamburg for a period of approximately three to four weeks.
The Study Camp consists of various content modules. These include academic program components, seminars, and joint reflection sessions in which international perspectives on schools, teaching, and teacher education are discussed. A central component for students from partner universities is also a teaching practicum at a Hamburg school, which provides them with practical insights into the German education system.
The academic program is complemented by a welcome event at the beginning and a farewell event at the end of the Study Camp. In addition, there is time for leisure activities and cultural offerings, which are organized jointly by all participating students and promote intercultural exchange even outside the seminar room.
The Study Camps thus offer an intensive international learning experience that combines academic work, school practice, and intercultural interaction.
In general, the program is open to all teacher education students at the University of Hamburg, regardless of their subject combinations. Students majoring in English as a teaching subject are especially encouraged to apply, as are those who will be in their first semester of the Master’s program when the project begins in the winter semester. Participation by students in the vocational school teacher education program with target countries Ghana, Australia, and Argentina is only possible after prior consultation. However, please do not hesitate to contact us regarding this!
We recommend applying starting in the 6th semester of your bachelor’s programme so that you can enroll in the master’s seminar “Priority Topics: Heterogeneity” when you begin the program in the winter semester.
The project focuses primarily on practical experience in intercultural school settings. The overarching goal is to promote professional development in teacher education by helping students become familiar with different cultural contexts and critically reflect on their own perceptions and attitudes. This includes the observation, analysis, and discussion of teaching methods, school systems, and pedagogical approaches in Germany, Ghana, the United States, Argentina, and Australia. This exploration is intended to better prepare prospective teachers for their future professional lives and equip them to handle heterogeneous classrooms more effectively. The project offers participants the opportunity to question existing attitudes and broaden their perspectives regarding different educational systems. Additionally, they engage with the challenges and issues of their future profession.
A distinctive feature of this program is that not only do students from Hamburg travel abroad, but students from our partner universities—particularly those from countries in the Global South—are also financially supported through INTER project funding to participate in the Hamburg Study Camp and gain valuable practical experience at bilingual schools in Hamburg.
Teacher education students can apply for the DAAD’s Lehramt.International scholarship for internships lasting six weeks or longer.
For teacher education students who would like to combine their master’s thesis with a study abroad program at one of our partner universities, the INTER project also offers the opportunity to apply for scholarships. Further information on application deadlines and procedures can be found here.
Currently, students can attend the following partner universities through ITE:
- University of Education Winneba (Ghana)
- The School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) (paused)
- Universidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- Griffith University (Australia)
The ITE program can be credited as parts of the core internship in the Master’s degree programs for teacher education.
In addition, the internship is recognized as a mandatory study abroad period required as part of a teacher education program in a foreign language.
A stay in Argentina can also count as an English-language study abroad period, since the program content is in English.
Informationen zur Bewerbung
Application Documents:
The application period takes place annually in June for participation in the following year.
- Completed and signed application form
- Current certificate of enrollment
- Transcript of Records
- Curriculum vitae (in English), including details of previous stays abroad
- Statement of purpose (in English, 1–2 pages): Personal background and academic development, interests/goals, involvement within or outside the university
- Why did you choose the host country?
- What challenges do you expect from your stay abroad and how would you handle them?
- Explanation of the relevance to your further teacher training and/or your future as a teacher
- Language proficiency certificate: For example, the free DAAD language proficiency certificate is accepted. This can be issued either by language instructors or at the Language Center. The free language certificate/placement test from the Language Center is also sufficient, as is a TOEFL or IELTS language certificate
- English: Minimum B2 level and no older than 2 years
- Spanish: Minimum B1 level and no older than 2 years (a certificate with an A2 level and confirmation of participation in a B1 language course are sufficient at the time of application)
- If available: Evidence of extracurricular involvement or qualifications, e.g., involvement in university politics or volunteer work
- Prioritization of target countries (1 = highest priority)
Please compile your application documents into a single PDF file and apply using our application tool, which will be available on this page during the application period. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us by email at inter.ew@uni-hamburg.de. The application deadline is June 30.
Application Tool
Information on Host Countries
Contact
If you have any questions about ITE, please contact us at:
inter.ew@uni-hamburg.de