Intercontinental Teacher Education (ITE)

Project Description

Intercontinental Teacher Education is an exchange programme for student teachers at the University of Hamburg that aims to professionalize prospective teachers. The core of the program is dealing with the uncertainty that arises from experiences in different linguistic, cultural and educational contexts. These experiences serve as a basis for reflection and learning processes. A special feature of this program is that not only Hamburg students go abroad, but also students from our partner universities-especially from countries in the Global South-are financially supported by INTER project funding to participate in the Hamburg Study Camp and gain valuable practical experience at bilingual schools in Hamburg. 

Program

At the heart of the program is a four to six-week stay at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) (paused for the time being), the University of Education, Winneba (Ghana), the Universidad des la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Griffith University (Australia). The stay abroad is framed by intensive preparation and an accompanying university and cultural program. Students from the partner universities in North Carolina, Winneba, Buenos Aires and Queensland then take part in the Hamburg Study Camp at the University of Hamburg. The program thus runs for a total of almost three semesters.

Participants

In principle, the program is open to all teacher training students with all subject combinations at Universität Hamburg. Students with English as a teaching subject are particularly encouraged to apply, as are those who will be studying in their first Master's semester at the start of the project in the winter semester. The participation of students from the Vocational School Teacher Training program with the target countries Ghana, Australia and Argentina is only possible by prior arrangement. An application is recommended from the 6th semester of the Bachelor's degree, so that the Master's seminar Priority Topics: Heterogeneity can be taken.

Objectives of the Project

The project focuses primarily on practical experience in intercultural school contexts. The overarching aim is to promote professionalization in teacher training by familiarizing students with different cultural contexts and critically reflecting on their own perceptions and attitudes. This includes observing, analyzing and discussing teaching methods, school systems and didactic approaches in Germany, Ghana, the USA, Argentina and Australia. The aim is to enable prospective teachers to better prepare for their future professional life and to better prepare them for dealing with heterogeneous classes. The project offers participants the opportunity to question existing attitudes and broaden their perspectives with regard to different education systems. They also get to grips with the challenges and topics of their future profession.

Opportunities

Student teachers can apply for the Lehramt.International scholarship from the DAAD for internships of six weeks or more.

For student teachers who would like to combine their Master's thesis with a stay abroad at one of our partner universities, there is also the opportunity to apply for scholarships as part of the INTER project. Further information on application deadlines and modalities can be found here.

Partner Institutions

University of Education Winneba (Ghana)
The School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) (Departures for the U.S. currently on hold)
Universidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Griffith University (Australia)