Strategic partner CSULB
The Faculty of Social Work and Early Childhood Education has had a partnership with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) since 2013. Between 2013 and 2026, 58 CSULB students completed an exchange semester in Hamburg and 21 HAW Hamburg students completed an exchange semester in Long Beach (estimated value of the study places: USD 147,000).
To further develop the partnership strategically, the faculty has received ISAP funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the years 2026–2028. The grant is for scholarships for HAW Hamburg students completing an exchange semester at CSULB and for faculty exchange between the universities. It provides travel grants for HAW Hamburg and CSULB faculty and is used to provide financial support for the Master’s Summer School and to facilitate guest lectures in Long Beach. Project lead: Prof. Dr. Daniela Ulber
ISAP scholarships
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For the summer semesters of 2027 and 2028, three HAW Hamburg students in each year will receive a full ISAP scholarship worth 8,550 euros to complete a semester abroad at CSULB. The places will be announced in November as part of the annual “HAW goes USA” call for applications. The application deadline is 6 January.
Junior Spring Semester Abroad
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CSULB students complete courses and their 80-hour compulsory work placement in Hamburg during their third year. The semester programme is fully recognised as part of their degree in Long Beach, meaning that US students remain within the standard period of study. This makes the programme very attractive, and between 6 and 10 students come to Hamburg as a cohort every summer semester. This explains why there were so many more CSULB students in Hamburg compared to HAW Hamburg students. more information on the CSULB-Website
Master Summer School
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Since 2023, there has been a joint summer school for CSULB Master’s students in Hamburg and Berlin. The overarching theme of the summer school is ‘Human Rights & Social Work’. The CSULB students attend lectures and visit social institutions in Hamburg. They also engage in discussions with HAW Hamburg students as part of a student salon. For the US students, the content forms part of their ‘Social Policy’ seminar. Several lecturers from both universities are responsible for the course content. The summer school format was chosen because the US Master’s students do not have the opportunity to spend an extended period studying abroad as part of their curriculum without extending the standard duration of their studies. Furthermore, HAW Hamburg does not currently offer any Master’s courses in English.
Participants:
2023: 32 students Article
2024: 40 students
2025: 35 students
2026: 24 students
Faculty exchange
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In the summer semester, CSULB Professor Jason Plummer teaches a block seminar entitled ‘Strengths-based interventions with families and organisations’ for HAW Hamburg students and international exchange students in Hamburg. This course equips students with the skills needed to work with socially interdependent groups such as families and work teams. The focus is on evidence-based interventions in various contexts. The course also addresses professional roles, ethics and values.
