The goal

A semester abroad can mean significant costs, especially if the partner university chosen is located in one of the largest metropolitan areas on the west coast of the USA: Los Angeles. In the interest of equal opportunity, the International coordination team applied to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for funding under the International Study and Education Partnerships (ISAP) programme and its application was approved. These funds provide students who would not have been able to afford such a semester abroad with the opportunity to participate in an exchange. 

The programme

The ISAP project approved for exchanges between HAW Hamburg and California State University Long Beach (CSULB) consists of several packages of measures. First, it promotes the intensification of instructor and student exchanges. This includes stays abroad for three HAW Hamburg scholarship recipients, together with guest lectureships. The latter is in line with HAW Hamburg's Internationalisation@home strategy, which enables students to also obtain international experience even if they do not go abroad themselves. During the initial term of two years, so-called pre-approved credit points will be implemented. These are intended to harmonise the recognition practices at both universities and will enable students to have credit points and assessments completed at the partner university recognised more easily at their home university. As a result of the long-standing cooperation, there are already a large number of alumni who will need to be networked in future. The network between students at the two universities will be strengthened through the development of an alumni management system.

Application process

Only students who have already successfully completed the application process for a semester abroad at CSULB can apply for the scholarships. Available places at CSULB are announced by the student exchange coordinator in the Department of Business: Lea Andres. Of the group of students who secure a place at CSULB, three will be selected for a scholarship by Prof. Natalia Ribberink in a separate process. Announcements regarding student exchange places as well as the scholarships will be made via the HAW Hamburg mailer. Interested students should therefore check their mailbox regularly.

Sponsor: German Academic Exchange Service

Duration: August 2021–August 2023

Partner university: California State University Long Beach, USA

Target group: Students in the Department of Business

Number of students funded: 3

Funding period:
Winter term (5 months)

Scholarship amount:
€1,175 per month
€1,525 flight allowance (one-time funding)
€35 insurance flat rate per month