TU Languages Program Awarded Edu.de Cooperation Prize

Wednesday, July 17, 2002

The University of Tulsa has received an EDU.de Cooperation Prize for its Study Abroad program in Siegen, Germany. The $10,000 prize is awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service and is funded by the German government’s European Recovery Program.

Out of 20 nominated schools, TU was one of three recognized for its highly successful efforts in developing a university partnership that promotes the exchange of students and scholars and fosters German-American cooperation in higher education.

The program is designed to attract students from a wide range of academic majors. “Our program is very innovative because we take students who are not solely German majors,” said Victor Udwin, associate professor of German and comparative literature at TU. “The program allows students from the College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences to have the international experience, too.”

The program’s goal is to immerse students in the culture and language. Students take regular courses at the University of Siegen, with all classes taught in German. The program promotes hands-on learning, emphasizing independent actions and self-responsibility.

Students make their own way to Siegen and are encouraged to participate in local activities such as joining community clubs, attending church and playing sports. “This makes them spend their time with Germans rather than with each other,” Udwin said. “They live with different German families and don’t take their classes together. They are somewhat isolated from each other, which allows for a meaningful experience.”

The exchange program has been operating since 1996. Since then, 36 TU students from 17 academic majors have attended classes at the University of Siegen.

The prize was awarded on May 29.