IKaruS Newsletter, Issue 4/2025

Dear members of the University of Koblenz,

In our last newsletter of 2025, we would like to once again present a selection of our varied work. With the support of our Career Service, Ben Langholf has been the first EU Careers Student Ambassador of the University of Koblenz and provides information about career opportunities in the EU institutions. The Authorisation for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses was reassigned in November: The new authorised representative is Paul Bohlander, supported by his deputy Madeleine Stein.

At the lecturers' meeting In October, there was a lively exchange between the lecturers of the Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre on all questions and topics relating to teaching, while at the International Week contact has been maintained with students who are interested in spending time abroad as part of their degree programme. For international students, the project offers FIT4 SukCESS offers a wide range of workshops and language courses as well as the Alumni Talk, an opportunity to get in touch with former students of our university.

Finally, we would like to send you all our best wishes for the end of the year - no matter how you spend this special time of year or what traditions you cultivate. May the lecture-free period bring you moments of peace, togetherness and joy.

We would like to thank you for the successful and trusting cooperation and look forward to a wonderful new year with you in 2026!

Best regards

The IKaruS Team

First EU Careers Student Ambassador at the University of Koblenz

The University of Koblenz has had an EU Careers Student Ambassador for the first time since 1 October 2025!

Ben Langholf is now the contact person for all questions relating to career paths and internships at the EU institutions.
The EU Career Ambassador Programme was launched by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and is implemented in Germany by the European Movement Germany (EBD) in partnership with the Federal Foreign Office.

As EU Careers Student Ambassador, Ben provides information about career opportunities in the institutions of the European Union, organises information events and is active at trade fairs, in lectures and on social media.

Contact:
E-Mail: unikoblenz.eucareers@gmail.com
Instagram: unikoblenzxeucareers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uniko-eucareers/

New assignment for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses

We would like to announce that we - Paul Bohlander and Madeleine Stein (substitute) - have taken over the assignment for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses at the University of Koblenz since 5 November 2025.

Who we are and what we doStudying with a disability—do I qualify?What you can expect from us

As authorised representatives, we are the point of contact for students at the University of Koblenz who are affected by a physical and/or mental illness or impairment during their studies.
Our main tasks include

  • Advice on general questions relating to studying with a disability - e.g. organisation of studies, examinations, barriers and support in applying for compensation for disadvantages,
  • Representing and contributing to the interests of all students with disabilities in university committees - so that your voice is heard.

Many students are unsure whether they belong to the group of students with disabilities. Typical examples are

  • Mobility impairments
  • Visual, hearing or speech impairments
  • Mental illnesses (e.g. eating disorders, depression)
  • Chronic diseases (e.g. rheumatism, Crohn's disease, diabetes)
  • Dyslexia or other partial performance disorders
  • Autism or AD(H)S

If you are unsure whether you belong to this group, please get in touch with us!

  • Personal, confidential discussions and counselling
  • Advice on applications (compensation for disadvantages)
  • Contact point for questions about accessibility, examination modalities, study organisation
  • Commitment to making university and study programmes as accessible and fair as possible for you

How to reach us:
On our Website you can find an overview of contact options, register for a counselling session via an OLAT course and view helpful resources.

We look forward to shaping your study conditions together with you!

Best regards
Paul Bohlander & Madeleine Stein
barrierefrei@uni-koblenz.de
Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre - University of Koblenz

IKaruS Lecturers' Meeting 25/26 - Exciting discussions and valuable insights

On 15 October 2025, the IKaruS lecturers' meeting took place on the University of Koblenz campus. A total of 13 lecturers took part in the meeting: 9 in person and 4 digitally connected. During the meeting, there was a lively exchange between the lecturers and the Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre team, during which interesting suggestions, wishes and constructive criticism were expressed. Those present had the opportunity to network with other lecturers and exchange ideas about content, the methodological design of their courses and didactic approaches.

The meeting began with a welcome and a brief introduction to the Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre. Dr. Christoph Bendfeldt then gave a keynote speech on the DigiKompASS project, in which he is working on further training on digital competences in language teaching. In a relaxed atmosphere with coffee, biscuits and biscuits, experiences and ideas were shared at various topic islands, which enabled enriching communication between the lecturers. Lively discussions ensued on the topics of "Teaching methods and didactics", "Digital tools & AI", "Motivation & attitude" and "Wishes and visions". As the lecturers are based in different areas, the dialogue was all the more interesting. In addition to lecturers in languages such as Spanish, English, Russian, German as a foreign language (DaF) and Norwegian, lecturers from key competence modules such as writing workshop, presentation, getting started, interculturality, living together, career, digital skills and personality also took part. The wide range of topics and workshops provided enriching and interesting insights behind the scenes - not only for the Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre team, but also for the participating lecturers. While some lecturers reported on their many years of experience in teaching, new lecturers were able to ask questions and get tips on different approaches and methodologies when planning and designing courses and dealing with students in the Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre workshops and language courses.

Overall, the IKaruS lecturers' meeting was a complete success. The enriching exchange of experiences, course planning and educational approaches inspired us all. We look forward to future meetings and to continuing to think about teaching together with our lecturers!

Workshops, language courses, alumni talk - FIT4SukCESS events in the winter term 2025-26

This term, we are once again offering the DAAD-funded FIT4SukCESS project offers various English-language workshops that support international students both with their entry into academic life and their transition into the German labour market.

In December, workshops will be held that focus specifically on interdisciplinary academic competences and vocational skills of the students. For the funding of mental and emotional health, programmes such as Resilience Training and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome the programme.

At the start of the semester, the programme was expanded to include a guided visit to a job fair for IT and mathematics students.

A special highlight at the end of the year is the FIT4SukCESS Alumni Talk on 16 December. International students have the opportunity to talk to international alumni of the university and exchange ideas about professorship appointments.

Further workshops and intensive DaF courses will follow in the new year. Information can be found on the homepage of the FIT4SukCESS certificate

"I'll be off then..." - IKaruS represented at the International Week

On 19 November 2025, this year's International Week "I'm off then..." organised by the International Relations Office. The D-Building was festively decorated with flags, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

The fair offered interesting insights into international study and internship opportunities. Visitors were able to obtain comprehensive information at the numerous stands and take part in informative presentations. Topics included mobility windows during studies, exchange programmes such as ERASMUS+ and PROMOS, internships abroad and other options such as freemovers or BAföG abroad.

Our IKaruS stand was also very popular. Many students took the opportunity to find out about Language courses the crediting of Internships abroad in the two-subject, discipline Bachelor's programme and the workshops offered in the education profile development module of the new interdisciplinary Masters programme to inform.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the fair and are already looking forward to next year's International Week!