The Kaufmann International Programme is a seminar abroad funded by Erasmus+. It offers the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer college trainees the opportunity to take part in a language course at the Horner School of English in Dublin for three weeks to expand their knowledge of English and business administration. At the end of the stay, all students had to prove their performance by giving a presentation and taking a written exam.
This year, the inIT was represented at the programme from the 4th - 23rd of September 2023 by two trainees, Tim Esau and Jannik Peters.
The stay in Ireland consisted of lessons at the family-run private school and excursions organised by the school. This combination allowed the participants to both prepare for the exams and explore the capital of Ireland more closely. Already on the first day, a city tour was arranged, during which, among other sights, insights into the history of Dublin were provided.
The focus of the diverse lessons was the constant exchange between the students. As the lessons were held exclusively in English, a significant improvement in the use of the language was guaranteed. In the first days, the students focused on preparing for the presentation week, which included planning and structuring presentations and further developing language skills. In addition, topics such as entrepreneurship and marketing were also covered. In the following two weeks, knowledge about grammar and negotiating with business partners was also deepened.
Thanks to various day trips on the weekends, the participants also gained numerous insights into the different facets of Ireland away from the capital city. "The school staff managed to give us a great time in Ireland, especially through the extracurricular programme", said Tim Esau.
The trainees were accommodated in an Irish host family. They are convinced this was another significant factor in improving their language skills. Many pleasant conversations ensued, and they had plenty of opportunities to share their experiences with the host family. "The fusion of Irish culture and school education was a remarkable aspect of the Kaufmann International Programme for me", says Jannik Peters.
After completing the seminar abroad, Jannik and Tim agree: "It was essential for us to expand our English skills, as the English language is becoming increasingly important in everyday life and especially in professional life. The Kaufmann International Programme offered us an excellent opportunity to reach this goal. Overall, we can recommend it to all future trainees."