Intercultural training for doctoral students of the Sino-German International Research Training Group [25.03.19]
More than 40 doctoral researchers of the Sino-German International Research Training Group AMAIZE-P had the opportunity to specifically prepare themselves for intercultural challenges in the Sino-German context via an Intercultural Training Workshop on March 23, 2019.
(Photo: CHIKOH, University of Hohenheim)
A cooperation between the BMBF project „China Competence in Hohenheim“ (CHIKOH) und the DFG-funded International Research Training Group (IRTG) AMAIZE-P enabled to organize a taylor-made training targeted at the interests and needs of the doctoral candidates on both sides. At the same time, this event was part of the 2nd Block Seminar of the IRTG which took place between March 18 and 23, 2019. Additionally, three scientists and three doctoral candidates of the parallel Sino-German IRTG “TransTip” (DFG GRK 2309) from Technische Universität Braunschweig and the University of Jena participated in the workshop.
In the morning, two workshops were organized separately for the doctoral researchers from Germany and China. Besides a theoretical input on the topics of cultural dimensions, cultural stereotypes and academic cultures the participants were offered an opportunity for exchange and discussion. Thereby the young researchers did not only gain a better insight into the others’ culture, but were also encouraged to reflect upon their own culture and to view it from a different angle.
During the joint afternoon workshop, the focus lay on team building and to better get to know all participants. Under the guidance of the two female instructors, Ms. Franziska Plümmer, of Sinology/Chinese studies at the University of Tübingen, and Ms. Vera Yu, intercultural trainer, Berlin, the doctoral researchers had to solve different questions in small mixed German-Chinese groups. In a playful manner the participants learnt methods on how to leapfrog language and cultural barriers and to jointly find solutions. Moreover, the team spirit of the whole group was strengthened with lots of fun, creativity and dynamics.
