Education For All! Strategies For More Diversity & Equality

Inequality and discrimination against minority students exists in various forms. It occurs, for example, when universities do not provide disabled students with the needed special facilities, or when there are language barriers that hinder foreigners from taking part in a certain study program. When it comes to homophobia and how young adults treat their fellow gay or transgender students it can be stated that higher education institutions Germany still have to develop much further until establishing gender equality. For there is still a negative attitude towards such minority groups at universities. For ages, religion and traditional values have been playing a significant role for the mindset of young adults for ages in this regard. However, student communities have formed that aim to find solutions to this problem by organizing various discussions and debates on the topic. Universities, on the other hand, still have not implemented major changes to the education environment in order to make it more appropriate for such minorities.

All of this results in the detachment of minorities from the higher education institutions in the country.

Germany has been working for years in order to improve the life of minority groups. In 2009 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed introducing some changes into the German education system (renewed facilities, improved study curriculums, new student organizations and a number of additional administrative services). This has contributed a lot to improving the life of foreign and disabled students. However, there are some things remaining that continue not to serve well those minorities. Following are some of those negative aspects which still hinder the development of an altogether positive environment at higher education institutions in the Federal Republic.

Segregated Classrooms

In some parts of the Federal Republic there are separate classes for native-born Germans and for foreigners. The reason for the separation is considered to be the difference between German-language skills of natives and those of foreign students. According to experts, this has a number of negative consequences, including hostility and detachment of students, as well as less communication and team work. What could be done in such situations is to the provision of additional courses in order for foreign students to broaden their knowledge of the language. This is how they would be able to attend the classes of other students and maintain a more friendly community. In addition, there is another way to cope with the problem, namely to create more classes in other popular languages apart from German and English. A change like this will require new teachers to be hired and will cause some transformations of the study programs, but it will also serve as a great benefit for many who feel discriminated. Supporting that statement is the fact that a great percentage of today’s students in Germany are coming from abroad and therefore speak numerous different languages (Turkish, Polish, Russian, Arabic and more).

Lack Of Tolerance Preparation At Schools

Another disadvantage is the fact that sometimes the environment at high schools does not sufficiently prepare them to be more tolerant. This also causes a negative attitude towards students who are considered different. Actually people often underestimate the importance of the foundation that a school’s environment establishes in pupils’ minds. By teaching them to be more open-minded from an early age they will get used to accepting their fellow students and will contribute to establishing a better university environment in the future.

Hard To Find Affordable Accommodation

Moreover, foreign students often struggle with finding affordable accommodation, since universities inform them of their acceptance only one to two months prior the start of the semester. Thus they do not have enough time to research and find nice and affordable housing. It becomes even harder with time when almost every opportunity of accommodation is already taken by locals. In such cases German universities should adopt new strategies for expanding the housing options for foreigners.

Having described some of the obstacles minority students face on their way to successful graduation, it is time to mention all the good aspects of German education, which aim to support young adults of foreign origin and those with special needs. Following are some of the best examples of the successful efforts made by universities to facilitate the life of minorities.

No tuition fees

One of the greatest advantages minority students at German public universities have is that there are no tuition fees. That eliminates a significant burden and makes it easier for students of lower social strata to study, save more money and afford a proper accommodation. However, they should always manage their finances responsibly and plan their monthly payments in advance. It is also important to make a notice that in case a student still remains incapable of covering their living costs in the bigger city, it is probably best for them to move to a smaller one. In fact towns that are not that big help foreign students better adapt to the environment and quickly find new friends. Moreover, universities there offer a community that is more cohesive in comparison with that of higher education institutions in metropolitan cities.

Buddy System For Foreign Students

When it comes to meeting with locals and adapting to the youth community in the region, young foreigners can also rely on local students who participate in organizations that help those coming from abroad. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) has a “Buddy System” that gives foreigners the opportunity to receive guidance from a local student who is willing to share their experience with them and show them around the new city. This is a great strategy that helps international students feel more integrated. It also contributes to the development of the young multicultural society of the country.

More Diverse Courses In English

Even though there is a need of courses in languages other than German and English, it is true that there is still a significant part of foreigners in the Federal Republic that relies exactly on their English knowledge in order to participate in their dream course. That fact supports the introduction of more and more English programs. Since there are many different courses for foreign students to choose from, special guiding can be received from every university’s International Student Office. Statistics show that the most popular courses among foreigners are in the fields of Mathematics, Engineering and Health Sciences[1].

Special Facilities & Additional Help For Disabled Students

An increasing number of German universities are building new facilities for students with special needs and establishing various youth communities that help disabled young adults. What such students should do in advance is inform the university representatives about their special needs. Help can be provided in terms of accommodation, accessibility, rearrangement of the study program and academic adjustments. One can also always turn to the “Deutsches Studentenwerk” – a well-established network of non-profitable organizations that provides help and support when it comes to student matters. This network aims to identify and solve the most common student problems. It is divided into different smaller groups, each responsible for a number of universities in a particular area.

Furthermore, in 2009 the German Rectors’ Conference introduced the request “Higher education for all” that stands for non-discrimination and equal treatment of disabled students. It also applies to foreigners who are able to attend lectures on the same terms as any other young adult. There is as yet another great example of the development of the education field. It is the introduction of various e-learning courses that give disabled students the opportunity not to be physically present at lectures if they are not able to. Such courses promote remote learning and represent one of the innovative strategies of universities these days.

Also, another two positive aspects of disabled students’ education should be mentioned: the first one is that higher education institutions provide scholarships for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The other positive aspect is that after clarifying if there are any special needs, disabled students’ application for a room in the student dormitory is considered first priority. Thus they have a bigger chance to succeed in getting a room.

A great example of a higher education institution that stands for equal opportunities of students is Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences*[2]. It fights discrimination at universities and applies a range of strategies to help minorities. The social responsibility is on focus there, as well as the chances for success of every student without any prejudice. More than a half of the students at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences are foreigners and that is also one of the reasons why this institution seeks total equality. Its values are supported by four main strategic guidelines: ‘internationality and cultural diversity’, ‘institution of life-long-learning’, ‘innovative, open admissions and holistic understanding of education’ and ‘development partnerships’. With its location in Frankfurt (one of the most multicultural cities in Germany), the university represents students from many different nations. Because of this it strongly promotes diversity and special initiatives, such as the diversity strategy ‘Opportunities through Education’, that contribute to the positive student environment. Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences is an amazing example of a university that takes into account the fact that many of its students speak different languages. This is related to its program “Languages of Origin”, in which many foreigners who speak Persian, Russian, Arabic, Polish, or Turkish participate. In addition, there is a special initiative called ‘Welcome Year for Refugees‘ which offers refugees to start an intensive degree course and if their studies were interrupted in their country of origin they can also continue the same or similar course.

Moreover, the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences offers language courses for foreigners that help them improve their speaking and writing skills. By attending lectures, they expand their knowledge of the German culture and history. With its focus on diversity, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences aims to become a model of modern higher education institutions that support student equality.

It is no secret that sometimes higher education institutions are underestimated due to their location. Those located in Germany’s peripheral areas often suffer discrimination, as many consider them to be at the bottom of the list of quality university education. A fact worth mentioning is that such universities are often not in the central scope of the State. That means they do not usually receive the proper funding and are rarely renovated. Moreover, there is a lack of new facilities and a more innovative environment.

However, there are some amazing examples of very successful universities that are not located in the most popular areas of the country. A great example is the Jacobs University*[3] in Bremen. It is one of the smallest universities in Germany. However, this does not impede its progress. What is more, the Jacobs University is a center for international students, as many foreigners opt for it because of its close-knit student environment. Students from more than 110 countries are enrolled in its courses in the fields of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Engineering*[4]. Hundreds of students graduate from Jacobs University every year and become successful professionals. This proves that it is not that important for a higher education institution to be located in a popular city, but it is the community cohesion and the mutual progress that lead everyone forward.