International medical students “StudMedInterCulture”

This project expands the support services available for international students. Unique in Germany, but in line with Hessian integration policy, our project aims to harness the great potential of international medical students. Their successful completion of their studies should generate multiplier effects in medicine, society, and culture.

JLU has set itself the following goals:

• The German language skills of international medical students are promoted through joint learning with German medical students under the guidance of didactically trained tutors in the GAIA-Café (Gemeinsam Aktiv für Interkulturellen Austausch – Working Together for Intercultural Exchange) and through target group and needs-oriented courses of the JLU's International Office (AAA) with a focus on the medical-scientific field, in order to increase study success.
• In the Intercultural Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital of Giessen, international and German students learn together in small groups through direct patient contact about the importance of cultural characteristics and integrate this knowledge into their further medical studies.
• The medical knowledge and skills of international students in the clinical phase of their studies are being utilized in a valuable way by having them act as interpreters during informational consultations for patients with a migration background. Within the project, the legal issues surrounding this deployment are also being addressed in cooperation with the Faculty of Law at JLU.
• International students, together with German students, are offered an introduction to the German legal system, including patient rights derived from the Basic Law, as part of their intercultural competence development. An excursion to the Hadamar Memorial is also included in this program.
• In the long term, the project also aims to achieve a significant improvement in medical-specific information for patients with a migration background and in the practical training of all medical students.
• The project will be scientifically evaluated and monitored throughout its duration by the Institute of Sociology at JLU Giessen. Ultimately, the aim is to sustainably improve the medical care of patients with a migration background by developing intercultural awareness within medical studies.

This is to be achieved through a model project that is not only visible, but also aims to create transferable structures that can be used at other locations.