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Studying or doing an internship abroad is increasingly becoming an option for disabled and chronically ill students. Oldenburg students have also successfully completed parts of their studies abroad and advise: "Despite the high effort involved, I would do it again."
In the run-up to studying abroad, disabled students usually have to overcome many obstacles and hurdles - often enough of a bureaucratic nature. The organisational effort in the run-up is very high overall. And disabled students repeatedly have very different experiences abroad.
There are reports that the conditions for certain types of disability are better at foreign universities than in Germany. Blind business student Jochen Dreher, for example, went to the USA for a year and realised: "It was overwhelming how much help there was for disabled people here. First of all, I received orientation training from the third day onwards, which really helped me to become independent. I should also mention the reading services, test assistance and teaching assistance. Looking back, I have to say that this year was worthwhile in every respect. I also realised how much more attention is paid to the needs of disabled people in America." This experience encouraged him so much that he decided to follow up his studies in Oldenburg with a Master's programme in Australia. On the initiative of the Information and Advice Centre for Studies and Disability of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW), he has written a comprehensive report (180 KB pdf) about his preparations and his stay, which can be made available here with the kind permission of the DSW.
Oldenburg student Paul Ecker spent a semester in Canada in 2018. He uses a wheelchair due to a mobility impairment. In his experience report (398 KB pdf) , he discusses various aspects: from special features of the flight to support services offered by the university and the difficulties of finding an assistant.
in 2016, Lukas Heuer, also a student at the University of Oldenburg, spent a semester in Argentina. In his report, he describes his successful stay there; he has a physical disability.
But despite the best preparation, problems and mishaps often occur abroad. "When we arrived, the hotel "Le petit paradis", which was advertised as wheelchair accessible, turned out to be too 'petit' to get into the lift or the toilet with a wheelchair," reports wheelchair user Ingo Nienaber, who completed part of his computer science degree in Malta. "I also now know that Paradise is equipped with stairs in the entrance area."
In addition, the responsible institutions in the host countries are often overwhelmed by the specific issues of disabled students, such as the organisation of care, mobility and wheelchair-accessible accommodation and regulations for the export and import of guide dogs and cars adapted for the disabled.
"Recommended despite the effort involved"
Despite these high requirements, students with experience abroad do not advise against studying abroad, but rather want to encourage people to undertake this still rarely realised project: "Looking back, there were some difficulties that had to be overcome, but what I appreciate even more is the experience of a different life, from shopping to studying at university and, last but not least, the way people interact with each other. I would do it again and again, despite the difficulties it caused me, and can only warmly recommend studying abroad in general and in Malta in particular to anyone," advises Ingo Nienaber.
The Disability Counselling Service can also put you in touch with other disabled and chronically ill students with experience of studying abroad.
Further information
There are regular information events at the individual university locations on the subject of studying abroad with special needs.
We also recommend theDAAD website on mobility with disabilities/illness and the special funding for students with disabilities through Erasmus+. In any case, these grants are not counted as income for BAföG abroad.
New: DAAD: Opportunities.digital: Scholarships for a digital Master's programme
This programme offers people in particular who are unable or unwilling to participate in physical mobility abroad for health or family reasons the opportunity to obtain a Master's degree in a fully digital or blended learning programme from Germany at a university abroad and gain international study experience. You can pursue your individual study interests. Applications are open to students and graduates of all academic disciplines who wish to obtain a first Master's degree. The DAAD has summarised information on application requirements and procedures, including application deadlines.
There is also special information and brochures on studying abroad. A checklist in various national languages is very helpful, for example, which can be used to enquire about the special conditions at the host universities. In addition, there are specific information sheets on some countries, a brochure on opportunities at European universities and further literature references, which can also be obtained from Wiebke Hendeß.
Comprehensive advice and information on studying abroad can be obtained from the International Office (IO) of the university (a very good compilation), the International Office of Jade University and the International Office of Emden/Leer University.
The tips from the German Student Union and the Handbook on Studying and Disability (Chapter X Studying abroad) are also very helpful .
Information on the accessibility of university buildings and services for students with disabilities throughout the EU can be found on the Inclusivemobility.eu website.
Carlo-Schmid Programme: Applicants with disabilities wanted for internships in international and EU organisations
In the international field of work, better career and promotion opportunities are to be created for people from previously underrepresented groups - including people with disabilities (see above). With its scholarship programme, the Carlo-Schmid Programme gives students the opportunity to do an internship at international organisations, EU institutions or selected NGOs. Participants also benefit from the alumni network with over 700 members. For many graduates, it is a springboard into national and international organisations such as the EU, UN or federal ministries, but also into private-sector companies and NGOs. Students with disabilities are expressly encouraged to participate. Applicants will be supported in the application process as part of a mentoring programme. More information can be found here.
You can also find information on internships abroad with disabilities and a work and travel report by a disabled student here.
Conference documentation: "Increase student mobility abroad! Social diversity and teacher training programmes as a challenge and an opportunity"
This was the topic of a conference organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which took place in Essen on 19 and 20 June 2017. Students and university staff discussed how the international mobility of students who are less mobile abroad than their fellow students due to certain hurdles and difficulties can be increased.
You can quickly and clearly inform yourself about the conference and its most important results by following this link. The presentation in pageflow format gives an impression of the lively atmosphere in which the meetings and discussions took place. Four sections each focussed on a group with specific barriers to mobility: First-time graduates, students with disabilities, students with children and students on teacher training programmes. In an intensive dialogue, those affected had their say and reported on the difficulties that stand in the way of a stay abroad. On the basis of this analysis, recommendations were formulated for universities, the DAAD and political decision-makers that could help to facilitate stays abroad.