What tasks will you take on as a project member for International Mentoring and Admission at the Department?

My main task will be to develop a tailor-made mentoring programme for the many new international Master's students at the Department and to organise their introductory phase in the best possible way. This will involve setting up a step-by-step induction programme that is linked to the admissions process.The aim of this programme is not only to welcome international Master's students to the Department, but also to provide them with important international (study) skills. In addition to this, the admissions processes for international Master's students are being further developed in collaboration with Dr Linda Frey in order to optimally coordinate admissions and onboarding and organise them in the most user-friendly way possible for all parties.

What experience do you bring from previous positions?

I studied Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering. As a graduate engineer, I have a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to new tasks and challenges. One of these challenges is the significant increase in the number of international student applications in recent years. I would like to further optimise their processing from a process management perspective and specifically link them to upstream processes such as study orientation and downstream processes such as the onboarding of newly enrolled students.

On the other hand, I have been working in student administration and advising at TU Darmstadt since 2011, including as a study and international coordinator. My many years of experience with both the administrative side of the admissions process and the specific concerns of international students enable me to identify perspectives for their further development based on existing processes and to implement them in cooperation with the various departments at TU Darmstadt.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I'm really looking forward to welcoming the new Masters students from all over the world to the department and supporting them during their first semester here! I myself spent a semester abroad in Thailand during my undergraduate studies, so I know both the excitement and the challenges that come with moving to a different (study) culture. One of my tasks is to further develop the existing system of active guidance and support in overcoming these challenges – so that the enthusiasm can be carried over into everyday student life.

What are some of your more specific goals and projects for the coming year?

My main focus is to develop the induction and mentoring programme for international Masters students. This project will be implemented in parallel and in close coordination with the further development of the admissions process for international students, which Dr Linda Frey has started.

The questions were asked by Anne Grauenhorst.