“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who made Start@HSRM possible. Your dedication, passion, and belief in the power of education have been the foundation of our success,” said Prof. Dr. Andreas Brensing, Vice-President for Research, Entrepreneurship and Science Communication at the program's graduation ceremony. Head of Student Services and International Affairs, Birgit Klose, reflected on the beginnings of the program. It was a joint initiative of the International Office and the Language Hub of the TeachingLearningCenter, funded by the DAAD and the state of Hesse.
Breaking down barriers and facilitating study access
The program welcomed a total of 535 participants over the past ten years. It included over 58 language courses and a wide range of supporting offers such as the auditing students program, application training, presentation technique workshops and the buddy program. Since completing the program, many of the participants have started studying, training or working.
For example, Mohamad Daoud Agha. The Start@HSRM graduate is currently studying Electrical and Aeronautical Engineering at HSRM's Faculty of Engineering. He appreciated the opportunity to experience everyday university life, make friends, and connect with some of the teaching staff as an auditing student. During his studies, he worked in the International Office and shared his Start@HSRM experiences with others.
“Our university values cultural openness and embraces diversity.”
“These success stories are a powerful source of motivation and a validation of our efforts for all of us,” says Prof. Dr. Brensing. “Our university values cultural openness and diversity. The diversity of our university members is one of our most important resources – in research, teaching and collaborating.”
Hochschule RheinMain is deeply concerned about political movements in Germany and worldwide that seek to incite fear through anti-migration and anti-diversity rhetoric. “HSRM is pushing back. In the current political climate, it is especially important to maintain and expand support for refugees and international students – particularly language programs.”
New preparation programs
Two new preparation programs funded by the European Social Fund will launch in winter semester 2025/26:
- Prepare@HSRM is the successor of Start@HSRM. It is open to all international students with a direct higher education entrance qualification (HZB) and requires a fee. Each course offers ten scholarship places for refugees.
- PreStudyING@HSRM targets prospective engineering students with higher education entrance qualifications that do not allow direct admission, offering an alternative to the Studienkolleg (preparatory course). Each course in this program reserves three tuition-free places for refugees.
The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Language Support as a Key to Participation and Academic Success,” with Start@HSRM graduates and participants, moderated by Bettina Rauschmayr-Immers from the International Office and Dr. Olja Larrew from HSRM’s Language Hub at the TeachingLearningCenter. Additionally, the exhibition “Me – Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow,” created by program participants, was on display. Guests enjoyed live music and had the opportunity to connect and share ideas over drinks.