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Prof. Dr. Christina Ravens, Iana Klein and Rector Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel at the presentation of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) award for outstanding achievements by international students. Photo: © Aalen University | Anton Kantsemal

An enrichment for the entire university - this is how you could describe each of the three students who were honored at an award ceremony this week. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) prize of 1000 euros for outstanding achievements by international students was awarded this year to Iana Klein from Russia, a student of the International Marketing and Sales Master's degree program. Klein was nominated for this prestigious award by the Dean of Studies, Prof. Dr. Christina Ravens: “In addition to her academic achievements and intellectual strength, Iana Klein impresses with her inspiring personal journey and her tireless social commitment. I could not find a more worthy candidate for this award,” Ravens emphasized in her festive and very personal speech. Klein left her successful professional career behind three years ago and came to Germany with her family of four as part of the Jewish immigration program. At the time, she only had a limited knowledge of German and English. She now speaks both languages fluently. When asked how she was able to achieve such excellent results in such a short time with two small children and under difficult circumstances, Klein replied simply: “If you have a dream, you must pursue it. My dream was to study International Marketing and Sales in the form that I only found at Aalen University. That's why I'm here.” After Klein received the award certificate from the hands of Rector Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel, in her acceptance speech she praised not only the general support offered at the university, but the excellent German lessons and the mentoring program offered by the International Center in cooperation with companies for international students. Klein's mentor, Sarah Haake-Schäfer, Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Affairs at Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH, proudly watched her “mentee” receive the award.

On the same evening, two prizes worth 500 euros were also awarded by the non-profit organization International Society Aalen. The Buddy of the Year 2024 award went to Seher Yavuz, a student of International Sales Management and Technology. Prof. Anja Dieckmann, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Chair of the association, honored Yavuz in an appreciative speech and emphasized her extraordinary commitment, her helpfulness and her open and uncomplicated manner. Yavuz currently supervises four foreign students from South Africa, Indonesia and South Korea, who were also in the audience and applauded the prize winner.

Annika Gimpel, student of Business Psychology, won the “Study Abroad: Experience and Share 2024” award. She was one of the first students at Aalen University to complete her semester abroad at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town. During her stay in South Africa and after her return, Gimpel motivated other students, especially via social media, to spend a semester abroad and supported them with many tips on how to prepare. “From 2022 to early 2024, Gimpel coordinated a series of Instagram posts and stories involving all the students on her degree program who were abroad. She independently developed a structure and created the design,” said Prof. Dr. Anja Dieckmann in her laudatory speech, summarizing Gimpel's contribution to the internationalization of her degree program.

Rosemarie Francis-Binder from the International Center hosted the award ceremony in an entertaining manner. The now traditional celebration of the International Center, which focuses on committed and creative students, ended with a snack and inspiring conversations among the numerous guests in the WIN foyer.