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Dr. Lola Bulut (middle) is pleased to support the two international researchers Dr. Keval Prajadhiana (left) and Dr. Moyin Akintunde. Photo: © Aalen University | Saskia Stüven-Kazi

Many things simply work better together - this also applies to research. Collaborating with researchers from other countries is essential for scientific progress. However, the appropriate framework conditions must also be created for this. This is because international researchers often face challenges, be it visa applications, language barriers or finding accommodation. With its “Embrace” project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 500,000 euros, Aalen University provides international research talents with advice and support. “We want to welcome them with open arms,” says project coordinator Dr. Lola Bulut from the International Center at Aalen University.

Arriving in the Ostalb

Dr. Keval Prajadhiana has been living in the Ostalb region for around a month and is working as a postdoctoral researcher in the research group of Prof. Dr. Miranda Fateri at Aalen University. In spring, the mechanical engineering professor was a guest lecturer at Prajadhiana's university in Malaysia, where he completed both his master’s degree and his “doctorate”. “This contact gave rise to the idea of going to Aalen University as a postdoc - a great opportunity for me to work together with many researchers from different disciplines in a very exciting research project,” says the Indonesian-born researcher enthusiastically. However, the journey to Germany with its many bureaucratic requirements was not exactly easy. “Without the great help of the Embrace team, I certainly wouldn't be here now,” says the 30-year-old. “Whether it was applying for a visa, opening a bank account or looking for an apartment: I would have been really lost without support.” The cultural activities and meetings with other doctoral students and post-docs also helped him to settle in on the Ostalb region.

Fast solutions

“With Embrace, we want to create an environment in which international researchers can flourish,” emphasizes project coordinator Dr. Lola Bulut. After all, researchers are not just in the lab to work on scientific studies, they “also want to make contacts, make friends and socialize”. Some live in partnerships or come here with their families. “Recently, for example, a researcher with a small child approached us. She had been waiting for a conversation with the nursery teacher for some time. When she suddenly received this at very short notice with the request to bring an interpreter, she was quite desperate. We then organized help within three hours so that the appointment worked out after all,” says Bulut happily. The aim is to find quick solutions to a wide variety of questions.

Open environment

Embrace should not remain an internal project of Aalen University but should also have an impact on the city and region. The plan is to work closely with the city of Aalen and local stakeholders to promote the integration of international researchers into the city's society. “This also includes an open and inclusive environment in which everyone feels welcome and valued,” emphasizes Bulut. To really arrive and feel integrated, language courses alone are not enough, everyday encounters are needed. “We also wanted to mobilize the people of Aalen. That's a great opportunity for intercultural exchange. After all, integration is not a one-way street,” says the 47-year-old and laughs. Bulut knows what it means to pack up your life and culture and move somewhere else. Born in Uzbekistan, she studied English and Turkish at the Uzbekistan State World Languages University in Tashkent before moving with her husband to his native Turkey. She initially worked there as an English teacher and taught at Gaziantep University after completing her doctorate. The family moved to Germany in 2016 for professional reasons. For the Embrace coordinator and her team Rose Francis-Binder and Miriam Kollmer-Trianni, the integration of international students, researchers and specialists is a matter close to their hearts. Together, they regularly organize events such as intercultural workshops, networking events and the new event series “My way to Aalen”, which tells the personal stories of the researchers.

“Absolutely lifesaving”

Dr. Moyin Akintunde has also made her way to Aalen. The scientist and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation scholarship holder came from Nigeria a year ago and is working as a postdoctoral researcher in the Polymer Technology department with Prof. Dr. Iman Taha. She met Aalen University through an online fair. There she met Pascal Cromm, the head of the International Relations Office. “He drew my attention to the university's website, and I came across an interview with Prof. Dr. Taha about sustainable plastics, which immediately sparked my interest,” says the young researcher. The fact that there is support like Embrace is “absolutely lifesaving”, says Akintunde and laughs heartily. The 33-year-old adds gratefully: “Every time there has been a problem, the Embrace team has helped. They are always there for us to talk to. We can really count ourselves very lucky.” And she now also feels at home. “It's a really nice community with the other researchers.”