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Following the presentations, Iranian researchers served delicacies from their homeland. Photo: © Aalen University of Applied Sciences | Lola Bulut

At the OPEN CAMPUS of Aalen University of Applied Sciences on May 24, the International Center welcomed guests from near and far under the motto “Dorothy’s Journey: Stories and Flavors that Connect Worlds.” Visitors sampled Iranian specialties, enjoyed South African Chakalaka, and engaged in lively conversations—the cheerful atmosphere was almost tangible.

Yet what appeared at first glance to be simply a colorful day of encounters also highlighted something more profound: the key role of Embrace. This project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) as part of the HAW.International program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), has become an essential pillar in supporting international researchers at Aalen University.

Attracting the brightest minds from around the world requires more than laboratory space and research projects. Aalen University of Applied Sciences is acutely aware of this. For years, the university has consistently ranked among the top institutions in applied research at both the state and national level. Equally important, however, is its outstanding commitment to integration, orientation, and social participation. These elements are crucial in determining whether international researchers not only feel at home at a university but also choose to remain for the long term.

This is precisely where the Embrace team, based at the university’s International Center, comes into play. As a dedicated service center for international researchers, it supports scholars from across the globe in settling into life in Aalen—whether through personal guidance during arrival and administrative procedures, through networking initiatives, or through accessible exchange formats such as those showcased during OPEN CAMPUS.

“It’s not only about being able to conduct research here. It’s also about feeling welcome,” as one participant of the event aptly put it. Researchers from countries such as Iran, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Indonesia not only introduced their home cultures at OPEN CAMPUS but also presented their academic work—underscoring that international research does more than provide new perspectives: it also strengthens the region’s innovative capacity and openness to the world.

The fact that visiting scholars from an Israeli partner university shared a meal and lively discussions with researchers from Iran—not in spite of, but precisely because of their personal backgrounds—illustrates how Embrace fosters genuine encounters on equal footing and builds bridges where divisions might otherwise exist.

Feedback from international researchers is unequivocal: initiatives like these give them a sense of belonging—both professionally and personally. They enhance motivation, encourage scholars to remain, and represent an invaluable asset in the global competition for academic talent. As the international researchers expressed unanimously: “The event strengthened our sense of belonging and gave us the opportunity to experience intercultural exchange with people from the city and the region, to get to know one another, and to learn to appreciate each other.”

The impact of Embrace extends well beyond events such as OPEN CAMPUS. Through close collaboration with local groups, targeted integration initiatives, and a clear commitment not only to attract international researchers to Aalen but also to encourage them to stay, the project has achieved lasting results.

Its success has already gained recognition at both the national and international level. In May, the project team from Aalen University was invited by the DAAD to lead a workshop at the HAW.International annual conference in Dortmund, showcasing effective strategies for connecting diverse cultures and communities. Shortly thereafter, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD)—the Austrian counterpart to the DAAD—extended a similar invitation. At the annual conference of Austria’s national member association of the European research network Euraxess, of which Aalen University is also a member, the Embrace team was asked to share its best practices with Austrian colleagues.

The services provided by Embrace are a vital strategic necessity in times of skilled labor shortages—affecting not only industry but also the academic world. Embrace demonstrates that successful internationalization is not reflected solely in research publications, but above all in human encounters—in conversation, in sharing a meal, and in fostering mutual understanding. Incidentally, the English word “Embrace” means “to embrace” or “to welcome with open arms.”

Further information is available at: Embrace.