A New Aspect of Internationalisation? Specific Challenges and Support Structures for Refugees on Their Way to German Higher Education

Abstract

Education is a crucial topic for asylum seekers and refugees. Many of them have high educational aspirations, and the level of education determines their chances of integration and success in the host country. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German Academic Exchange Service, universities, universities of applied sciences and preparatory colleges started programs to assist refugees and asylum seekers on their way to and through higher education. Based on a system theoretical intersectional perspective, this article works out what first contacts for refugees, members of the international offices and a vice-president of internationalisation at 5 German higher education institutions identify as specific challenges for refugees and asylum seekers on their way to German higher education. Then, it comparatively introduces the support structures those 5 German HEI have implemented. It recommends supporting HEIs financially to help them institutionalise their support-structures and argues towards a framing of refugees as potentially highly performing international students and a positive enrichment of a diverse and international HEI.