When students from Dortmund, Denver and Belgium discuss globalization together, new perspectives and concrete research questions arise. The Spring School at Fachhochschule Dortmund combined theory, practice and international exchange.
What is the relationship between globalization and migration, sport, society and culture? Students at Fachhochschule Dortmund are looking for answers - in a seminar that brings people from different countries together. A good 30 participants from the Applied Social Sciences at Fachhochschule Dortmund, Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Denver (USA) and Odisee University of Applied Sciences in Brussels (Belgium) have now met for the Spring School on the Emil-Figge-Straße campus.
The Spring School is part of an English-language seminar by Prof. Dr. Jochem Kotthaus, which not only deals with globalization in theory, but also makes it a tangible experience. International perspectives are essential and are also desired by the students. "There is a great need for international exchange," says Prof. Kotthaus. This is why, in addition to the Fall School's long-established international format, the Spring School has now been offered for the first time from April 13 to 18. "International seminars offer students the opportunity to get to know perspectives beyond their own point of view and to sharpen scientific questions in an international environment," adds Prof. Kotthaus. At the same time, they promote the ability to "work on complex topics together and make productive use of differences".
Insights into local social realities
The Spring School 2026 focused on fundamental concepts of globalization and current debates. Prof. Kotthaus was supported by Prof. Nick Recker, Professor of Sociology and Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at MSU, and Madeha Sunzeri, Professor of Social Work at MSU. In addition to theory, the students went on excursions to projects in Dortmund's Nordstadt district and to Cologne. This gave them concrete insights into social realities on the ground.
At the same time, they discussed how global developments become visible in different areas of life. Together with the lecturers, they developed research questions for their subsequent seminar paper. "The exchange with other students provides important input and new food for thought," said one participant. The dialog will not end with the departure of the guests from the USA and Belgium, but will continue digitally.
In November this year, the next major internationalization project of the Faculty of Applied Social Studies will take place with the Fall School on the topic of family, then also with Australian participation. The Spring School series is to be continued in 2027; whether in Dortmund or Denver has yet to be decided.
Spring School 2026 is part of "USA@250", the City of Dortmund's anniversary program for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. With the network of around 40 partners, the city of Dortmund is setting an example for transatlantic friendship in the anniversary year. Under the title "Experiment Democracy", the program comprises more than 80 events, including concerts, exhibitions and specialist debates.