The German newspaper Badische Neueste Nachrichten (BNN), published in the city of Karlsruhe, shed light on the experience of students from the German Jordanian University (GJU) during their studies and practical training in Germany. The feature article, published in November 2025 under the title “Mit Mut in einen anderen Kulturkreis” (With Courage into a Different Culture), highlighted GJU’s leading role in preparing its students academically and professionally to integrate into diverse educational and cultural environments.

The report referred to the efforts of lecturer Friederike Haumann, who has supported GJU students in Amman for many years as they prepare for their mandatory study and internship year in Germany. This year includes one academic semester and a six-month practical internship in German institutions and companies.

The newspaper also highlighted the strong academic partnerships between GJU and several higher education institutions in Karlsruhe, including the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hochschule Karlsruhe – University of Applied Sciences, and the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg), in addition to partnerships with regional companies such as the software developer Prondis in Ettlingen and the logistics company Hegelmann Express in Bruchsal.

According to the report, students face real competition in the open internship market, as they apply independently for placements and arrange their accommodation on their own. While many students begin this phase with B1-level proficiency in the German language, this poses additional challenges for both students and companies that do not operate in English-speaking environments. Nevertheless, the newspaper emphasized that this experience significantly enhances students’ professional and intercultural skills and strengthens their readiness for the international labor market.

The report noted that approximately 20% of GJU graduates return to Germany for employment after graduation, while the majority enter the Jordanian labor market, reflecting the positive impact of GJU’s applied education model at both the local and international levels.

The newspaper also provided background on the German Jordanian University, which was founded in 2005 following the model of German universities of applied sciences and currently offers more than twenty academic majors, with a strong focus on engineering and business. The mandatory year in Germany remains a core element of the university’s academic identity.

In light of the continuous growth in student numbers, the report underscored the importance of expanding partnerships with German universities and companies to secure additional study and internship opportunities. It expressed hopes for further strengthening cooperation, particularly in the Karlsruhe and North Baden regions, enabling more companies to benefit from the growing number of highly qualified and motivated GJU students.

 

To read the report in the newspaper, click here