Bridges in Cross-Border Social Work

The Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin (EHB) has been implementing the Project BRIDGES since January 2025 within the framework of the DAAD program UAS.International. This three-year project is the second major initiative in the field of International at EHB that is funded through this program. The goal of BRIDGES is to establish an international focus area within the Bachelor’s program in Social Work, making EHB an attractive place of study for students preparing for an increasingly globalized job market.

The project “BRIDGES – Bridges in Cross-Border Social Work” at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin (EHB) aims to strengthen international cooperation and create an innovative study offering in the field of social work. In collaboration with strategic partner universities from the Netherlands, Ghana, Turkey, and Vietnam, the focus area “Cross-Border Social Work” is being developed and firmly embedded in the curriculum of the BA Social Work program. This forward-looking offering provides students with a unique opportunity to gain global perspectives and acquire intercultural competencies.

At the core of the project is the close collaboration with international partners to optimally prepare students for the challenges of international social work. From the very first semester, international topics and digital teaching formats are integrated into everyday studies. Starting in the fourth semester, students deepen their knowledge through mandatory internships or study periods abroad. The program is further complemented by language courses, workshops on inter- and transculturality, and a comprehensive support package. At the same time, teachers and staff at EHB receive further training in language and intercultural competence.

BRIDGES builds on the successes of the predecessor project StrInGEnt and makes a significant contribution to implementing EHB’s internationalization strategy. By sustainably embedding the focus area in the curriculum, the project strengthens the international orientation of the university. This not only improves the quality of education and career prospects for students but also further expands the intercultural exchange and global networking of EHB.

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