International Project

44B0843

Bachelor

Others, English

15.0

winter and summer term

1 semester

As part of the international project, students will work on a construction-related project in addition to their stay abroad. This can optionally be carried out as part of an internship in a company or public institution in the construction industry or as part of a study project at a foreign university. Both individual and group work are possible.

The content of the project depends on the task. When selecting the task, the guiding principle is the achievement of the following learning outcomes:

1. Project Management

1.1 Clarifying the assignment and agreeing on objectives

1.2 Project planning

1.3 Project monitoring and control

1.4 Project marketing and information management

1.5 Presentation of project results

1.6 Project documentation

1.7 Reflection on project work

2. Teamwork and Team Development (for group work)

2.1 Fundamentals of teams, teamwork and group dynamics

2.2 Conditional factors and characteristics of team competence

2.3 Team building and team development

2.4 Team roles and team norms

2.5 Efficient communication, problem solving, decision making

2.6 Team reflection

Applying the basic knowledge acquired requires students to have a strong practical orientation. Projects that deal with different international issues in construction practice are particularly suitable for this. Students can apply their knowledge to practical problems and develop solutions for strategic, operational or technical tasks. The complexity of the issues relating to the construction industry also requires a partnership-based, and sometimes team-oriented approach. The way in which team members relate to each other influences content-related cooperation; and in many cases enables such cooperation in the first place. Team development therefore also means developing relationships, which makes it possible to fully utilize the resources within a team. The aim is to create a sustainable relationship in which people can work together in a goal-oriented manner. In this course, students have the opportunity to practically apply their theoretical knowledge of construction engineering in the relevant subfields and to develop solutions for the tasks and problems at hand. Working on a task set by a company or public institution should give students the most practical experience possible with project work in everyday practice. Intercultural competence is becoming increasingly important in view of the growing internationalization and multiculturalization of our living and working environment. The module combines intercultural learning with a concrete project.

1. The aim of the module is for students to go abroad for a period of at least 12 weeks (preferably in the summer semester) to work on a project at a company or public institution. The topic is determined in consultation with the involved company or institution and the module promoter (lecturer). The results of the project are then documented in a project report (according to scientific principles). 

2. If it is not possible to participate in a project at a company or public institution abroad, students can alternatively work on a relevant project at a partner university, either individually or in groups. In such cases, the university project partners will formulate and qualify the project topics (i.e. according to scientific principles).

3. After submitting the project results, students present their findings to the relevant project partners or to the university public.

4. The project work approach and structure must be agreed upon with the project partners.

The total workload for the module is 450 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Placement Report, written or
• Project Report, written

All preceding modules of the Construction Management (dual) study program

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to work on a project in the field of construction in an international context and potentially in an international team. Students have a broader knowledge of different construction cultures and the approach to typical problems in the international context of construction.

Students who have successfully completed this module will be able to communicate in international
teams in English and apply intercultural communication skills in the construction industry.

Students who have successfully completed this module have detailed knowledge of building culture in the international arena and how to engage with this building culture and the corresponding procedures.

Students who have completed this module are able to carry out application-oriented projects and contribute to solving complex tasks as part of a team.

Students are able to design methods and procedures that are suitable for systematically processing and solving selected problems in construction engineering in an international context.

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to communicate in English in international teams and have intercultural communication skills in the construction industry.

Graduates develop a professional self-image that is oriented towards the goals and standards of professional action in construction engineering. In doing so, they justify their own professional actions with theoretical and methodological knowledge and thus find well-founded solutions to practical professional problems.

• Meinen, Heiko

• Ehlers, Michael
• Stewering, Uta
• Hemker, Olaf
• Thieme-Hack, Martin
• Scholle, Niklas
• Meinen, Heiko