Her visit centred on initiating cooperation for future internships abroad for nursing students at OTH Regensburg in Belgium. The aim is to provide students with international insights into nursing practice - particularly with regard to international nursing standards, interdisciplinary collaboration and culturally sensitive care in teams from nursing, medicine and therapy.
One potential partner is the Hogeschool VIVES Zuid in Kortrijk, which is already part of the European ARTEMIS project. This promotes European cooperation and the mobility of students in the healthcare sector. "As academic nursing training is not yet fully established in Germany, it is all the more important that our students can take part in international professional exchange. This also includes experiencing other cultures and languages," emphasises Prof. Dr Thieme. The great interest shown by Belgian colleagues in a bilateral exchange programme is particularly pleasing. The start of such cooperation is planned for the winter semester 2026/27 - subject to the contractual framework conditions.
At the same time, Prof Dr Thieme took the opportunity to talk to representatives from Belgium and Finland about possible international projects in the field of occupational therapy. The new part-time Bachelor's degree programme in Evidence Based Practice Occupational Therapy at OTH Regensburg will start in the winter semester 2025/26.
‘Although internships abroad are currently still difficult to gain credit for in higher education nursing training, they are invaluable for professional and culturally sensitive care,’ says Prof Dr Thieme.
