End or Beginning?

You have completed your studies in Germany; your vocational training has come to an end.  It’s time to return home. Now you are an Alumna or an Alumnus.  So, what happens next?  What remains of the time spent in Germany?  Some keep up with pen pals, congratulate each other on birthdays and send New Year greetings.  Once a year you may receive mail from your old university or from one of the other German sponsoring institutions or you subscribe to a newsletter.  Sometimes the connection just fizzles out.  That was that.  Until recently this, or something similar, was the norm for many people who had learned, studied and lived in Germany.  Only recently have some vocational institutions come to realise the huge importance of long-term contact with their former students.

The advantages are obvious.  Many alumni possess valuable knowledge and have many contacts.  For example, they are able to assist with a new beginning or a return to the workplace, they can build up and support networks or assist companies and organisations as on-the-ground competent advisory partners– they are an invaluable source of skills. Not only do Alumni have the necessary expertise, they have also acquired linguistic and intercultural skills during their stay in Germany.

>>> read more