Filipino students preparing for an exchange program to Germany learned about the country’s culture, values and daily life during a recent orientation hosted by the Goethe-Institut Philippinen and De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance.
The session, titled German Life and Culture, aimed to promote global citizenship, cultural literacy and interdisciplinary learning for students interested in international relations, language, arts and cultural studies.
Barbara Pauli, the institute’s manager for educational cooperation, introduced the Goethe-Institut, which operates in more than 100 countries. Annalena Urbanczyk from the language department discussed Germany’s weather and offered travel tips for the students’ upcoming visit to Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg.
Speakers also explained Germany’s federal government system, transportation networks, environmental initiatives and regional language variations. They discussed cultural norms such as punctuality and discipline, everyday etiquette, and popular German food.
Students took part in conversations about international cooperation, diversity, sustainability, disability inclusion and scholarship opportunities. The program concluded with an open forum that addressed cost of living and social customs.
Benilde officials, including SDG Dean Gary Ador Dionisio, Consular and Diplomatic Affairs chair Catherine Dee Samaniego, Governance and Public Affairs chair Maricel Fernandez-Carag, and faculty member Josue Raphael Cortez, met with the Goethe-Institut representatives.
The event is part of Benilde’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with international organizations and prepare students for cosmopolitan experiences.
