At the end of last year, six students from the University of Jordan and six students from our department completed two one-week internships in Jordan and Germany.

At the beginning of December, they first completed a practical course in marine physiology at the Marine Science Station in the port city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. The subsequent week of practical training in Berlin focused on cell physiology.

In Jordan, the students were able to gain comprehensive insights into research projects for the protection of stony corals during dives and in the laboratory. The stay was rounded off by excursions to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan, the desert city of Petra and the impressive desert valley of Wadi Rum.

Sophie, a veterinary medicine student at our department, summarizes her impressions in Jordan as follows: “I was particularly impressed by the practical sessions, which took place both above and below water. A personal highlight was the day in the laboratory with Dr. Zeinab Arabeyyat, in which we isolated zooxanthellae – a fascinating method that further increased my enthusiasm for coral research.” In addition to the professional enrichment, the cultural exchange was also a formative part of the internship for her: “The extraordinary openness and hospitality of the local people made a deep impression on me,” the student said back in Berlin.

The cell physiology internship at Freie Universität gave the Jordanian students insights into everyday laboratory work in Germany, including the standard techniques of scientific work at the Institute of Veterinary Physiology.

Osama (Biology student, University of Jordan) emphasized after the exchange week in Berlin: “I was thrilled to experience learning in a completely new environment and to get to know different teaching methods. I was particularly pleased to have the chance to get to know the modern academic environment of Veterinary Medicine and to discover the latest technologies and innovations that are also relevant to my field of study.”

A highlight for all participants was a reception at the Jordanian Embassy in Berlin. The ambassador, H.E. Mr. Fayiz Khouri, and his deputy, Mr. Counselor Khalid Banisalman, were very interested in the impressions, experiences and perspectives of the participants in the first student exchange of its kind between Freie Universität Berlin and the University of Jordan.

Prof. Salah Amasheh, Deputy Managing Director of the Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Coordinator of International Relations, Partnerships, and Foreign Students at the School of Veterinary Medicine, also draws a very positive conclusion: “The project, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), was a complete success, and all parts of the internship were implemented as planned. It was great to see how the expectations of all participants were exceeded by far and how enthusiasm for international scientific exchange was discovered in this important phase of training. We look forward to the next opportunity to offer students such an opportunity.”