Studying can be extremely demanding for students' mental health: their expectations and those of others create pressure, while the precarious housing market and inflation in Germany are additional stressors. The pressure to succeed is usually much higher for international students, as a supportive social environment is often unavailable for them or only to a limited extent. The physical separation from family and friends, often in combination with a culture shock in a foreign country, frequently acts as a catalyst for the development of psychological problems. To address this important topic, a total of 18 current and former beneficiaries came together at the Academy Franz Hitze Haus in Münster from 3 to 6 February under the direction of Dr Anselm Feldmann.
At the beginning of the seminar, Father Professor Thomas Eggensperger, spiritual advisor of the KAAD, gave the participants an introduction to the practice of meditation and thus prepared the group for morning meditations and mindfulness exercises for spiritual support during the four-day event. The scholars then entered into the topic of the seminar via a brainstorming session and first summarised the stressors they recognised as significant for their mental health. In particular, they identified loneliness, uncertainty, cultural challenges and academic pressure. Using the fishbowl method, they then developed ideas for self-help.
KAAD scholar Lisa Maria Wirjantoro, studying intercultural psychology at the University of Osnabrück, continued the programme with a workshop on self-confidence and self-management, addressing the initial topics from the previous brainstorming session. In the following discussion, the participants learned more about other methods and ideas for self-care through dialogue.
Pastor Cornelius Happel from the Catholic Student and University Community (KSHG) Münster presented the wide range of support services offered by the Catholic university communities. In addition to the possibilities for psychosocial counselling, social and financial support services were also discussed. Furthermore, support services outside the KSHG were also presented to the participants. In further dialogue with Pastor Cornelius Happel, the international students spoke openly about the mental challenges they face and thus contributed to a mutually beneficial exchange.
On the third day of the seminar, Anselm Feldmann gave the participants insight into various methods derived from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT emerged from cognitive behavioural therapy and was coined by the American psychologist Stephen C. Hayes. The lecture was supplemented by exercises developed by the clinical psychologist Paul Gilbert. The exercises, which are particularly designed to strengthen self-compassion, can be integrated into everyday routines. They support and nourish the ability of the participants to take action in self-care.
In the afternoon, neurologist and psychiatrist Sister Ruth Rottbeck OSF, who works at the medmissio Institute for Mission Studies, spoke about the relevance of mental health and informed the group about first aid options in mental health emergencies, particularly in the context of trauma experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder. She also drew the participants' attention to the wide range of information material and links to aid organisations in the MEDBOX online library. In the subsequent discussion round, Sr Ruth Rottbeck OSF and Anselm Feldmann were able to answer further questions from the students.
In addition to a visit to the Hall of Peace in Münster's historic town hall and St Paul's Cathedral, the church service organised by Father Thomas together with our scholars was once again a highlight of the seminar.
