How the International Office connects the world of construction – An interview with Catherine Shultis

Catherine Shultis has been the driving force behind the International Office at the FHNW School of Architecture, Construction and Geomatics since 2014. As coordinator, she organises the international exchange of students and employees. In this interview, she talks about challenges and the benefits of exchange programmes.

I’ve been the international office coordinator since February 2014. There is no typical daily work routine. Rather, over the course of the academic year, there are regular tasks, activities and deadlines (meetings, reportings, administration of exchange paperwork, etc.). The challenge for me is to do the work for the international office in my “free time” from lecturing.

First, contact the international office. Architecture students should contact the Institute of Architecture. Once the details have been worked out (where, how long, for what purpose, etc.), the student or staff member fills in a number of documents and then, away they go!

For me personally, it means I’ll be able to focus on the coordinating part of the position. My hope is that the new assistant will be able to optimize the flow of the exchange administration, i.e., the paperwork. 

The benefits of exchanges for both students and staff (who are often forgotten when we talk about exchanges) are enormous. For students, because they are abroad for an entire semester, the benefits range from experiencing a new language and living in a country with a different culture to studying their subject from an entirely new perspective. 

Staff exchanges though by definition shorter are no less rich. Staff benefit from a closer look at partner institutions, staff and students while improving their intercultural and linguistic skills.  

For more information, students and staff should email the international office at international.habg@fhnw.ch. 

Catherine Shultis has been Coordinator of the International Office at the FHNW School of Architecture, Construction and Geomatics since 2014. She has been teaching English at the FHNW since 2002 and has had extensive international experience.