The international sector of the Studentenwerk München (Munich Student Union) has a long tradition and is recognised as being a vital component of the Student Union. It has maintained a close partnership with the CROUS in Lyon for over 30 years. Student exchanges, employee exchanges, joint development of projects to improve service- and support facilities, as well as cultural projects and courses are some of the corner-stones of their joint efforts. Following in the footsteps of this partnership, the Munich Student Union continually strives to expand its international network:
Partnership Lyon
This partnership with the CROUS of Lyon is the oldest held by the Munich Student Union. In 2006 the two institutions celebrated the 30th anniversary of their cooperation. The celebrations included the photography competition 'Schau mich an! - Regarde moi!' (look at me!).
Partnership Shanghai
The partnership of the Munich Student Union with the Tongji-University has existed since October 23rd, 2000. Most students in Shanghai and Munich have benefitted from this partnership, as there is a regular exchange of the canteen chefs between Shanghai and Munich. In early 2010, a delegation of Munich canteen chefs travelled to Shanghai to cook Bavarian specialities for the students in China. Two years previously, in October 2008, Chinese chefs treated diners in the Leopold Straße canteen to their delights.
Partnership Tunisia
Our youngest partnership, with the Office des Ouvres Universitaires pour le Nord in Tunis, was formed in May 2002 with the intention to extend the close contact between Bavaria and Tunisia to the social and cultural support of students. This complements the previously existing partnership between the TUM (Technical University) and the University of Tunisia II. The cooperation is intended to lead to exchange programs between the two univerities. In August 2006, the Munich Student Union was able to offer a language course in Tunisia, with the cooperation of the Tunisian office. In early 2007, Munich canteen chefs took Bavaria to the Tunisian canteens and the Tunisians brought North African cuisine to Bavaria in July 2007.
Partnership Florence
The partnership between the Munich Student Union and the Florence Student Union has been in existence since 1990. Since then, a tradition of “trinational” theater and music-theater workshops and languages courses has developed between the three student unions in Munich, Florence and Lyon.
Partnership Bragança
The Munich Student Union has maintained a partnership with the Acção Social do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança since 1994. The emphasis of this cooperation is placed upon student exchange. Normally, a group of visitors travels to the partner city once a year. To give as many students as possible the chance to take part in the exchange program, the meetings usually have a particular theme, such as 'agriculture', for example.
Partnership Detroit
Since 2000, a partnership between the Wayne-State-University in Detroit/ Michigan (USA) and the Munich Student Union has existed. The contract is based upon a cooperation between Wayne State University, the German-American Cultural Center in Detroit, the Munich Student Union and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University.
Both institutions want to strengthen the collaboration between the Munich Student Union and the Junior Year in Munich, and to further the German-American friendship.
Partnership Ottawa
Since spring 1997 a partnership with the "Direction Générale des Affaires Etudiantes de l'Université d'Ottawa" has existed. This is still being built up at present.
Partnership Zagreb
A contract of partnership with the Sveuciliste u Zagrebu Studentski Centar u Zagrebu was concluded on the first of May 2000. Our shared aim is European teamwork and the furthering of the friendship between students served by the Zagreb and Munich student unions. Additionally, the founding and running of German and Croatian Student Associations should be supported.