Join the Summer School!
Transatlantic Summer School: Everything you need to know and how to apply.
Are you passionate about creating a more sustainable future?
We are now accepting applications for the Summer School. Read below to find out what you need to know and download the application forms.
Apply Now!
Become a Part of an International Team in Summer 2026!
We are excited to invite students from all disciplines to apply to be a part of the Transatlantic Summer School on Sustainability in Detroit. This year, Wayne State University is hosting the event, which will take place both online (mid-May to June) and in-person (1–14 August) at Wayne State's beautiful Detroit campus. It also gives participants a chance to work with excellent partners from the Detroit area and will feature several fun excursions to the vibrant metropolitan area of downtown Detroit.
Hands-on Learning and Global Collaboration
Students selected to participate in the international Transatlantic Summer School on Sustainability 2026 will work together in small project groups on sustainability projects provided by local community partners in the USA. During the online preparatory phase and the two weeks on site in Detroit, participants will collaborate together to tackle these projects, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.
Due to the collaborative teaching efforts of the faculty and staff from the participating universities in the USA (Wayne State University and Iowa State University) and Germany (HRW and Hochschule Harz), as well as the diversity of the students' interdisciplinary backgrounds, everyone involved is guaranteed to gain new perspectives on the task at hand. This will undoubtedly lead to exciting and valuable learning experiences.
Students who participate will develop a wide range of essential skills in:
- Project-based learning and problem-solving
- English language fluency and communication
- Intercultural community and teamwork
- Global perspectives and understanding
- Community engagement and partnership-building
Details About the Summer School
Detroit (USA) is the perfect laboratory for this year's focus on sustainability innovation in an evolving urban setting. In cooperation with outstanding partners of Wayne State University from the local Detroit region, including the Metropolitan Museum of Design and several others that will soon be announced, you'll have the chance to engage with local organizations and community partners working in the Detroit area on initiatives such as:
- Urban agriculture and community gardens
- Renewable energy and green infrastructure
- Sustainable transportation and mobility
- Neighbourhood revitalization and
community development - Environmental justice and equity
Throughout the summer school, each project team will be accompanied by two lecturers from the participating universities, who will provide expert input and guidance. Those students joining from the Hochschule Ruhr West may apply to receive credits points towards their studies (Wahlmodul, 6 ECTS) except for those in Bau- and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen-Bau studies.
In addition to this, all participants can expect:
- Hands-on experiences with community partners and local organizations
- Collaborative project-work with international team members
- Expert lectures and workshops on sustainability topics
- Guided tours and site visits in the Detroit area
- Authentic intercultural exchanges in a supportive academic atmosphere
The summer school begins with an online phase from May to mid-June 2026. During this phase, students will choose and get to know their project, carry out initial research, and draw up a plan for the concrete work on the project in the second phase. They will also receive expert input in joint online sessions in this first phase on topics such as sustainability, intercultural issues and project management.
The on-site phase of the program will take place from 01. August – 14. August at Wayne State University in Detroit, USA. During this phase, students will work together intensively on their projects and present the results to all partners at the end. They will also take part in an exciting program of guided excursions and site visits to some of Detroit's local sustainability projects, where students will also have the opportunity to talk with local Detroit professionals and community leaders and engage in activities that aim to foster new friendships and international connections abroad.
The Summer School can be recognized as a study module. All HRW students – except for those in Bau- and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen-Bau studies – can earn 6 ECTS points for successful completion of the Summer School as an elective module (B.Sc./BA, Wahlmodul). For more information on this, see: Modulhandbuch.
Master students can also attend the Summer School. For information about recognition for Master's please consult your faculty's study-program advisor.
Participation is open to students from all study programs (both Bachelor's and Master's students may apply). There are 10 places available for HRW students. A maximum of 40 students from both the USA and Germany wil participate in the program overall.
The participating lecturers from HRW who are responsible for content and student support are Prof. François Deuber (FB 4), Prof. Michael Römmich (FB 2) and Prof. Carolin Straßmann (FB 1).
Applications - Important Information: Please read carefully!
Students should read and sign the participation agreement ("Teilnehmerbedingungen") and fill out the application form provided in the download box below.
Applications, including all the required documents and attachments, must be sent via E-Mail to the COIL coordinator under the contact address provided in the application form.
The deadline for application is February 22, 2026.
Selection interviews will take place online or in-person around the third or fourth week of February (or in the first week of March at the latest).
The participating lecturers from HRW who are responsible for student selection, academic content and support during the Summer School are Prof. François Deuber (FB 4), Prof. Michael Römmich (FB 2) and Prof. Carolin Straßmann (FB 1).
For questions, please send all inquiries to: coil@hs-ruhrwest.de
The Summer School is largely financed by the HRW from QVM-funds, which covers the costs of travel expenses including flights, train transfers, hotel and on-campus meals. However, students must be prepared to pay a participation fee of €550 (ca. 20% of the overall cost of travel) as a personal contribution. Upon admission, students commit to paying the fee. In return, the hotel and all travel accommodations will be organized for you through HRW's COIL coordinating team.
In addition to paying the participation fee, students will also need to be in possession of a valid international passport for travel to the U.S. and be prepared to cover their own ESTA (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/) or U.S. VISA application costs, whichever applies to them. The purchase of private global travel (emergency medical) insurance is also required to take part.
Downloads for Applicants (2 documents)
