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

Catherine, how long have you been working in the International Office and what does your day-to-day work look like? 

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.

Can you give us an example of a typical process when a student or staff member wants to participate in the Swiss-European Mobility Program (SEMP)?  

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!

The International Office will be increased by 30% in 2025. What does this mean for your work?

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. 

In the autumn semester 2024, 21 students from 7 countries (Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Norway) took part in the Swiss-European Mobility Programme. What are the benefits of this programme for students and staff? 

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.  

Where can people find out more about the exchange programme? 

For more information, students and staff should email the international office at aW50ZXJuYXRpb25hbC5oYWJnQGZobncuY2g=. 

About Catherine Shultis  

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.