IBVtalk 01 - German Communication Hacks: Everyday Success

This talk will be held in English and in person

Speaking German in everyday life is often intimidating. Many international students worry about grammar mistakes, misunderstand non-verbal cues, or stay silent in group discussions. These fears can block opportunities in both academic and social life.

In this interactive talk, you will learn a practical communication toolkit:

• Slow & Clear Rule – why clarity is more valued than speed.
• Question Bridge – how to use questions to show respect and buy time.
• Story Piece – how to prepare short personal stories for any situation.

Through a survival quiz and peer role-plays, you will practice real-life scenarios such as introducing yourself, joining conversations, and asking for help.

By the end, you will understand that confidence in German is not about perfection, but about expressing trust, respect, and contribution—the IBV (IBV=International Bond Values) Triad for intercultural communication.

Why this talk is important to you:

International students at KIT face unique challenges: adapting to a new culture, navigating an unfamiliar job market, and preparing for a professional future in Germany. Often, these challenges can create feelings of isolation, uncertainty, or invisibility in social and professional contexts.

The IBVtalk (IBV=International Bond Values) series is designed to bridge these gaps by offering a sequence of regulary 90-minute talks that combine expert input, alumni experiences, interactive activities, and peer-to-peer learning. Each session addresses a key theme relevant to internationals, such as belonging, communication, civic engagement, job hunting, entrepreneurship, mental health, and career development.

This talk consists of interactive exercises and peer sharing and is hosted by Iman Baratvakili, Coach & Research Associate at KIT/Project manager at Stadt Baden-Baden. This talk takes place at building 01.52 (Gastdozentenhaus), room "Großer Saal".

 Participation details: 

• Registration is mandatory. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• By registering, you agree that your name and email adress will be forwarded to the Center of Competence, Hochschule Karlsruhe, for organizational purposes. 
• We expect all registered participants to attend and actively to contribute
• If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration in advance, so your place can be given to another student. 

This talk is funded by the DAAD project “Study, Stay, Succeed in Karlsruhe”. International degree seeking students and recent graduates from KIT (up to one year after graduation) will be given priority.

We collect, save and process personal data of persons who register for the course in order to organize the event and evaluate the project. The anonymized personal data is shared with the DAAD for statistical reasons. Please see our data protection information for details.

Non-international students can also enroll and will be placed at the waiting list. We inform them a few days before start, if there are places left for non-international students and if they can attend.

Register now to secure your spot!