ISWI 2025 - The world as guest in Ilmenau

In June, Ilmenau’s population will once again increase by up to one percent. For ten days, several hundred students from all’over the world are expected to discuss, experience cultural events and make new friends.

While preparations for the "International Student Week Ilmenau" (ISWI), which begins on 12 June, are in full swing, the volunteer organizers are once again relying on the support of the people of Ilmenau. "Since the first ISWI in 1993, it has become a tradition to accommodate the participants in private accommodation," explains Niklas Loos, first board member of ISWI e.V. In fact, up to 420 visitors could be accommodated in guest rooms, on couches or even on the insulating mat in the kitchen in Ilmenau, which has a population of around 40,000. The hosts are referred to as "hosts" in accordance with the conference language, English. The search for volunteers who would like to host guests this year has already begun. The "Hoster Bunny Campaign" on campus went from door to door at Easter and international treats were served as a thank you at the May 1st celebrations.

Nevertheless, the organizers still have a mammoth task ahead of them. "So far, it’s always been nerve-wracking at the end to find out whether there’s enough accommodation," says Loos and hopes that "interested people will start thinking about becoming a host now." One of them is Jacky Georgius. The Ilmenau native has hosted guests at every ISWI since 2011 - sometimes even several at once. "It was always a great time," Georgius recalls, and raves about "the interesting conversations, the barbecues and the culinary treats the guests brought along." According to Georgius, the effort involved is limited: "A small place to sleep, some breakfast in the fridge in the morning, otherwise they are often on the road to the events." ISWI e.V. pays an expense allowance for the breakfast and hosts also have free admission to the student clubs and ISWI events. Registration is possible via the association’s website: www.iswi.org/hosts

Whether you are a host or not - the largest student festival of its kind in Germany offers all citizens the opportunity to get to know other cultures with a variety of lectures, the World Food Festival and an open-air concert. Under the motto "Spark the Part(y)cipation" , this year’s participants will discuss the distribution of power and equal opportunities in 15 themed groups.