The IZLA is a three-year DAAD-funded add-on programme for students in the Bachelor degrees International Business and International Relations at our Karlsruhe campus. It combines regional expertise, intercultural language training and a semester abroad at one of five partner universities — built into your existing study plan, at no extra cost.
Authentic
Co-designed with partner universities on the ground
Integrated
Fast keine Zusatzkurse nötig
On site
Auslandssemester + Praktikum im 5. und 6. Semester
DAAD-funded
DAAD scholarships available
Programme Overview
Latin America plays a growing strategic role in global economics and geopolitics. Those who genuinely understand the region — not from a distant European perspective, but through real collaboration with people on the ground — have a real edge on the job market, one that already counts at Bachelor level.
The programme fits into your existing study plan. The only addition is a specialisation module — taught by academic partners from Latin America, which also gives you a much better sense of which partner university is the right fit for your semester abroad.
Admission and Requirements
The IZLA Certificate is open to students enrolled in International Business B.A. or International Relations B.A. at the Karlsruhe campus. The best time to join is during your second semester.
- Enrolled in International Business B.A. or International Relations B.A. at Karlshochschule Karlsruhe
- Willingness to complete a semester abroad and internship in Latin America in your 5th and 6th semesters
- Spanish at C1 level by programme completion — the language course is included, no prior knowledge required but helpful
DAAD Funding and Scholarships
The IZLA programme is co-funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Students who want to complete their semester abroad or internship in one of the partner countries can apply for DAAD scholarships to cover the cost of their stay.
For details on funding amounts and how to apply, get in touch with the programme coordination team directly.
Meet our Partners
| Argentinia | Universidad de Congreso Mendoza |
| Chile | Universidad Diego Portales Santiago |
| Peru | Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola Lima |
| Costa Rica | Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT) San José |
| Mexico | Tecnológico de Monterrey Mexico City |
Doors IZLA opens
With the IZLA Certificate, you are qualified for roles requiring intercultural, linguistic and subject-specific knowledge of Latin America — in companies, NGOs, international organisations or the public sector, both on the ground in Latin America and in Germany or Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — prior knowledge is not required. You should, however, be ready to complete a semester abroad and internship in Latin America in your fifth semester. The programme includes an integrated Spanish course across four semesters, and you will need to demonstrate C1 level by the time you complete the certificate.
Your fifth semester takes you to a partner university in Latin America for four months. Your sixth semester follows with a three-month internship in the region. Both stays can be funded through DAAD scholarships.
Currently International Business B.A. and International Relations B.A. at the Karlsruhe campus.
Some places change the way you see the world
A certificate that goes beyond the classroom and an academic experience that stays with you long after you come home. Your IZLA journey starts with a simple conversation.
Lisa Wiedemann, Programme Coordination
lwiedemann@karlshochschule.org
Eva Hill de Menacho, Programme Coordination
ehilla@karlshochschule.org
Verena Seger, Programme Coordination
vseger@karlshochschule.org
Prof. Dr. Dr. Björn Bohnenkamp, Academic Lead
bbohnenkamp@karlshochschule.org
