An Afternoon of Exchange, Insights and Inspiration
On 19 November, the fourth edition of Düsseldorf meets International Talents took place at the Haus der Universität. Despite the typical cold and rainy November weather, around 60 international students, researchers and young professionals gathered to attend. They experienced a warm, open and personal afternoon.
Starting with Atmosphere and Connection
The reception immediately set a positive tone: international finger food, music from a playlist curated by participants, and lots of spontaneous conversations. In their welcome remarks, Annette Klerks from Düsseldorf’s Office of Economic Development and Dr. Kai de Weldige, Managing Director of Wissensregion Düsseldorf, highlighted the importance of international talent for the region and the need for places where exchange can happen easily.
Keynote: Reality, Challenges and Empowerment
Deniz Ates, CEO of Who Moves GmbH, delivered a strong keynote. He spoke candidly about the challenges of entering the German job market, while also emphasizing the diverse strengths international professionals bring with them. His mix of personal experiences, current data and practical advice was both motivating and long-lasting in its impact.
Peer Exchange: New Perspectives and New Contacts
One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the exchange among participants. Many students from HHU and HSD connected across faculties and national backgrounds. Notably, this year saw a strong presence of humanities students, which highlighted the diversity of the event even more.
Across panels and conversations, a clear trend emerged: the job market is increasingly opening up to interdisciplinary profiles. Soft skills, willingness to learn and motivation are gaining importance. Unconventional career paths are more often perceived as strengths rather than obstacles.
Panel: Many Paths Lead into the Job Market
The panel discussion brought together perspectives from business, consulting and academia. A central takeaway ran through the conversation: there is no single ideal route into the German job market. Success stories look different, individual and often far less linear than one might assume.
Public Authorities On Site – and a New Specialized Team
As in previous years, the Federal Employment Agency and the Düsseldorf Immigration Office were present. New this year was the strong involvement of the recently established unit “Studium und Ausbildung,” which focuses specifically on the needs of international students and young professionals. Many participants used the opportunity to ask personal questions directly – an option that often involves long waiting times in everyday administrative processes.
Partner Institutions in the “Market of Opportunities”
Participating institutions included:
- Techniker Krankenkasse
- Kommunales Integrationsmanagement mit der neuen Integreat-App
- Henkel und Who Moves Operations GmbH
- IHK Düsseldorf, Expat Service Desk und Goethe-Institut
They offered guidance, information and low-threshold access to advice.
New in 2025: Personal Follow-up Sessions
This year introduced a new format: three personal follow-up sessions with Deniz Ates, the Federal Employment Agency and the Düsseldorf Immigration Office. These sessions will allow participants to revisit and explore their questions in more depth after the event.
A Musical Finale
To conclude the event, Sarah from Mexico – a young pianist from the Robert Schumann University of Music – performed a gentle, atmospheric piano piece. Afterwards, many attendees continued chatting or joined a short guided tour of Düsseldorf’s Old Town.
Conclusion
Many participants left with greater clarity, confidence and a strong sense of belonging to an open, diverse community of international talents in Düsseldorf. The event demonstrated how essential spaces are that provide orientation, exchange and genuine connection.
We look forward to the next edition—and to welcoming even more international talents to Düsseldorf.
Fotos: Wilfried Meyer
