Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme International Taxation

From 8 to 12 June, HWR Berlin hosted students from across Europe to take part in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme: International Taxation. Twenty-five students from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Portugal, and Georgia visited HWR for a week of international study and exchange.

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes combine face-to-face exchanges with digital learning and have been introduced by the Erasmus+ programme to diversify the opportunities for students and staff to participate in international exchanges. The aim is to promote new forms of international learning and teaching that can lead to the development of new intercultural and digital skills. HWR has been sending out over 150 students in the past academic year to participate in such programmes, and was delighted to host this BIP.

The Blended Intensive Programme ‘International Taxation’ was hosted and academically supported by Prof. Dr. Wojciech Stiller, Professor for Business Taxation. It was organizationally and administratively supported by Tobias Lebens from our International Office. 

Prior to the week in Berlin, students were given an individual task during an online kick-off session in May. They had to prepare country related facts and data on taxation for all EU Member States. During the week in Berlin, the students worked, discussed and presented case studies on cross-border case studies covering income taxes and VAT. Students mixed with each other and with HWR students to create an engaging, multicultural learning environment. They attended classes on topics such as ‘Cross-border Mergers & Acquisitions’, ‘VAT: Cross-border & Digital’ and ‘Transfer-Pricing’. 

The classes were led by Wojciech Stiller as well as international experts Hana Zídková (Prague University of Economics and Business), Alicja Brodzka (Wroclaw University of Economics and Business), Mário Marques (University of Porto), Veronika Solilová (Prague University of Economics and Business), and Jana Tepperová (Prague University of Economics and Business). The colleagues from Prague had previously hosted a BIP on Taxation in December 2025, in which students from HWR also participated.

As well as attending classes, students participated in a Berlin City Photo Challenge in mixed international teams to promote intercultural teamwork in a fun way. They also visited political and historical landmarks such as the Bundestag and the Holocaust Memorial to learn about the places they visited. The week ended in true German style with a Feierabend-Drink! 

HWR Berlin would like to thank Wojciech Stiller and Tobias Lebens for their organisational efforts, and the visiting teachers for delivering fascinating classes and creating an excellent and always friendly learning atmosphere. Most importantly, HWR Berlin would like to thank the visiting students for enriching the campus community for a week, and for being such mature, warm, and curious guests, who gave us the chance to experience our own university and city through a new set of eyes.