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Rebecca Melzer, a 21-year-old student at the University of Münster, has been internationally-minded almost all her life. As a possible stepping-stone to a future career in Brussels, she worked for one year as a voluntary ambassador for the administrative centre of the EU, which employs 55,000 people working for the European institutions and the European Commission.

Did you know that more than 3,000 international students from all continents are enrolled at the University of Münster? Or that around 700 guest academics are working at the University? Even if these are just numbers, this infographic can give you a good insight into many aspects of internationality at the University of Münster.

The universities of Münster and Twente have been collaborating since 1979, but in their search for common research funding they still have to deal with the border that lies between them. "We don’t very easily find programmes that are suitable for cross-border collaboration." By extending the network to Groningen and Oldenburg, chairmen Ursula Nelles and Victor van der Chijs hope to remove that 'virtual border'.

For many experts, nanotechnology is a key technology for the future. At the Universities of Münster and Twente, both national and international researchers are engaged on intensive work on just this future, and many of them are working closely together. Joint research, joint projects – and also joint training. That works very well in Münster and Twente.

Back in Germany from North America? For two days every year, top German academics of the future meet in the USA with numerous representatives of German universities and academic organizations to plan their desired return to Germany. The University of Münster was also there in San Francisco to support postdoctoral students in word and deed.

Internationalization is a hot topic at many universities, and so it is for Münster and Twente. Both institutions are looking for partnerships all over the globe. Though, one of your strongest international connections might even be closer than the nearest domestic university. The universities of Twente (UT) and Münster (WWU) have been partners since 1979. In this special issue we would like to give an impression of the many links between the neighbouring universities.