Three students talking to each other

Student commitment inside the University

Get engaged to help others, represent students' interest and shape University life
Three students talking to each other
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)

There are many opportunities to shape University life, help others and have a say, i.e. to influence, change and improve things. Take your chance to get involved!

Extracurricular commitment is not only good for your CV. You learn a lot, network with others and get more out of your time in Jena. International students can integrate more quickly and practise their German. There are even scholarships for particularly committed international students!

  • Students in front of the university main building
    Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
    Have your say: volunteer as a student representative As a representative in University bodies such as student council or institute council you may have a say and influnce the current and future student situation
  • Ein Pulk Studierende läuft lachend bei Sonnenschein die Prinzessinnenwiese hinunter
    Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
    Help shape: Intercultural campus life In student initiatives or country groups, you can help shape intercultural campus life, meet people from all over the world, integrate new students, make friends for life and simply have a good time!
  • Welcome Buddy with mentees
    Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
    Help others: be a Welcome Buddy! Support new international students with their first steps in the University and the city of Jena after their arrival, help them with enrolment and registration at offices, banks and the health insurance. Practise your language skills and intercultural competence. Experience the international campus in Jena.
  • International Centre (House on the Wall)
    Image: Britta Salheiser (Universität Jena)
    Join in: student initiatives and associations There are numerous student groups at the university that organise living and studying together. For example, political or cultural associations, groups with social commitment or religious communities. New members welcome!
  • Mug of the International Office at the International Centre
    Image: Sabine Müller/Universität Jena
    Help along: WelcomeCafé for new students At the beginning of the semester, experienced students help in the WelcomeCafé of the International Office: they answer new students' questions about organising their studies, enrolment, visas and finding accommodation. They give tips on leisure activities and life in Jena. Twice a year, scholarships are awarded for this purpose.
  • A student gets advice
    Image: Nadine Mrosewski (Universität Jena)
    Own ideas? Get started! If you have an idea for an event which will bring international and German students together, let us know. We can advise you on how to organize this. Get in touch!

Recognition of your commitment

  • Collect your certificates

    If you have been involved over a longer period of time, ask for a written confirmation. This should contain

    • Your full name
    • the name of the organisation with contact details for queries
    • the period of your involvement
    • a brief description of your tasks or the content of your activities
    • an assessment of how well you have done

    Keep these confirmations for a long time. They help when applying for scholarships, internships and jobs.

  • DAAD Prize for excellent achievements of international students

    Every year, the University of Jena awards the DAAD Prize for outstanding academic achievement and exceptional social commitment to a foreign student, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The prize is worth 1,000 euros. The call for applications is open from mid-April to mid-June.

    Learn more
  • Commitment Scholarship at the Welcome Café

    Every semester, the International Office awards 2-3 scholarships to international students who are involved in the Welcome Café. Applicants must have a very good command of German and English. The call for applications is published in the calendar de in January and June. 

  • Scholarship awards for special commitment

    The Committed Scholarship honours special extracurricular commitment to university life. International students can apply in April or October.

    Learn more
  • Recognition in the "Career Planning Certificate"

    By participating in the Career Planning certificate programme, you will plan your studies in a career-oriented way and actively coordinate your commitments alongside your studies. You will reflect on the transition from university to working life and gradually prepare your way into a job. You will acquire skills for the labour market and for your job search after graduation. The Career Planning certificate is awarded to students who, in addition to their studies, show a particularly high level of career-orientated and intercultural commitment. Your experience and commitment are documented in the final certificate.

    Learn more
  • Residence law and perspectives for staying in Germany

    Your extracurricular commitment is very welcome, but it should not lead to you neglecting your studies. This is particularly important if you have a temporary residence permit to study; you should try to study within the standard period of study.

    On the other hand: When applying for a permanent residence permit or for German citizenship, a long-term social commitment helps to show that you are very well integrated and can speak German very well.

Commitment outside the University

Of course, there are also many opportunities to get involved socially or politically outside of university. Ask friends and neighbours, in sports clubs or in cultural institutions.

The Jena Community Foundation (BürgerstiftungExternal link) offers many different projects in which you can get involved from time to time or on a regular basis.

Information

If you have any questions or need advice, please contact Dr Britta Salheiser, Team International Students of the International Office.