Intercultural campus life
Meeting people and discovering Jena & its region
international cups
The International Office offers students many opportunities to network and to get to know each other better. We also offer workshops where international students can familiarize themselves with various aspects of living in Jena and Germany in general.
The Studierendenwerk Thüringen also offers many intercultural events. Feel free to join us!
There is much to discover in Jena and its region. We give you some ideas what you could do in your spare time.
Image: Britta Salheiser (Universität Jena)
Events calendar
This calendar is aimed at students who want to gain international experiences and contains events of the International Office, various student groups, the Central Student Advisory Service, and the Career Point.
There is a variety of intercultural groups at the University and in Jena, such as the International RoomExternal link and Erasmus Student Network External linkin the International CentreExternal link. They organize parties, excursions and trips, visits to the theatre and to museums, international nights, concerts and movie nights, as well as language courses and regular get-togethers.
You may use the facilities of the International CentreExternal link for free, booking rooms for your activities is easy.
International Centre with city map
Mug of the International Office at the International Centre
Once a month during the lecture period, we meet in the International Centre for an informal get-together. Everyone is welcome to this open meeting. A member of the WelcomeCafé team organises the meeting and prepares a topic, for example:
- Intercultural exchange: what is "culture"? How do you live and study in an intercultural environment?
- Celebrations, holidays, traditions in Germany and other countries
- Language tandem matching
- Your topics - write to us at: incoming@uni-jena.de
Dates: see calendar (keyword: Intercultural Meet-up)
Students in the canteen's garden
The Fachschaftsrat (FSR), the student representative body in each institute or faculty organizes meet & greet events for new students, semester parties, regulars' tables and much more. You may find their contact information on the institute or faculty website.
In clubs, theatre groups, choirs and the University Sports new members are welcome at any time. Please find the contact information of the various student groups and a list of activities here. Just come along!
You may also form your own informal study groups with peer students to do your homework or prepare for exams. If you are looking for space, use the International CentreExternal link rooms!
Logo of the Café International Jena
Another Café? Yes – this one is located in Jena, Weimar and Erfurt, at each university.
The Studierendenwerk Thüringen and students organize intercultural events in Jena, Erfurt and Weimar. Famous are the Intercultural Evenings when students present their home countries and cultures.
If you want to take part or present your country and culture to others, contact the International Scouts of the Studierendenwerk.
students in front of the Hanfried statue
You want to get a City tour of Jena for free? Well, we have created a City Rallye on Actionbound! Just click hereExternal link and try it out! You will get the chance to get to know the City and its history!
Also available in GermanExternal link and FrenchExternal link!
A boring weekend lies ahead of you? Then make use of our tips:
- Free time activities in Jena
- Together in JenaExternal link
- Events & sportsExternal link in Jena
- Arts & cultureExternal link in Jena
- HikesExternal link around Jena: If you are looking for hiking company, have a look at hiking-jena.deExternal link.
- Action boundsExternal link (virtual scavenger hunts)
It is worth exploring the Jena region and Thuringia. Many places are accesible with your thoska (or by bike). Here are our favourites:
- WeimarExternal link (Schiller House, Goethe House, Bauhaus Museum, Ilm Park)
- ErfurtExternal link (medieavel centre, cathedral, Old Synagoge, Krämerbrücke, museums, shops)
- GeraExternal link (Dix Museum, Schulenburg Villa, Hofwiesen Park)
- RudolstadtExternal link (Heidecksburg Castle, Schiller House)
- Dornburg CastlesExternal link (great view over the Saale valley)
- NaumburgExternal link (Unesco world heritage cathedral, Nietzsche House)
- ... and much more in ThüringenExternal link.
materials for workshops
In workshops/e-workshops*, the International Office provides information about important aspects of student life in Germany and Jena:
- accommodation search
- applying for a residence permit
- organizing your studies
- studying healthily/German health system
- intercultural training
The next workshops will be offered as part of the Welcome Days. and can be found in the calendar.
*Please note the e-learning information.