Preparation

If, like most students, you would like to spend part of your studies abroad (one or two semesters), you should first start studying in Germany. A stay abroad only makes sense if you have gained a rough overview of your subject, for example from the third or fourth semester in bachelor's programs and from the third semester in the master's program.

An advanced or advanced study abroad is also possible after completing a degree at a German university. You can find information about full-time studies abroad here de.

While a few weeks or months are usually sufficient for an internship or a language course, you should plan at least one, or even better, two semesters for studying abroad, as this makes more sense for your academic and personal development as well as for your language skills.

As a rule, you take leave of absence for the duration of your stay abroad. (Coursework completed abroad can be recognized despite being on leave of absence). Exchange programs are generally limited to a maximum of 12 months.

For an internship as well as a study abroad, you should assume that a command of the national language is required. In certain cases, language tests must even be taken and submitted with the application documents.

It is not advisable to go abroad without prior knowledge. So start to refresh or improve your language skills about 1 year before the start of your stay abroad. You can find information on preparatory language courses under language coursesExternal link.

Under no circumstances should you underestimate the cost of a stay abroad. The cost of living abroad is often higher and there are additional costs, such as travel costs and possibly costs for additional health insurance. When you decide to go abroad, you should immediately think about your financing options. Do not wait until you have been accepted for a study place or similar, as it will then be too late to apply for certain scholarship programs. Therefore, inform yourself in good time. You can find the application deadlines in the information on the individual programs and grants.

For a subject-oriented study stay abroad, an application for funding within the framework of the BAföGExternal link can be made under certain conditions. You can find more information on this and other funding opportunities under funding opportunities for stays abroad.

When planning your study abroad, please bear in mind that you have to take care of accommodation yourself in the host country / at the host university, at the same time as applying to the foreign host university. Even with exchange programs, there is usually no entitlement to accommodation in a student dormitory (also with ERASMUS +). Exceptions can be found in the respective program announcements. When planning the stay abroad financially, it should be borne in mind that a rent deposit is usually incurred. Big cities and especially the metropolises are more expensive! (see also country information provided by the DAADExternal link).

Living in student dorms

When applying to a university, it is usually also possible to apply for accommodation in a student dormitory. Appropriate applications and information are available on the website of the respective host university.

Private accommodation

If you prefer a private accommodation (room, flat share, apartment etc.) instead of accommodation in the dormitory, you should also take care of it early. Some of the information is provided by the host universities or their student unions, "bulletin boards", Facebook groups etc. Searching directly on site can also be an advantage, but is at your own discretion.

Housinganywhere has a forum where students around the world can find and offer rooms/flats:
https://housinganywhere.com/External link.

For the recognition of your study achievements abroad, it is necessary to make arrangements in advance with the lecturers and to record them in a learning agreement. You can find this for download at forms.External link

It is possible to take leave of absence for the duration of the stay abroad.

Advantage: The semesters abroad are not counted towards your semesters. However, they remain students of the FSU. As a rule, you can have the study achievements abroad credited afterwards, despite your leave of absence, so that you will hardly have any losses in relation to your studies.

In preparation for the stay abroad, the international office offers the opportunity to take part in an intercultural training. The focus of the training is on imparting intercultural competence and raising awareness of how to successfully deal with:     

• unfamiliar contexts
• foreign cultural interaction partners
• adequate communication tools

You can register for this in the International Office of the FSU.