Information for International Students in Berlin 1 www.studentenwerk-berlin.de
Prologue Dear Students, we want to support you with the decision to study in Berlin and to accompany you with information around this topic. First of all an important hint: You are not alone. There are around 24.000 international students in Berlin. According to the 19th social survey of the Deutsches Studentenwerk, 1 international students have different reasons for studying in Germany and special needs and issues. The main reason 70% of the international students come to study in Germany is to acquire professional knowledge. Furthermore the good reputations of the universities are solid arguments for a study in Germany. However most of the international students encounter difficulties. The orientation in the study system, financing and the contact to German students are the three biggest issues international students have in Germany. Most importantly at the beginning of their studies, international students need information about universities, government bureaucracy and recreational activities. They might also want to learn about possible financial assistance and employment. With this brochure we want to support international students in meeting new challenges and studying successfully in Berlin. Thus international students will find detailed information here, plus ways of financing and contact addresses to hopefully answer many questions. We want to encourage those who have decided to study abroad. In this sense we hope to provide you with a helpful brochure, with which we wish you much courage and a wonderful time of studying in Berlin! The team of the Sozialberatung of the Studentenwerk Berlin Please notice: In addition to the information in this brochure we want to offer personal counselling as well. You will find our addresses and phone numbers on the backside of this brochure. 2 1 Internationalisierung des Studiums Ausländische Studierende in Deutschland Deutsche Studierende im Ausland Ergebnisse der 19. Sozialerhebung des DSW more information at www.studentenwerke.de
Structure of the brochure The main parts of the brochure are the chapters Welcome to Berlin (chapter 1), Universities and structure of studies (chapter 3) and What/ When / Where (chapter 4). In the chapter 1 you will find the offers of the Studentenwerk Berlin. Chapter 3 we will explain the structure and establishments of the universities. Chapter 4 will show the different aspects of student life, beginning with your preparations to come to Germany, through your arrival, to the end of your studies. Here you will find information about financing, housing and other helpful contacts. Chapter 5 (Legal process) gives an overview about legal possibilities in case of a dispute. Chapter 6 (Index of cooperating universities) provides contact addresses to important facilities of the universities. The last chapter of the brochure is an alphabetical index. Additionally you will find listings of vocabulary to the particular chapters in the grey boxes. The orange boxes show particular information you should notice. However they don t replace the content of this brochure. Furthermore some of our student tutors have given a personal statement to some issue. We now want to point out that the information in this brochure is collected to the best of our knowledge and belief but we are not asserting a claim of completeness. Your hints, suggestions and critiques are heartily welcome for the next edition. Please send to: Sozialberatung des Studentenwerkes Berlin Thielallee 38 14195 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 90 22 / - 90 24 E-mail: sozialb.thielallee@studentenwerk-berlin.de You can find this brochure online as pdf-document at: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de 3
Prologue 2 Structure of the brochure 3 1. Welcome to Berlin! 6 1.1 Studentenwerk Berlin 6 1.1.1 Dining facilities Mensen & Cafeterien 7 1.1.2 Student accommodations Studentenwohnheime 8 1.1.3 Employment service Heinzelmännchen 10 1.1.4 Counselling, support and child day-care Beratung, Unterstützung und Kitas 11 1.1.4.1 Social counselling Sozialberatung 12 1.1.4.2 Psychological and Psychotherapeutic Counselling Psychologisch-Psychotherapeutische Beratung 13 1.1.4.3 Counselling for students with disabilities Beratung für Studierende mit Behinderung 14 1.1.4.4 Student tutors in student accommodations Wohnheimtutoren 15 2. Tips and tricks to deal with Germans 17 3. Universities and structure of studies 19 4 4. What - When - Where 21 4.1 Pre-departure 21 4.1.1 University application 21 4.1.3 Costs of living 23 4.1.4 Visa application 24 4.1.5 Housing 25 4.1.6 Health insurance and other insurances 27 4.2.1 Enrolment and semester ticket 29 4.2.2 Residence registration and residence permit 30 4.3.1 Studying and children 33 4.3.2 Financing academic study 36 4.3.2.1 Federal Law on Support in Education (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz BAföG) 36 4.3.2.2 Scholarships 38
4.3.2.3 Foundations for emergency situations 41 4.3.2.4 National social benefits (Soziale Leistungen) 41 4.3.2.5 Student loans 42 4.3.2.6 Loan (Darlehen) of the Studentenwerk 45 4.3.3 Jobs and internships 45 4.3.4 Freetime 48 4.4 End of studies 52 4.4.1 Returning home 52 4.4.1.1 Finding a Job Back Home 53 4.4.2 Staying in Germany 54 5. Legal process 56 6. Index of universities of Berlin 60 6.1 Alice Salomon Hochschule (ASH) 60 6.2 Beuth-Hochschule für Technik 61 6.3 Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin 61 6.4 Evangelische Hochschule Berlin (EHB) 62 6.5 Freie Universität Berlin (FU) 62 6.6 Hertie School of Governance GmbH 64 6.7 Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin (HfM) 64 6.8 Hochschule für Schauspielkunst Ernst Busch Berlin (HfS) 64 6.9 Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW) 65 6.10 Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR) 65 6.11 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) 66 6.12 International Psychoanalytic University (IPU) 67 6.13 Kunsthochschule Berlin Weißensee (KHB) 68 6.14 Katholische Hochschule für Sozialwesen (KHSB) 68 6.15 Private Hochschule Göttingen (PFH), Campus Berlin 69 6.16 Technische Universität Berlin (TU) 69 6.17 Universität der Künste (UdK) 70 7. Public Transport in Berlin 72 8. Index 74 5
Welcome to Berlin 1. Welcome to Berlin! You are studying in the city with the most international students in Germany. Berlin appeals to many people from many countries because of its cultural diversity and broad academic landscape. In this sense: I take pride in the words Ich bin ein Berliner! John F. Kennedy 1.1 Studentenwerk Be rlin What is the Studentenwerk? Is it a part of the university? Or does every university has its own Studentenwerk? These could be the questions you may have. The Studentenwerk is special for Germany. It developed out of a self-help organization and takes care of the non-academic needs of the students. Therefore the Studentenwerk is associated with the universities, but is not a part of them. It is financed out of a compulsory contribution from the semester fee, earned profits and out of federal funds. There are 58 Studentenwerke for almost every city with a university in Germany. Those 58 Studentenwerke are headed by the governing body Deutsches Studentenwerk. So the Studentenwerk Berlin is only responsible for the students of Berlin s universities that cooperate with the Studentenwerk Berlin. 6 Studentenwerk Berlin what do we do? Through a mandate of the German Federal State of Berlin ( Studentenwerkgesetz ) we are entrusted with the responsibility of providing support services for the social, physical, economic and cultural well-being of Berlin s students. With more than 800 employees, we have been working to make the lives of students at
Berlin s institutions of higher learning as pleasant as possible for 40 years now. We acknowledge an important social responsibility and pursue our mission diligently and economically. Expectations and standards have changed over the years. We are modernizing our facilities bit by bit so that students will feel as comfortable as possible. We are here to assist students with their particular problems and to answer their questions whatever they might be. We provide a unique array of services specially attuned to the needs of students: Dining Facilities Student accommodations Jobs and Employment service Counselling and support BaföG (German Federal academic loan program) We have also put together quite a bit of information regarding International students and studying in Berlin at: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/berlin/international 1.1.1 Dining faciliti es Mensen & Cafeterien Our guests can expect more than appetizing, wholesome and reasonably priced meals! This is where students relax between lectures, meet their friends and eat together, sit comfortably, drink coffee and get to know one another. This is where they plan their weekends, arrange study groups and take it easy. In our 20 mensen (from the Latin for table, a student dining hall) and 28 cafeterias and coffee shops, we provide wholesome food at low prices for more than 34,000 people daily. We are Berlin s largest restaurant operator. But rather than quantity, quality is what counts for us. We operate our own kitchens and employ a staff of more than 400. 7
Welcome to Berlin You should know that we are constantly modernizing our mensen and cafeterias. we prepare more than 25,000 meals a day. we offer health-food meals in every mensa We are proud of the trust Berlin s students have in us. It is our goal, however, to continually improve our services. We want to provide more than good food! Where can you find us? You can find an overview of all dining facilities and a daily menu at our homepage: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/mensen/mensen_cafeterien 1.1.2 Student accommo dations Studentenwohnheime Would you like to live in a clean, dry and centrally heated room or apartment for a long period? Perhaps you do not have much money to spend but still need to find a good place to live. 8 Then we might have just the right place for you! More than 9,500 accommodations in almost all districts of the city Accommodations appropriate to all needs and financial resources Live alone or with others in one of our studio or full-sized apartments Participate in changes taking place in your residence and its surroundings To find a space in our student halls of residence you have to apply at the student halls of residence service online: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/wohnen/wohnheimportal
Our Special Features: You can select The student residence you prefer according to its location in Berlin using the online map (visit www.studentenwerk-berlin. de/studentenwerk/lageplan/wh) on our search machine to find the place that meets your needs from our list of currently available residential accommodations: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/wohnen/studentische_ wohnanlagen Wherever you want to live, we don t assign places. The people you want to live with. How much you will pay (our average rental is 220 Euros per person each month). Internet in the student accommodations: Most student accommodations of the Studentenwerk offer wireless LAN Internet from the provider Hotzone; ask your student tutor or the accommodations administration for the relevant student contact person. You can get private Internet over your phone line as well. You can choose between different private providers like Alice, 1 & 1, Congstar, Deutsche Telekom, O², Vodafone etc. Please check the contract for payment conditions, contract duration, extra fees and benefits. Maybe you can share wireless LAN with your neighbour, check the networks and ask your neighbours. Please notice that some providers need to be informed or to be asked for permission if you want to share your network or use the network of your neighbours. Ulrike Elsner, student tutor of student accommodation Franz- Mehring-Platz You can do without an Internet connection as well (the universities have enough network access possibilities). Additionally in the student accommodation Franz-Mehring-Platz the specific Internet-tutor will help the residents with Internet and computer problems. 9
Welcome to Berlin Aboubakar Gambo, student tutor of student accommodation Goerzallee : The students self administration (Studentische Selbstverwaltung) is a group of experienced students who voluntarily take care of the needs of the accommodation residents. Almost every accommodation has a students self administration. They deal with requests and complaints on the one side and on the other side they mentor the students facilities in the accommodations: washing machine room, fitness room, music room, learning room accommodation bar and the Internet. Student tutors (look at chapter 1.1.4.4) will provide addition assistance in various situations. Contact those institutions if you have any questions about student life in your accommodation. Do you have any questions about student residences? Contact the administration of student accommodations (Wohnheimverwaltungen) : www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/wohnen/kontakt 1.1.3 Employment service Heinzelmännchen The Heinzelmännchen employment service is a non-profit service of the Studentenwerk. We place students from all academic institutions in Berlin into jobs. Your advantages: You are able to help finance your studies We enable you to work flexibly according to your study schedule You acquire practical work experience and learn on the job 10 Our special services: Specialist employment: You have a special qualification and would like to work in that area; or you would like to acquire a qualification by continually working in a particular area. Long-term employment: You have an employer who would like to employ you for an extended period and you would like to continue to take advantage of our booking system If you want to participate from the offers of the Heinzelmännchen you need to apply at our office.
Requirements: Matriculation ( Immatrikulation ) at an academic institution in Berlin (You must provide a valid current registration certificate indicating you are a full-time student große Immatrikulationsbescheinigung ) Passport (citizens of EU countries can provide a green EU identification card) Tax I.D. Number ( Steueridentifikationsnummer ) (for more information look at chapter 4.3.3 Finding a job) One passport type photograph or colour copy of the same. Bank account number (with proof such as a check card or a bank statement). Social insurance identification ( Sozialversicherungsausweis for more information look at chapter 4.3.3 Finding a job) Health insurance identification (chip card). Valid residence or working permit Participation fee of 24 per semester Please notice that a good comprehension of German is required for more specialized jobs. For more information look at language skills in chapter 4.1.2. Our Location: Hardenbergstraße 34 Ground-floor, rear house 10623 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30-939 39-90 33, Fax: -9031 Office hours: Mo Fri: 8:30 15:45, Thu: 8:30 17:45 Income Tax Office: Mo + Fri: 9:00 12:00, Tue: 13:00 15:45, Thu: 14:00 17:45, Wed closed We even have an online job database: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/jobs/datenbank 1.1.4 Counselling, support and chi ld day-care Beratung, Unterstützung und Kitas Success as a student depends to a large extent on the conditions you face. Our Counselling and Support Office is there to help students deal with the special problems they confront. We provide... Counselling and practical support - also in English Counselling and support for students with social problems, like study financing. 11
Welcome to Berlin Counselling to help all students overcome personal problems in times of crisis and during exams. Special counselling, support and practical help for disabled and chronically ill students. Support for pregnant students and student parents in providing child day-care 1.1.4.1 Social counselling Sozial beratung How do I finance my studies or the end of my studies? Do I have claims regarding the social law? What do I do in case of trouble with administrative bodies? What can I do when I am pregnant? Can I study and raise my children? Whatever questions you may have, come to the Sozialberatung. We provide support and give advice to all students of Berlin universities. We are often the first contact point for students and are here to help you. 12 During your studies, we offer: Financial advice regarding alimentations, jobs, state academic loans (BAföG), scholarships and student loans Support and counselling for students who are pregnant and for students with children Student loans Funds for students in distress and emergency situations Support and counselling for students who are in conflict situations Mentors for international students in student accommodations
Meditation for students that have conflicts with others Workshops and lectures Cultural offers (look at the Kulturkalender : www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/kulturelle_angebote/kulturkalender/) Sozialberatung services are free and we adhere to data protection legislation. We are based in Charlottenburg, Dahlem and Friedrichshain. If you d like to make enquiries about entitlements or loans, or would like some advice or counselling, come to our offices during consultation hours. You can email us for an appointment or telephone us as well. Contact: At the Technische Universität (TU): Hardenbergstraße 34 10623 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 8403/ -5/ -6 sozialb.hardenbergst@studentenwerk-berlin.de At the Freie Universität (FU): Thielallee 38 Room 202-204 14195 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 9022/-9024 sozialb.thielallee@studentenwerk-berlin.de Near the Humboldt Universität (HU): Franz-Mehring-Platz 2 2 nd Floor 10243 Berlin (Friedrichshain) Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 8437/ -8440 sozialb.f-mehring-pl@studentenwerk-berlin.de 1.1. 4.2 Psychological and Psychotherapeutic Counselling Psychologisch-Psychotherapeutische Beratung Beginning studies, ending them, changing faculties or institutions, and taking exams are challenging experiences. Changes like leaving home and country, being a foreigner, moving to a new town or a new apartment, separation from a partner; also lingering circumstances like loneliness, isolation, problems with a partner or parents, can be seriously stressful. We help in various situations: Learning difficulties Fear of exams; Social inhibition Depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, poor selfesteem, and severe emotional crises. In our counselling we help you develop an individual solution to your problem. Sometimes a single individual session is adequate. Or, you might decide that a short term therapy focusing on your problem is more appropriate. You could also choose to participate in one of our various thematic groups. 13
Welcome to Berlin Counselling is free of charge and available in English. We are obligated to maintain total confidentiality. Contact: Hardenbergstraße 34 10623 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 84 01 E-mail: beratung@studentenwerk-berlin.de Franz-Mehring-Platz 2 2 nd Floor 10243 Berlin (Friedrichshain) Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 84 38 E-mail: beratung@studentenwerk-berlin.de 1.1.4.3 Counselling for students with disabilities Beratung für Studierende mit Behinderung und chronischer Erkrankung It is our goal to assure appropriate conditions and equal opportunities at the universities and the Studentenwerk. The Studentenwerk s Counseling Center has been working to improve conditions for disabled and chronically ill students at Berlin s academic institutions. Whom do we serve? We provide services to individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses who are studying or considering studying in Berlin. These include, besides students with mobility, visual or hearing impairment, those with serious chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Morbus Crohn Disease, cancer, HIV, rheumatism, diabetes and epilepsy. We provide confidential, unbureaucratic, prompt and socially responsible assistance to those seeking help. Of course we are obligated to confidentiality. 14 We provide counselling and support: in matters regarding social law for people with disabilities by arranging assistance for study and everyday matters, and its financing by giving technical and personal assistance in dealing with government offices and institutions in overcoming personal problems and crises for psycho-social questions We are also responsible for making integration assistance (Integrationshilfe) as defined by Berlin s Hochschulgesetz available to disabled students. Applications for integration assistance, study assistants, book grants or special equipment for the disabled can be filed at any time.
Contact: At the FU Thielallee 38 14195 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 90 20 beh.beratung.thielallee@studentenwerk-berlin.de At the TU Hardenbergstraße 34 10623 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 84 16 beh.beratung.hardenbergst@studentenwerk-berlin.de In the near of HU Franz-Mehring-Platz 2 10243 Berlin Phone: +49 (0)30 939 39 84 41/84 42 beh.beratung.f-mehring-pl@studentenwerk-berlin.de 1.1.4.4 Student tutors in student accommodations Wohnheimtutoren The Wohnheimtutoren are a team of 18 international and German students, who have lived in Berlin for some time and would like to pass on their experience to you. On behalf of the Studentenwerk they answer your questions or assist you in case of difficulties. If you have questions about life in your student residence have difficulties of any kind with your fellow residents don t know where to go with special questions don t feel comfortable in Germany feel free to contact our Wohnheimtutoren. You can find your tutor on our page: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/wohnen/studentische_ wohnanlagen/hilfe_unterstuetzung/wohnheimtutoren If you want to rent a student accommodation please contact the accommodation administration (chapter 1.1.2). Furthermore there is a special offer for Chinese students and students from the Arabic region. They can contact: the Chinese tutor Nan Yang. E-mail: n.yang@studentenwerk-berlin.de the Arabic region tutor Tariq Masoud. E-mail: t.masoud@studentenwerk-berlin.de Tariq Masoud student tutor for students from the arabic region: In su ch a developed country, where everything always tends to be better, you have to expect more work and requirements in order to adjust with the fast tempo of life and not feel strange with the atmosphere. 15
Welcome to Berlin 1.1.4.5 Child day Care Kita We provide: Our centres are primarily for the children of students of the universities in Berlin, but we also provide care for children of the relatives, the visiting scientists and the stipendiary students. We offer a qualified and loving full-time care for children from the age of 8 weeks old till the age of school enrolment. We are located: at Technische Universität Berlin at Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht (Campus Schöneberg) at Universität der Künste/ Technische Universität Berlin at Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin at Freie Universität We stand for: Our locations are in a green environment and each of our kindergartens has its own playground. We provide bright, friendly and well equipped rooms where children can feel comfortable. Our staff keeps the standards that the City of Berlin has established. We, therefore, set great value on the qualification and further training of our staff. The kindergarten provides you with possibilities to get in touch with others and build up social contacts. We attach great importance to a good, trustful collaboration with parents to let our institutions offer a family-friendly environment of education. Costs The costs are subsidized partly by the state. In order to benefit from this you must apply for a voucher (Betreuungsgutschein) at the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) of your city district. The actual monthly amount that parents must pay is calculated in accordance to the number of children, how many hours children stay in the centre and to the income of the parents. Contact Visit our homepage for addresses, phone numbers and E-mail addresses of our child day care centers: www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/kita/kontakt Or send an E-mail to: kita@studentenwerk-berlin.de 16
2. Tips and tric ks to deal with Germans Instruction manual for the Germans (not to be taken too seriously ) Congratulations, you own a unique new German life. First of all turn on Power! and make sure that the procedure will follow the schedule. Everything will be self-explanatory as long as you remain in the beer garden. Enjoy. More than a thousand years of history, starting at the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nations to the modern, vivid democracy in the hearth of Europe nowadays, shaped this nation. German language, culture and German habits might vary substantially from those of your home country. That s why we want to introduce you to some German specialties in this chapter. But we would like to ask you not to generalize these cultural standards or to stereotype. Societies are changing and so it s always important to distinguish typical characteristics of a person and typical characteristics of a culture. Therefore probably the most important thing is self-reflection and the understanding of one s own roots. It s obvious that you can t run things by the book, but it can indeed be helpful to get hints for daily interaction. German cultural characteristics Cut to the chase In a professional context concentration on the problem, the facts and circumstances is most important. To get to the point is most often requested. A tidy house, a tidy mind There are many rules and restrictions in Germany that regulate daily life. Following these rules is an unspoken assumption. Improvisation is not highly regarded in this sphere. What goes around comes around The majority of Germans follow the rules without extra control. Reliability and responsibility are two of the most appreciated German values. Time is money Germans are used to observing the rules, so it s no wonder that life is structured in timetables. To obey the timetable and to be punctual are expressions of respect. If once in a while a timetable doesn t work out, a new one will be created immediately. You shouldn t mix business with pleasure In Germany it s common to separate the areas of life. Friendships among fellow students are not taken for granted. They develop 17
Tips and tricks to deal with Germans more likely out of the free time than in the lectures. Among strangers it s uncommon to talk about private life as in friendships, which are characterized by openness. To let the facts speak for themselves The German line of argumentation aims to convince a partner by facts and logical consequences. Things are meant like they are said and said like they are meant. Self do, self have... Germany is an individualistic culture. Independence and selfreliance are important values. So everyone takes responsibility for his/her own life, decisions and failures. Generally speaking, the Germans regard themselves as modest, rather ordinary sort of people. Give them a beer, a wurst, a bit of Gemütlichkeit (cosiness) and another German with whom to argue politics or bemoan the stress of life, and they will be content. They are not greedy, do not expect something for nothing, and pay their bills on time. Simple, honest folk. The Germans like to dream, see themselves as romantic. Not in a Mediterranean flowery-compliments-and-bottom-pinching way, but in the stormy genius mode. Xenophobe s Guide to the Germans Oval Books, 2008 ISBN-10: 1906042330 ISBN-13: 978-1906042332 Voc Vocabulary Barbecue Beer Car Curried sausage Garden gnome Highway Multicultural mix Punctuality Television tower The (Berlin) Wall Grillen / Grillparty Bier Auto PKW Currywurst Gartenzwerg Autobahn Multikulti Pünktlichkeit Fernsehturm / coll. Telespargel Die (Berliner) Mauer 18
3. Universities and structure of studies 3.1 Structure Universities in Germany are apportioned into seminars and institutes. Those seminars and institutes work fairly independently and have their own departments. That means that those parts of the university can be located in different parts of a building or within different districts of the city, like the campuses of the Humboldt Universität located in the district of Mitte and Treptow-Köpenick. 3.1.1 The academic year The academic year is split into two semesters: The summer semester (Sommersemester) from April to September and the winter semester (Wintersemester) from October to March. 3.1.2 Timetable Most courses of studies provide a timetable with more or less options of changing lectures and seminars. For further information about what options you have, look in your conditions of study (Studienordnung) or ask your department of studies. At the beginning of your studies an orientation event will give you guidelines and help you with your timetable. Once you have fixed your timetable you have to sign into the courses mostly online. A complete list of all lectures and seminars with the name of the teachers and professors is available online or printed in a listing called Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis. 3.2 StuPa The StuPa (Studierendenparlament) is a resolution passing organ of the student body that is elected once a year by the students. StuPa is composed of StuPa members, is responsible for preparing, organizing and chairing the StuPa plenum s public meetings. The StuPa oversees student body finances and is also responsible for the election and supervision of the general student council (AStA). Each year a considerable sum of money is collected through your fees to the student body. Those funds have to be sensibly managed and used. A part of the money goes to the student organizations of the various faculties (Fachschaften). Some is used to provide social services, like student counselling, as well as for loans and guarantees for students in financial difficulty. In addition there are yearly disbursements for political education, university activities and events, as well as for cultural events and for investments. 3.3 AStA The AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss) is a self-governed working organ of the student body that is elected yearly by the Stu- Pa and represents the interests of the students at the universities and in society. It is called the ReferentInnen Rat (RefRat) at Humboldt University. Therefore the AStA/RefRat represents the student 19
Universities and structure of studies body externally. AStA/RefRat is comprised of sections (Referaten) established according to subject and field of work: social matters, academic politics, public relations, cultural affairs, ecology and environment, gay and lesbian matters, coordination among student academic faculty organizations, international affairs, etc.. The AStA offers students counselling in matters of those topics. So feel free to contact your AStA if you have any demands. 3. 4 General student counselling The general student counselling offers information and counselling for students and prospective students ahead of the studies, during the studies and at the end of the studies. Contents of the general student counselling are: Counselling for degree courses, structural information of degree courses and degrees, preconditions for admission and information for changing degree courses. 3. 5 International Office The International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) is one of the most important institutions for international students. It will help you plan your studies in Germany from the beginning to the end and will support you in many questions. Here you will be provided with information for the first days of your stay in Germany. You will also find instructions on how to enrol at the university, how to find a fitting accommodation and/or how to apply for a residence permit at the Alien Registration Office. 3. 6 International Clubs There are two international clubs: One of the Freie Universität and the international club of the HU called Orbis Humboldtianus (to contact see lists of universities in chapter 6). They offer various recreational opportunities, language programs and in addition, the Orbis Humboldtianus offers a visa-service. Beyond that there are many more international associations at the universities in Berlin (see chapter 4.3.4). Some are transnationally oriented, others determined by a special nation or for religious students. The international clubs and associations are a good way to get in contact and interact with students from all over the world and make new friends. If you have special questions you will find answers here. You can find more information regarding the structure of universities from the DAAD: www.daad.de/deutschland/wege-durchs-studium/studienverlauf/06101.en.html Vocabulary 20 Voc Lecturer Lecture Tutorial Dozent Vorlesung Übung