Semester abroad
Are you planning a semester abroad ? Then you should consider these questions in advance...
Do I go abroad as a free mover or through the Erasmus program?
Erasmus is a European Union student exchange program that aims to promote collaboration with European universities. One or two semesters abroad can be supported through this program. If you go to another European country with Erasmus, you don't have to pay any tuition fees and you will be granted a mobility grant for the trip. As a free mover, you can freely choose where you want to study and apply directly to your dream university abroad, although this path is a little more rocky. Because not only is the financial effort often greater, but also the effort required for preparation.
Where can I get advice about studying abroad for a semester?
Nowadays every German university has an International Office (AAA) or International Office. Information brochures and themed evenings are offered here. The staff can also inform you about existing collaborations with other universities abroad and give you individual advice. Experience reports are also made available to you here. The addresses of the international academic offices are recorded in the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) database. The DAAD ( http://www.daad.de ) also offers information and advice on semesters abroad.
How much preparation time should I allow?
You should start preparing at least a year in advance, more likely 1.5 years. The application deadline for most countries is 6 months before the start of the respective semester.
Leave of absence?
You must take a leave of absence from your home university for the time abroad. There is a special form that you should fill out. The exact regulations for a semester off can vary from university to university.
Will I continue to be enrolled in Germany?
To ensure that you do not lose your right to your study place, you normally remain enrolled in Germany.
Which country do I want to go to and is my course offered there?
Choose a country where you already have a fairly good command of the language. The USA, Great Britain, Spain and France are still the most popular. But Asia is also becoming more and more important for students. Once you have decided where you want to go, you can start looking for universities that offer suitable courses of study. You can usually find information about the individual courses on the homepage of the foreign university, as there are the most important explanations for each course. Sometimes the course has a different name, so you shouldn't necessarily limit yourself to the exact name of your degree program. If you get stuck on the homepage, you can also contact the relevant local International Office.
When is the best time?
For a bachelor's degree, the third semester is usually preferred and for a master's degree, the fifth semester is often preferred because you have already passed the intermediate exam by then.
What documents do I need for an application?
First of all: all documents are sufficient in simple form.
- Letter of motivation (Why did you choose this country/city/university, why should you be accepted…etc.)
- Letter of reference, written in the "I" form, assessing your skills and should be one A4 page (competent recommendation from a professor, teacher, employer)
- Performance overview - Transcript of Records
- CV and certificates (which confirm the information in the CV)
- Application form (online application is often possible)
- Language certificate (e.g. passed TOEFL test)
- Proof of financial independence (this is usually required in the USA, as tuition fees are quite high there. You must be able to prove financial support, for example from an authority, the institution that supports you with a scholarship, from your parents or from your house bank etc.; most universities provide forms for this). At some universities you can work on campus while studying. It is also possible to apply for BAföG abroad, even if you have not yet received BAföG.
Do I need a visa?
You can find out whether you need a visa on the homepage http://www.visabox.de , http://www.visafix.de , http://www.visumdienst.de or at the embassy of the destination country. The processing costs between 100 and 200 euros - this depends on the respective country. As soon as you have been accepted to a university abroad, you can apply for the visa.
Since a particularly large number of students are interested in spending a semester abroad in Australia, you can easily apply for your visa for Australia via this website with all the necessary information and explanations.
Do I need international health insurance?
In any case! It is best to protect yourself for every stay abroad with private health insurance, because many countries, such as the USA, do not have a social security agreement. If you become ill abroad, your own contributions for medical care and, if necessary, the costs of medically necessary repatriation are covered by foreign health insurance. Statutory health insurance companies are not allowed to cover the costs of return transport. If your statutory health insurance does not offer sufficient benefits for a semester abroad, we recommend that you seek advice from our partner BARMER GEK. If you are interested in the services of BARMER GEK, you can use our form, which you can find here. A student advisor from BARMER GEK will then contact you immediately.
Do I have to get vaccinated?
For example, at the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) ( http://www.crm.de ) you can find out whether and which vaccinations may be necessary.
Is my driving license valid abroad?
Within Europe there is usually no obligation to carry an international driving license with you. You can find out more about this on the ADAC website ( http://www.adac.de ). If necessary, you can apply for an international driving license at the road traffic office. You need a biometric passport photo and 15 euros.
passport
Check whether your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay abroad. If not, apply again at the Citizens' Office. This is now a so-called ePassport and contains your fingerprint. If you are under 24 years old, it costs 37.50 euros and is valid for 6 years. If you are over 24 years old, it costs 59.00 euros and is then valid for 10 years.
Flight
It is cheap (in the truest sense of the word) to book the flight as early as possible.
mobile phone contract
If you don't want to cancel your contract for this time, write to your mobile phone provider and ask them to cancel it. If you're lucky, they'll agree to it - if your cell phone contract has been in place for a long time and you've always paid on time. You can also inquire about international tariffs. Otherwise, it is better to terminate the contract and find out about options in the host country.
Apartment
You can either terminate your apartment or, if your landlord agrees, sublet it for this period. If you live in a shared apartment and are looking for a subtenant for your room, you should discuss this with the other roommates in advance.
Credit card?
The easiest and cheapest way is to apply for a credit card. For example, the /barclaycard-for-students is recommended here. There is also the option of opening an account abroad. Your bank may also cooperate with a foreign partner from whom you can withdraw money using your normal EC card without additional fees.
Where can I live?
Accommodation in student halls of residence at universities or student shared apartments in the area is very popular. Since these places are in high demand, you should apply as soon as possible. In addition, not every foreign university has a dormitory. There is also the option of staying with a host family. Or look around on the private housing market - which is of course usually much more expensive.
Are you planning a semester abroad? Then you should consider the following questions in advance.
