Preliminary considerations for a stay abroad
Stays abroad open up a wide range of opportunities and enrich not only one's CV but also personal growth. Employers increasingly value candidates with international experience as it indicates openness, adaptability and intercultural competence. By spending time in different countries, you gain valuable experience, broaden your horizons and develop skills that are essential in today's globalised workplace.
The exchange programme with Paderborn University's partner universities offers students the opportunity to spend a semester abroad under privileged conditions and with support. Find out more here about important preliminary considerations from an academic and personal perspective and about the advantages of the partner university exchange programme.
There are various options to choose from when studying abroad. Depending on your personal interests and goals, there are various options to consider. Studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself in a different culture and gain new academic perspectives. Those who want to gain practical experience, on the other hand, can consider an internship abroad. Another option is to take part in shorter stays (e.g. a summer or winter school), which offer intensive courses and intercultural exchange. Ultimately, it depends on which type of stay abroad best suits your own needs and goals.
When deciding to study abroad, it is advisable to remain open to different countries. By not limiting yourself to one particular country, you open up a wide range of possibilities. We would like to point out that the language of instruction at our partner universities is not always limited to the national language. In fact, many of our partner universities also offer a wide range of courses in English. You can find out which languages of instruction are available and whether there are certain entry requirements at the respective partner university (e.g. GPA etc.) in our partner university portal.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you obtain an official language certificate in good time. See the note on language certificates in the application documents.
Ultimately, however, the answer also depends on individual preferences, goals and interests. Some prefer to go to a country where they already speak the language or want to improve their language skills. Others are curious about completely new cultures and would like to explore a country that is previously unknown to them. Some choose a country that has particularly renowned universities or research institutions for their department. You can find inspiration in our partner university portal . Get a comprehensive overview, keep an open mind and remain open to new opportunities.
English and Romance Studies: If you wish to have your stay abroad recognized as a 3-month compulsory stay, please enquire in advance which countries and national languages are accepted.
When deciding to study abroad, the question often arises: How long do I want to spend abroad? There are various options to choose from, such as stays during the semester break, for one or two semesters.
However, it is important to remember that longer stays abroad can offer numerous advantages. A longer period gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself more deeply in the culture, familiarise yourself better with everyday life as a student and develop a deeper understanding of the host country. You will have more time to make new friends, get involved in the local community and really feel at home. Longer stays abroad also allow you to significantly improve your language skills and gain in-depth training in your department. You will have the chance to build a broad network and make international contacts that may prove valuable in the long term.
We therefore encourage you to consider the possibility of a longer stay abroad. This will open up a world of new experiences, personal growth and professional opportunities. Take the opportunity to broaden your horizons and dare to stay abroad for longer.
A shorter stay abroad can still make sense, as it is flexible and can be easily integrated into your own study plan. Semester breaks or a single semester abroad allow you to gain international experience without taking too much time away from your regular studies. This can be particularly beneficial for students with a tight schedule or specific academic requirements. You may not have the opportunity to participate in longer stays for personal or family reasons. In addition, a shorter stay abroad can also serve as a stepping stone. It can help you explore the benefits of an international study experience and give you the opportunity to decide whether you would like to plan a longer stay abroad in the future.
For some degree programmes, there are special time slots or phases in which it is particularly advantageous to plan a stay abroad. This information can be obtained directly from the programme directors, the relevant academic advisors or study offices in your faculty. They are usually familiar with the specific requirements and possibilities of the respective degree programme and can give you valuable advice on how to integrate a stay abroad into your course of study.
It is advisable to plan your course selection and curriculum in advance when integrating a stay abroad into your degree programme. In this way, you can ensure that the credit points earned and coursework completed abroad can be properly integrated into your degree programme. See also: Recognition.
When looking for a suitable partner university, you may also want to consider whether the courses on offer match your current degree programme. You have the following options for researching this in advance:
- Enquire on the homepage of the university of your choice and see if you can find current course catalogues as a guide. Of course, the courses on offer change from semester to semester, but this will give you an initial indication.
- To get a more personal impression, you can read the experience reports of students who have already completed an exchange at the university. These can be found in the detailed view of the contracts in the partner university portal.
- Furthermore, each partner university has a departmental coordinator in the faculty at UPB who may have experience with the course offer at the partner university. You can also find these contacts in the partner university portal.
The semester times abroad are usually different from ours. If there are major differences, there may be semester overlaps with UPB. You must expect this and take it into account in your planning. If the semester times of your host university overlap with those of UPB and you are therefore unable to take examinations, for example, we recommend that you make individual arrangements with your faculty and the lecturers of your courses. There are no university-wide regulations for this case. However, you must be at the partner university at the beginning of the semester abroad.
UPB's application procedure always uses the terms WiSe and SoSe, as our own systems are designed for these semester types. Other terms are used abroad (e.g. Autumn semester, Fall semester or Winter semester and Spring semester or Summer semester). Please do not be confused by this. Semester periods abroad between July and February correspond to an application for the winter semester and semester periods between January and July correspond to an application for the summer semester. The exact semesters in which we are allowed to send exchange students to the partner universities are determined by contract. Therefore, please research the semester periods of your chosen universities in advance.
The DAAD provides an overview of the European university terms.
We would like you to be aware that studying abroad involves increased costs. Depending on which country you go to, the cost of living can vary greatly from the German standard. It is good and important to take this information into account when preparing for your trip and to discuss financing options in good time.
Even though you are exempt from tuition fees at all of our partner universities (tuition waiver), you may be required to provide proof of certain financial resources in advance as a guarantee (e.g. through a sponsor or blocked account). Outside Europe, this can amount to several thousand euros per semester.
Other fees (such as application fees, administration fees), material costs, visa or health costs (e.g. insurance, compulsory vaccinations or check-ups) are also not included in the tuition fee waiver and must be paid by you. Accommodation costs, living expenses and travel are also to be paid by the students themselves.
These financial aspects should not discourage you from studying abroad, but should help you to make a well-considered decision that is right for you before submitting an application.
Key considerations
When considering how to finance a stay abroad, there are various options and resources that can be pursued, sometimes in combination. For most students, it is important to have a solid financial foundation in place before embarking on their journey. However, applying for scholarship programmes can be a lengthy process. It is important to be aware of this and to consider several options to be on the safe side.
Financial support can help you cover the costs of your stay, such as administrative fees (pure tuition fees do not apply to partners), accommodation, travel tickets, visa fees, health checks or living expenses. In some countries, it is also common for universities to require proof of financial resources as a guarantee of solvency before the start of the semester.
Scholarship programmes
The International Office offers scholarship programmes (mainly Erasmus+ or PROMOS) that are specifically aimed at students who wish to study abroad. Attractively, the Erasmus+ scholarship (European area) is already linked directly to acceptance for an exchange semester at a partner university. You do not need to apply separately for this. For PROMOS (non-European area), applications can be submitted twice a year.
Apart from the International Office, there are of course many more scholarship programmes, both state and private, e.g. within organisations, foundations or at the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). It is worth being resourceful and doing some research here. You will need to check the respective scholarship conditions to find out whether the individual programmes can be combined.
Further financing options
There are also other options, such as education loans, BAf?G for studying abroad, financial support from education funds or opportunities for part-time work abroad (depending on the country).
Explanations and conditions for all of the options mentioned can be found on our homepage on funding, where you will also find links to other scholarship databases.
With careful planning and an early search for financing options, you can successfully realise your plans for a stay abroad.
A stay abroad always means dealing with new circumstances and situations, enduring the unknown and growing from it. Of course, this is not only an administrative challenge, but also an emotional one, which many students have subsequently perceived as a great personal development.
When preparing to go abroad, you need to be well organised. You must gather detailed information, review your options and take a timely and orderly approach. Even though you have the advantage of the International Office and your faculty being at your side and the processes being more guided when you participate in a partner university exchange, you still have a lot of personal responsibility, especially in the last few months before your stay when many steps have to be taken in parallel or in a short period of time, and sometimes short-term problems have to be solved. All of this is completely normal; it is just good to be prepared for it early on and to accept the challenge.
Beyond the bureaucracy, however, it is equally understandable that temporarily changing your life also brings other considerations. You leave friends, family or partners behind for a certain period of time, you may have to give up your flat or job for this period, and the new environment and the people you meet abroad are still a big unknown until you actually arrive. At first glance, all these factors can cause uncertainty, which is why it is important to talk openly with your loved ones and seek their support, as uncertainty can lead to wonderful opportunities.
Remember that you are not the only person spending a semester abroad; at your partner university, you will meet other incoming students who are in the same situation as you and with whom you can exchange thoughts and experiences. In addition, many partner universities have welcome services, buddy programmes and local contact persons who will support you and be there for you, especially in the early days.
Social media has made it much easier to stay in touch today, not only in your private life, but also with us at the International Office. Our office hours are deliberately held via Zoom so that you can always connect with us, even from abroad.
Yes.
Going abroad with child(ren) often presents students with organisational challenges. The Paderborn University Family Office offers qualified support in the planning and realisation of stays abroad for student (and doctoral) parents.
In addition to organisational issues, financial aspects also play a major role. The Erasmus+ programme offers additional funding options, as does the Auslands-BAf?G with child supplement.
Planning a stay abroad with a disability? Definitely possible with the right support! Experience abroad and in-depth language skills are desired by many employers when hiring university graduates, and in some cases even required. Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses should therefore plan a period of study abroad or an internship abroad from the outset as part of their degree programme and prepare well, even if this is not mandatory. In order to obtain all the necessary information and meet application deadlines, it is best to start planning two years in advance.
Funding options
For students with a disability, the Erasmus+ programme offers the possibility of additional financial support in the form of a top-up grant. A real cost application can also be submitted online. This can be used to reimburse additional costs incurred abroad due to the disability.
Counselling
While the International Office can provide you with general information on the various forms of study abroad, the partner universities and advice on organisation, Paderborn University's Representative for Students with Disabilities is available to take your specific needs into account in the planning process.
Grunds?tzlich ist in den Arbeitsvertr?gen der Hilfskr?fte die Universit?t Paderborn als Dienstort festgelegt. Eine Besch?ftigung aus dem Ausland ist aufgrund steuer- und sozialversicherungsrechtlicher Vorgaben nicht zul?ssig. Daher wurde entschieden, dass für Hilfskr?fte keine Arbeit aus dem Ausland m?glich ist.
Sollten Sie w?hrend eines laufenden Arbeitsverh?ltnisses ins Ausland gehen wollen, ist dies nur m?glich, wenn das Besch?ftigungsverh?ltnis für diese Zeit ruht oder unterbrochen wird. In solchen F?llen kann es eine M?glichkeit sein, das Arbeitsverh?ltnis zu beurlauben oder es nach der Rückkehr neu aufzunehmen.
Falls Sie hierzu Fragen haben oder eine individuelle Kl?rung ben?tigen, stehen Ihnen die zust?ndigen Ansprechpersonen im Personaldezernat gerne zur Verfügung.
