Support for International Students Starting Their Studies

Are you a first-year international student beginning a bachelor’s degree or state examination program at the University of Bonn? The International Office offers a variety of programs under its “Lead-in Studies at the University of Bonn – Support and Integration (LISSI)” project to help you during the initial phase of your studies.

About the Project

Many first-year international students face challenges when beginning their studies. The “LISSI” project offers events that help you learn a structured approach to planning and carrying out your studies during this initial phase. These include specialized language courses, workshops on organizing your studies and talks on topics such as labor law and residence law.

To make this initial period easier, international bachelor’s students and state examination students in the 1st to 6th semesters of their programs can participate in online events, specialized language courses and activities to help with integration.

The project is also aimed at University departmental and administrative employees and students in higher semesters who provide advice and support for first-year international students.

Topic Areas

The project to help students begin their studies offers the following events:

Talks and workshops on organizing and planning your studies
Information on residency and life in Germany
Specialized language courses
Talks and workshops for employees and students who provide advice and support for first-year international students

Events for International Bachelor’s and State Examination Students

The project offers a variety of events, such as talks, workshops and specialized language courses, to help you during the initial stage of your studies. The events are aimed at international bachelor’s students and state examination students in the 1st to 3rd semesters of their programs.

All workshops and other events will be held in German (clarifying questions in English are possible).

You can find the current program on eCampus. Please note that a Uni-ID is required for registration.

Program and Registration

Study Organization and Planning

As international students beginning their studies you face many challenges and much that is new. A talk is held to inform you of general regulations needed to successfully complete your program of studies.

Workshops that provide tools for self-organization, presentations and academic writing are offered to help meet the demands of a new learning situation at a university that require a high degree of independence.

Current workshops:

Academic writing (december 2023)
Self-organization and time management during your studies (november and december 2023 )
Presenting and expressing yourself in talks and presentations (december 2023)
Learning to learn (November 2023)

Your Stay in Germany

People who come to Germany should take advantage of the opportunity to get to know how people live and think here. We present organizations and activities that can bring you into contact with other students and people involved.

Current talks:

Successful together – Dein Studium(-sverlauf) an der Uni Bonn (April 20, 2023, and April 25, 2023, International Club, 4:00 - 6:00 pm)
Discover your Challenges and Opportunities - Studium in Bonn (May 08, 2023, International Club, 4:00 - 6:00 pm)
Finanzierung des Studiums in Bonn für Studierende aus Nicht-EU Ländern - Keep the Money Coming in (June 07 2023, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, online)

Specialized Language Courses

Specialized language courses are offered in three academic areas for improving German language skills.

Be aware, limited places, the "first come, first serve" principle applies.

Current specialized language courses:

The specialised language courses for 2023 are still being planned and will take place in the winter semester 2023/2024.

Specialized language course in Natural Sciences (probably Tuesdays, 04:00 - 06:30 pm)
Specialized language course Law and Economics (probably Mondays, 04:00 - 06:30 pm)
Specialized language course Social and Human Sciences (probably Mondays, 04:00 - 06:30 pm)

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

Events for Employees and Students

The number of international students at the University of Bonn has increased in the last ten years. As part of the project, we would like to invite University departmental and administrative employees who advise first-year international students to participate in an information exchange.

Planned events:

Exchange of information and needs for employees of the administration / from the departments (March 08, 2023, 10-11 am, online and March 14, 11:30-12:30am, online)
Exchange of information for student body of an academic departments (called "Fachschaften", March 15, 2023, International Club, 4:00 - 6:00 pm and March 23, 2023, International Club, 4:00 - 6:00 pm)

Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service

Advice on academic orientation, study doubts, choosing what to study, application and enrollment and career opportunities and perspectives is available from the Central Student Advisory Service here.