Pro-Motion: Services for International Doctoral Students
Want to meet new people? Advance your academic career? Network? The International Office’s “Pro-Motion” project offers a comprehensive range of counseling and support services to help international doctoral students before and during their doctoral degrees and promotes intercultural skills, networking and integration.
Services at a Glance
- Peer Mentoring Program
- Career entry workshops
- Welcome meeting for new international doctoral students
- Online PhD Café
- Pro-Buddy program
- Scholarship program for international doctoral students at the University of Bonn
- Assistance with government authorities (upon request)
- German courses
- Intercultural training

Qualification and Further Training
We offer the following workshops and programs to assist and support you as you prepare for your career.
Peer Mentoring Program
This 6-month peer mentoring program assists international doctoral students from the beginning to successful completion of their doctoral degree while also promoting collaboration with colleagues and exchanging advice in the peer group. The group of at most 17 participants also meets regularly for coaching on a variety of topics, such as writer’s block, time management, supervision conflicts or publication challenges.
- When: starts on November 19, 2021, 09:00 am - 01:00 pm
- Language: English
- For whom: International doctoral students at the faculty of Natural and Agriculture Sciences
- Coach: L.Schoelen, A.Schultheis
- Program (PDF)
- Registration (email)
Career Entry Workshops
The workshops cover topics such as degree management, the job search and the German job market. They are designed for international doctoral students and provide opportunities for qualification and development.
Workshops and events
summer semester 2022
"Career planning strategies in & outside academia in Germany and beyond"
- When: July 1, 2022
09:00 am - 12:00 pm - Coach: L. Schoelen
- Program (PDF)
- Registration (email)
"Careers with a doctorate"
- When: June 15, 2022
02:00 pm -06:30 pm - Where: Poppelsdorfer Alle 47
- Program
- Registration
Other Workshops
- InterculturalTraining
- The “Doctorate Plus” qualification program by the Bonn Graduate Center
- Certificate of intercultural competence
Networking and Integration
The following programs give you the opportunity to network and meet German and international doctoral students.
Welcome Meeting
The Bonn Graduate Center and International Office offer a welcome meeting for the winter semester where new international doctoral students can meet new people and network, and information on counseling and support services is presented.
- Program
- When: December 07, 2022
- Contact: s.papel@uni-bonn.de
PhD Café
The PhD Café provides international doctoral students with an informal setting for networking and exchanging information.
- When: Every Friday at 06:00 pm
- Where: in presence and Zoom
- Registration (email)
Pro-Buddy Program
The Pro-Buddy program is for international and German doctoral students who want to make new contacts and improve their intercultural skills.
In this program, Bonn “Buddies” help new international doctoral students start their doctoral studies and get settled in Bonn.
Please submit applications up from November 2021.
International Doctoral Students at the University of Bonn
In this video, you will learn more about counselling and support services for international doctoral students and get an overview of important institutions and facilities at the University of Bonn.
Contact
Sandra Papel
0.001
Poppelsdorfer Allee 102
53115 Bonn (Germany)
Office Hours

The Pro-Motion project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the German Foreign Office.
Also see
Research in Germany
Information on research funding, career planning and tips for living in Germany.
Campus International
The Campus International program seeks to promote greater intercultural exchange at the University of Bonn.
No Worries Group
Meet fellow students and share experiences and concerns in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.