International Days 2026
October 19 – 21, 2026
Once again, this year’s International Days at the University of Bonn will be devoted to excellent students and researchers, international partnerships and intercultural dialogue. The program offers a variety of highlights. Look forward to the France Roundtable and the opportunity to interact personally with the Bonn University Ambassadors. A new photo exhibition will also be opening. Another highlight is the traditional presentation of the State Awards and the DAAD Prize. You’ll also have the chance to meet the new head of UN Women in Bonn. The event will conclude with a public event hosted by the Cologne-Bonn Academy in Exile on the topic of activism and academia.
Fancy seeing your artworks up on these walls?
If you are a member of the University and are interested in showcasing an art project with a strong international dimension on the walls of Leah’s World Café, please email a one-page concept paper to: prorektorat.internationales@uni-bonn.de
Come and meet the Bonn University Ambassadors
As former guest researchers of the University, our Bonn University Ambassadors are united their personal relationship with Bonn and by their desire to represent our institution well abroad. Ambassadors at universities in Australia, Brazil, Ghana, India, Jordan, Canada, and the United Kingdom will once again travel to Bonn this year for a joint workshop and a public networking event. This gathering is intended to further develop the program and build bridges for students to the rest of the world.
Ask an Ambassador: Chat, snack and discover your opportunities abroad
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Senate Hall, University Main Building
Event language: English
Our Bonn University Ambassadors are the ideal people to answer your questions about doctorates, research or teaching abroad from their own experience. At individual booths, they’ll introduce their respective home countries and institutions and answer your questions about academic exchanges and research collaborations. Learn more about study abroad programs and opportunities for collaboration abroad, and make direct connections for your next stay abroad or international partnerships!
This year you can meet…
Weitere Bonn University Ambassadors
Drop-in Sessions: Studying and Internships abroad
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Grand Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event languages: German and English
Interested in spending time abroad during your studies and keen to get an overview of your options? As part of the 2026 International Days, you are welcome to pop by the Grand Hall during the drop-in sessions and get some one-to-one advice.
Contact:
Hannah Scharf
Study Abroad Advisory Service / International Office, University of Bonn
Email: auslandsstudium@uni-bonn.de
Opening of the new Photography Exhibition Beyond Horizons at Leah’s World Café
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 01:30 – 02:30 PM
Venue: Leah’s World Café, Rabinstr. 8 (GF), 53111 Bonn
Event language: German, and possibly English
Register now for the opening of the photo exhibition
The new photo exhibition “Beyond Horizons – Where Your Studies Can Take You” at Leah’s World Café takes you on a journey across several continents. Through the photographs taken by Bonn students, you will gain personal insights into their time abroad. These creative photographs not only offer fascinating insights into life in different countries but also encourage reflection on the significance of international exchange. The photographs were submitted over the years to the photo contest held as part of the “Study and internships abroad” fair. Each one tells its own story of places, encounters, and experiences from around the world.
Presentation of the State Awards and the DAAD Prize
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: Beginning at 4:15 PM, followed by a reception
Venue: Grand Hall and Senate Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event language: English
Register now for the awards ceremony and reception
Once again this year, outstanding students and early-career researchers will be honored with the State Awards and the DAAD Prize. The State Awardsare sponsored by the governments of France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The keynote speaker for the event will be Abigail Erikson (Head of the new Global Office of UN Women in Bonn). In addition to other distinguished guests, the Bonn University Ambassadors will also attend the awards ceremony. The event not only honors our outstanding talents but also invites participants to engage in dialogue and network with key players in international scientific cooperation at the UN site in Bonn. Following the awards ceremony, there will be an opportunity for further discussion at a reception in the Senate Hall.
Keynote Lecture and Discussion hosted by the Cologne-Bonn Academy in Exile (CBA)
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Grand Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event language: English
The event will explore the relationship between academia and activism, as well as the role that scholars can play in social and political debates. Renowned Eastern European historian Prof. Dr. Martin Aust will deliver a keynote lecture titled “Activism and Academia: Historians and Russia’s War against Ukraine,” followed by a discussion.
The program at a glance
Round Table "France: Research, Teaching, and Collaboration"
Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Venue: P26 (1F), Poststr. 26, 53111 Bonn
Event language: German – and where appropriate: French
Access policy: Researchers, teaching staff, and technical and administrative staff; registration via email directly to the Centre Ernst Robert Curtius (CERC): cerc@uni-bonn.de.
Ask an Ambassador: Chat, snack and discover your opportunities abroad
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Senate Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event language: English
Access policy: Open to the public; register for the event now.
Drop-in Sessions: Studying and Internships abroad
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Grand Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event languages: German and English
Access policy: Open to students.
Opening of the new Photography Exhibition at Leah’s World Café
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Venue: Leah’s World Café, Rabinstr. 8 (GF), 53111 Bonn
Event language: German, and possibly English
Access policy: Open to the public; register now for the opening of the photo exhibition.
Presentation of the State Awards and the DAAD Prize
Date: October 20, 2026
Time: Beginning at 4:15 PM, followed by a reception
Venue: Grand Hall and Senate Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event language: English
Access policy: Open to the public; register now for the awards ceremony and reception.
Keynote Lecture and Discussion hosted by the Cologne-Bonn Academy in Exile (CBA)
Date: October 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: Grand Hall and Senate Hall, University Main Building (1F), Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Event language: English
Access policy: Open to the public; register for the event now.
We are truly international: global projects and initiatives
Internationality is one of the University of Bonn’s defining characteristics, and we routinely showcase some of our many varied international partnerships and projects during the International Days. Take a look at a few examples on this page and learn more about our strategic international partnerships and cooperation arrangements.
Looking back on the 2025 International Days
2025’s International Days focused once again on excellent students and researchers, international partnerships and intercultural dialogue. Alongside the presentation of the state awards and the DAAD Prize for exceptional early-career researchers, the Vice-Rectorate for International Affairs also hosted a wide range of events.
One of these, called Ask an Ambassador, gave interested students and researchers the chance to network with the Bonn University Ambassadors and chat about their plans to spend time abroad or possibilities for collaboration. Meanwhile, a workshop reserved for the ambassadors themselves provided a platform for discussing future prospects and potential partnerships between their home universities and the University of Bonn.
Information on filming and photography
During the International Days, the University of Bonn arranges for photographs to be taken and filming to be done. This will be published online, in printed media and on social media channels for the purpose of promoting its activities. Please speak to our photographers and filming team on site if you and/or your children do not wish to be photographed or filmed.
Contact:
Christopher Prinz
Marc Guschal
Our partners:
