The International Office as a contact for international students

Support and advisory services

for international students
The International Office as a contact for international students
Image: B. Salheiser

It is very important to the Friedrich Schiller University Jena to provide good advice and support to its international students. Your academic success is important to us! You will find knowledgeable people to turn in the faculties and institutes, as well as in the administration department, who are always willing to help, also regarding social aspects. Immediately after your arrival and during your course, too, we offer you support, for example within the mentoring programme. If you experience difficulties, you can always turn to the International Office or to our ombudspersons.

  • 1. Our commitment to providing excellent support
    Logo Code of Conduct
    Logo Code of Conduct
    Image: DAAD

    In 2010, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena adopted the “National Code of Conduct for German Universities Regarding International StudentsExternal link”. This code is designed to ensure that international students are offered good support and that the quality of this support is continuously improved. It establishes a set of minimum quality standards of studies for international students for German universities regarding information, marketing, admissions, support, and follow-up support on which international applicants can rely.

  • 2. Advice from the International Office

    If during your studies you ever need any help, or have any questions, problems or financial concerns, please contact Dr. Britta Salheiser in the International Students section of the International Office. There are other establishments and institutes in Jena that support foreign citizens. Here are their addresses and contact details.pdf, 101 kb · de

  • 3. Expert advice on the organisation of studies

    If you have any questions related to the organisation of studies, you are recommended to contact the specialist advisor for your programme of studyExternal link.

    If you have any questions related to the subject content of your courses, contact your lecturer directly.

    If you have any questions related to registration or de-registration for courses or examinations, contact the Examinations Office. All contacts can be found in the  description of your study programme.

    Tips and advice on your field of study are also available from the subject-specific student representative committee, which represents students in the institution/faculty.

  • 4. Careers advice

    The Career Point of the University advises all students on finding a job or internship, formulating application documents, and the legal requirements for working. 

    We especially recommend taking part in the Career Planning Certificate programme which offers structured guidance.

  • 5. Legal advice service, social advice service, psychosocial advisory service

    The Thuringia Students’ Union offers free advice for students in the following areas: legal advice service, social advice service, psychosocial advice serviceExternal link. Be sure to make good use of these advisory services! Many students already do and find that they help to deal with problems.

    There a law students giving advice: paralegalExternal link.

    The Mental Health First Aid helps you cope with difficult situations.

  • 6. Ombudspersons for international students
    Ombuds persons
    Ombuds persons
    Image: Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU

    Dear international students,
    do not hesitate to contact us. We would be glad to help you!

    Prof. Dr Erika Kothe
    +49 (0)3641 - 949291
    erika.kothe@uni-jena.de

    Prof. Dr Andreas Gebert
    +49 (0)3641- 938550
    andreas.gebert@med.uni-jena.de

    How can the ombudspersons help you?

    They…

    • listen to you if you have problems, are discriminated against or suffer from harassment.
    • conduct a safe, comfortable and confidential one-on-one discussion with you outside formal channels.
    • analyse conflicts and problems objectively and impar­tially.
    • offer innovative and informal, cooperative rather than confrontational, solutions, and try to find them together with you.
    • provide valuable advice and guidance for successful problem-solving.
    • mediate impartially in case of conflicts with other university members or institutions.
    • collect complaints and enable the dialogue between students and the University.
  • 7. Diversity Office

    Everyone at the university should be free to pursue their work or studies, irrespective of their ethnic background, their sex, their gender identity, their sexual orientation, their religion or worldview, a disability, their age, their family responsibilites or their socio-economic background.

    Should you have been put at a disadvantage or been discriminated against for any of these reasons, then please get in contact with the Diversity Office. People there will listen to your story, offer you advice and – if appropriate, and only with your explicit permission – take the matter up with the university authorities.

    More about diversity at the University of Jena

  • 8. Jena office for victims of discrimination

    The contact pointExternal link advises people who have become victims of discrimination in Jena or have experienced discrimination in Jena.

    You can notify them about cases of discrimination hereExternal link.

  • 9. Frequently asked questions

    You may find many answers in our

Information

Got any more questions? Or are you facing a problem? Please contact Dr Britta Salheiser, Team International Students of the International Office.

Learn more