Guest:

Laura Kaden works in the International Office at the University of Jena. She advises prospective international students, checks applications and carries out the admission process for subjects with nationwide admission restrictions. She normally hosts this podcast. In this episode she is alone without a guest.

Timestamps:

00:45 1) Obtain information

03:20 2) Registration on the online portal: creaty only one account, register yourself, note your login data

04:35 3) Check your e-mails and the portal regularly & read every notification

05:30 4) Plan your next steps (and get started in good time)

06:25 5) Clarifying any questions

Shownotes:

Contact of the International Office: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/ib-internationalestudierende

The Migration Advisory Board of the City of Jena is elected by all migrants and represents their interests. Merve, who volunteers on the board, tells us exactly what it does and why getting involved is worthwhile.

Guest:

Merve Cilburunoglu Friedrich has been living in Jena for seven years. She works at the city’s Welcome Centre, is a student in Jena herself, and serves as an elected member of the City of Jena’s Migration Advisory Board.

Timestamps:

02:25 What ist he Welcome Centre and what are you doing there? 04:45 What is a Migration Advisory Board? 06:25 What are the tasks, the options and opportunities of such a board? 09:50 Who can vote? How can one be voted? 12:20 What was your motivation candidating? 13:50 How does a session and the general work of the board look like? Is it fun? 18:55 Would you recommend to others to get potically active and engage? 20:30 What is your favorite place in Jena? 21:25 Do ho have advice for new international students in Jena?

Shownotes:

·       European voluntary service: https://youth.europa.eu/go-abroad/volunteering_en

·       Youth centre „Polaris“: https://polaris-jena.de/

·       Volunteer Service „Bundesfreiwilligendienst“: https://www.bundesfreiwilligendienst.de/bundesfreiwilligendienst

·       Radio station „OKJ“: https://radio-okj.de/

·       Welcome Centre Jena: https://www.work-in-jena.de/en/welcome-center/services-for-skilled-workers/

·       Migration Advisory Board Jena: https://wahlen.jena.de/en/migration-advisory-board

·       Career Point at the University of Jena: https://www.career.uni-jena.de/en

·       Wilhelm Amo (the philosopher after whom a square Jena was named):  

·       Migrant communities and self organized groups: https://www.uni-jena.de/unijenamedia/382998/migrantische-communities-selbstorganisationen.pdf?nonactive=1&suffix=pdf

·       Students groups: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/545/free-time

Commitment in the University life: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/294107/student-commitment-inside-the-university

To gain a better understanding of German culture, we will examine the concept of “independence” or "autonomy" together with Prof. Christoph Vatter from Intercultural Business Communication. What role does it play in Germany and in the academic culture here? Why is this the case, and why is it different in other cultures? How can we deal with the challenges effectively, and what opportunities and advantages might there even be? At the same time, you will also gain a good insight into the subject of Intercultural Cusiness Communicaton.

Guest: 
Prof. Dr. Christoph Vatter holds the chair for Intercultural Business Communication at the University of Jena. 

Timestamps: 
02:40 What is done in the field/the subject „Intercultural Business Communication“? 04:40 What do we mean by the complex of „Autonomy“ or „Independence“? How does it relate to „Hospitality“? 06:10 Which role does it play in the academic culture? 08:40 How is the value of autonomy rooted in the German education model? 09:30 How does this look in other countries? 10:50 Why indepence can be a helpful skill? 12:35 What are the reasons that this value is very central in Germany? 14:25 What are the ideas behind the value of hospitality? 16:20 What are advantages of written information? 17:40 What are the chances and challanges of independence? 19:30 How does this cultural values influence social contacts? 20:00 What are your advice to handle the challanges of autonomy? 

Shownotes: 
•    Institute for Intercultural Business Communication: https://www.gw.uni-jena.de/28050/interkulturelle-wirtschaftskommunikation
•    Bachelor of Arts „Intercultural Business Communication“: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/6855/b-a-min-intercultural-business-communication 
o    Master of Arts „Intercultural Human Resource Development and Communication Management“: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/6325/m-a-intercultural-human-resource-development-and-communication-management 
•    Welcome Buddys & Mentoring Programmes: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2060/mentoring-programmes 
•    Welcome Days und WelcomeCafé: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/5395/welcome-days 
•    all information for international applicants and students: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/1905/studying-in-jena 
•    All Informations on the beginning of studies: https://www.uni-jena.de/1960/studienstart-international 
•    Support ans advisory services for all situations: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/1970/support-and-advisory-services 
•    Contact International Office: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2120/international-students-and-applicants 

With their semester contributions, students at the University of Jena also pay for the Cultura Ticket, which gives them free admission to museums, theatres, concerts and cinemas. Find out exactly how it works in this episode!

This podcast aims to show international students that studying psychology in Germany – especially in Jena – is challenging but possible, and that with curiosity, preparation, and openness, you can not only adapt but grow – both academically and personally.

Uni ambassador Solomiya talks about this with her Professor.

Host: Solomiya Strelbytska studies Psychology at Jena University. In her blog an on Instagram she reports about her experiences as an international student in Jena. 
Guest: Prof. Dr. Neyer is Professor of Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment at the Institute of Psychology at the university of Jena.

Timestamps: 
01:30 What is your perspective on Germany and Jena to study Psychology? 03:10 What are the differences to other cities? 04:30 Why is Jena so diverse culturally? 05:35 What is your personal connection to Jena? 08:30 Which spaces can you recommend? 10:20 What ist he KOMPASS research project? How does going abroad affact your personality? 12:10 How does the Psychology studies go for international students? 13:40 Is the german language a big factor when studying Psychology? 15:00 How do scientific and colloquial language relate to each other? 17:05 What is the significance oft he english language? 18:30 What ist he scientifiy approach to/in Psychology in Germany? 20:27 What are your Tipps for the preparation before studying in Germany? 22:50 Is the special perspective of international students a opportunity in the field of Psychology?  14:15 What are the support offer at univeristy of Jena? 26:05 How many (international) students are there? 26:40 What are your experiences with international students?

Shownotes: 
•    Study Psychology in Jena: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/6990/b-a-min-psychology 
•    The different departments at the Institute of Psychology: https://www.fsv.uni-jena.de/en/22714/departments 
•    Famous alumni of Jena University: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/109868/famous-university-teachers-and-students-from-the-history-of-the-university-of-jena-selection  
•    Schiller‘s garden house: https://www.gartenhaus.uni-jena.de/en 
•    History of the University of Jena: https://www.uni-jena.de/2425/geschichte 
•    Cafeterias in Jena: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/mensen/einrichtungen.html 
•    Uni Sports:  https://www.hochschulsport.uni-jena.de/en 
•    Research project „„KOMPASS – Mobilität und Identität“ https://www.perpsy.uni-jena.de/en/80/kompass 
•    Support Offers:
o    Campus Couch: https://www.uni-jena.de/119570/campuscouch 
o    Psychosocial Counselling: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/counselling/psycho-social-counselling/ 
o    Mental Health First Aid programme: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/58751/first-aid-with-mental-health-problems-mhfa 
•    Solomiyas online blog (German): https://www.uni-jena.de/309958/jubos-solomiya

Life doesn't always follow the textbook. But if you read between the lines, you'll learn a lot - that's what university ambassador Solomiya experienced when she started her studies in Jena.

Guest: 
Solomiya Strelbytska studies psychology at the University of Jena. She reports on her experiences as an international student in her blog and on Instagram.

Timestamps: 

01:00 Why did you choose Germany to study here? 02:20 What were your expectations about Germany? 03:40 How did you experience the reality in contrast to your expectations? 05:40 Which strategies helped you dealing with all challanges in the beginning? 07:15 How did you find friends? What helped you to feel like you belong? 10:40 How did you build an everyday life and set routines? 12:24 What are your recommendations for people who are thinking about studying in Germany? 15:35 How would you describe your experiences of the first semester in one sentence? 16:35 What is your favorite place in Jena? 17:20 What is your favorite library? 18:10 What is your favorite Mensa? 

Shownotes: 

•    Solomiya’s online blog: https://www.uni-jena.de/309958/jubos-solomiya 
•    Information on the beginning of your studies for international students: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/start-studying-international 
•    Life and free time in Jena – with some advice for the search for an accomodation: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/jena-living-international 
•    Welcome Buddy programme: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/welcomebuddyinternational 
o    Podcast episode on the Mentoring/Welcome Buddy programme: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/podcast-uni-jena-international#Mentoring 
•    International Centre („Haus auf der Mauer“): https://www.haus-auf-der-mauer.de/ 
•    WelcomeDays: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/welcomedays 
•    International Café: https://www.instagram.com/cafe.international.jena/ 
•    ESN Jena: https://jena.esn-germany.de/ 
•    Orientation Days: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/34738/orientation-days 
•    Discover Jena (360° tour): https://www.360.uni-jena.de/?lang=en 
•    University libraries in Jena: https://www.thulb.uni-jena.de/en/home 
o    Solomiya‘s favorite library „Thulb“: https://www.thulb.uni-jena.de/en/thulb/standorte/arts-and-humanities
o    Rent a study rooms: https://www.thulb.uni-jena.de/en/services/how-to-use-the-library/study-space/study-rooms 
•    Dining halls ("Mensa") in Jena: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/dining-halls/facilities.html 
o    Solomiyas‘s favorite canteen „Philomensa“: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/dining-halls/jena/mensa-philosophenweg.html
•    Contact the International Office: [email protected]

What does a diversity office do? - That's what this episode is about. We will find out talking to one of the university's diversity officers.

Guest:
Prof. Dr. David J. Green is our university's Diversity Officer since 2009. He comes from England, is a mathematician and and holds a professorship at the University of Jena since 2005.

Timestamps: 

01:20 What does „diversity“ mean? 02:05 What does „discrimination“ mean? 02:25 Is there discrimination at the unviersity? 02:55 Why is there a diversity office? 03:20 What are your tasks? What excactly are you doing in the diversity office? 03:45 What does „counselling“ mean for you? 04:35 Who can come to you to get counselling? 05:05 Are there any limits of your responsibility and options? 06:45 What is your advice for people who are unsure if something was discriminating and do not know if they should contact you? 07:52 
How is the procedure of the counselling? 09:25 In which languages is the counselling offered? And does it cost anything? 09:55 What can you do when someone experiences discrimination? 10:40 Whats is does the university do to promote diversity? 11:50 What would you say can each one of us do to strengthen a diverse and tolerant community at our university?

Shownotes: 
•    Website Diversity Office Uni Jena: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/29195/diversity-office 
•    The legal basic (Thüringer Hochschulgesetz von 2018): https://www.diversitaet-in-thueringen.de/rechtliche-grundlagen 
•    Events of the diversity office: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/61523/events 
•    Studierendenwerk Thüringen: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/ 
•    Anti-Discrimination office of the City of Jena: https://antidiskriminierung.jena.de/en 
•    Office of the Vice-President for University Community and Engagement:  https://www.uni-jena.de/en/285406/office-of-the-vice-president-for-university-community-and-engagement 
•    Contact options of the Diversity Office: 
o    Email: [email protected] 
o    Phone: +49 3641 9-400970
o    Anonymous reporting form: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/68893/reporting-form

It is not easy to get a place to study in the subjects with nationwide admission restrictions (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry). But even without a NC subject, you can pursue your career goals and become happy. University ambassador Soyee tells us how she succeeded.

Guest

Soyee Chan comes from Hong Kong and is studying Chemistry in her first semester at the University of Jena in the winter semester 2024/25. She is also a university ambassador and reports on her experiences as an international student in her blog (only German).

02:45 Was chemistry always your desired subject? 04:23 What does „admission restriction“ mean? 05:30 How many study places for international students are offeres for subjects with restricted admission? 06:42 For which subjects did you apply for? 07:15 Was is hard to find an alternative way for you? 08:10 Did expectations and pressure play a role in this decission? 09:12 How did it come that you chose to study Chemistry? 10:22 Why are you interested in Pharmacy? 13:21 Would you say that Chemistry is a good alternative (to Pharmacy)? 16:04 Did you end your dream about a pharmaceutical career? 18:08 Are you satisfied with your programme – even if this is not your desired subject?

In this episode, we take apart the long and complicated German word “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung” (university entrance qualification). - It determines whether you can study in Germany.

Guest

Laura Kaden works in the International Office at the University of Jena. She advises prospective international students, checks applications and carries out the admission process for subjects with nationwide admission restrictions. She normally hosts this podcast. In this episode she is alone without a guest.

00:56 What does „Hochschulzugangsberechtitung“ (university entrance qualification) mean? 02:01 What is a direct admission? 02:14 What is a subject related admission? 02:33 What are the options if the schopol leaving certificate does not give you direct or subject related admission? 03:38 When does one needs to visit the preparaty college? 04:23 When is the International Pathway Programme an option? 05:16 What happens if someone already finished a Bachelors degree? 05:39 How is the grade of the HZB calculated? 06:54 How can you find out your university entrance qualification for Germany?

The Internationale Office Jena offers digital preparation workshops for guest students. Talking with two administrators we get to know about the content of these workshops and what is needed for a good preparation for guest studies in Jena.

 Guests:

Sylvia Canario Acosta works at the International Office, in the department for international stdents. She is responsible for the Erasmus + programmearbeitet im International Büro im Bereich Incoming für das Gaststudium. Ihr Aufgabenbereich ist das Erasmus+ Programm. 
Susi Streit also works at the I. She administers and supports all exchange students from all over the world, except the european union. She herself spent two semesters abroad. That is why she can 
Course and exam administration is the field of Stefanie Müller, who is not in this podcast, but you get to know her in episode 5.

Timestamps:

01:55 I guess that there is a lot to do in preparation for an exchange semester, right? 07:15 What happens at your preparation workshops? 09:50 What are the most important steps to do beforehand? 11:55 Where do students get support? Who can I ask in case anything in still unclear? 13:10 What should be packed in one’s lagguage? 15:10 Which initial problems might appear that can be avoided through good preparation? 17:40 What is the WelcomeBuddy programme? 18:50 What are your advice for students before they come to Jena? 21:07 What do you recommend for the very first time after arrival? 22:50 Whats are the first and most important steps after arriving in Germany? 

Shownotes: 
•    Information on Guest studies at University of Jena: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/1955/guest-studies 
o    FAQ on Guest studies: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2190/faq-guest-studies 
o    subject specific coordinators: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2650/contact-and-subject-specific-coordinators
•    WelcomeBuddy programme: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2260/information-for-international-students  
o    Podcast episode on the WelcomeBuddy programme: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/63217/podcast#Mentoring 
•    Semester dates: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/220/semester-dates 
•    Application portal: https://friedolin2.uni-jena.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces
•    Dormitories in Jena: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/housing/residential-homes.html  
o    Podcast episode on accomodation: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/63217/podcast#E3housing
•    Information on Financing your studies and working while studying: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/2070/financing-your-studies 
o    Podcast episode on this topic: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/63217/podcast#Financing 
•    Study start and Enrolment: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/1960/start-studying-international-students 
o    Podcast Episode on enrolment: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/63217/podcast#Enrolment 
o    WelcomeDays and WelcomeCafe: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/5395/welcome-days 
•    Course catalogue: https://friedolin.uni-jena.de/qisserver/rds?state=wtree&search=1&category=veranstaltung.browse&navigationPosition=functions%2Clectureindex&breadcrumb=lectureindex&topitem=locallinks&subitem=lectureindex&noDBAction=y&init=y 
•    Unisport Jena: https://www.hochschulsport.uni-jena.de/en 
•    City of Jena: https://startseite.jena.de/en 
•    Social Media 
o    University of Jena: @unijena
o    Unisports Jena: @unisport_jena
o    City of Jena: @jenalichtstadt
o    Group "Toegther in Jena": @together.in.jena
•    International Office contact 

Susi’s tips: 
•    Organize your e-mails and documents in one folder
•    Read e-mails including the attachments
•    Take part in the praparation workshops
•    Get a WelcomeBuddy
•    Learn and practise german language
•    Connect with former exchange students (take care that all infos are up to date!)
•    Network with other exchange students
•    Plan your travel and mind the semester dates
•    Check the validity of your passport
•    Apply for a place in a dormitory
•    Organize your helath insurance in time
•    Be open to get in contact with people

Timestamps: 
01:25 What is this „CampusCouch“? 03:55 Since when does this project exist? 04:25 What exactly are you doing as volunteers of the project? 07:20 How do you prepare? 10:08 Who can come to you and use that offer? 15:20 Does the offer does cost anything? 15:35 How to contact you and get an appointment? How is the whole process? 20:21 Is the offer only in german? 21:40 What are special needs of international students and are you prepared for it? 29:00 How do you personally like your volunteering at the CampusCouch?

Shownotes:
•    CampusCouch https://www.uni-jena.de/campuscouch 
o    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campuscouch/
o    Contact: [email protected]
•    Orientation Days in the beginning of the semester: https://www.uni-jena.de/34738/studieneinfuehrungstage-stet
•    Contactpoints in case of mental health problems (Free of charge):
o    Telephone (and online) Counseling: https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/telefon/#telephone
o    Muslim telephone counseling: https://www.mutes.de/
o    Russian Tелефон Доверия: https://www.diakonie-portal.de/themen/ehrenamt-freiwilligendienste/ehrenamt-und-engagement/telefon-doweria-telefon-doverija/
o    Psychosocial counselling of the Studierendenwerk Thüringen: https://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/counselling/psycho-social-counselling/ 
    Podcastfolge zur PSB : https://www.uni-jena.de/en/63217/podcast#support3
o    Bei akuter Suizidalität: 112
•    Information on the german health care system: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/1965/living-in-jena