There are various options to choose from when studying abroad. Depending on your personal interests and goals, there are various options to consider. Studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself in a different culture and gain new academic perspectives. Those who want to gain practical experience, on the other hand, can consider an internship abroad. Another option is to take part in shorter stays (e.g. a summer or winter school), which offer intensive courses and intercultural exchange. Ultimately, it depends on which type of stay abroad best suits your own needs and goals.

When deciding to study abroad, it is advisable to remain open to different countries. By not limiting yourself to one particular country, you open up a wide range of possibilities. We would like to point out that the language of instruction at our partner universities is not always limited to the national language. In fact, many of our partner universities also offer a wide range of courses in English. You can find out which languages of instruction are available and whether there are certain entry requirements at the respective partner university (e.g. GPA etc.) in our partner university portal.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you obtain an official language certificate in good time. See the note on language certificates in the application documents.

Ultimately, however, the answer also depends on individual preferences, goals and interests. Some prefer to go to a country where they already speak the language or want to improve their language skills. Others are curious about completely new cultures and would like to explore a country that is previously unknown to them. Some choose a country that has particularly renowned universities or research institutions for their department. You can find inspiration in our partner university portal . Get a comprehensive overview, keep an open mind and remain open to new opportunities.

English and Romance Studies: If you wish to have your stay abroad recognized as a 3-month compulsory stay, please enquire in advance which countries and national languages are accepted.

When deciding to study abroad, the question often arises: How long do I want to spend abroad? There are various options to choose from, such as stays during the semester break, for one or two semesters.

However, it is important to remember that longer stays abroad can offer numerous advantages. A longer period gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself more deeply in the culture, familiarise yourself better with everyday life as a student and develop a deeper understanding of the host country. You will have more time to make new friends, get involved in the local community and really feel at home. Longer stays abroad also allow you to significantly improve your language skills and gain in-depth training in your department. You will have the chance to build a broad network and make international contacts that may prove valuable in the long term.

We therefore encourage you to consider the possibility of a longer stay abroad. This will open up a world of new experiences, personal growth and professional opportunities. Take the opportunity to broaden your horizons and dare to stay abroad for longer.

A shorter stay abroad can still make sense, as it is flexible and can be easily integrated into your own study plan. Semester breaks or a single semester abroad allow you to gain international experience without taking too much time away from your regular studies. This can be particularly beneficial for students with a tight schedule or specific academic requirements. You may not have the opportunity to participate in longer stays for personal or family reasons. In addition, a shorter stay abroad can also serve as a stepping stone. It can help you explore the benefits of an international study experience and give you the opportunity to decide whether you would like to plan a longer stay abroad in the future.

For some degree programmes, there are special time slots or phases in which it is particularly advantageous to plan a stay abroad. This information can be obtained directly from the programme directors, the relevant academic advisors or study offices in your faculty. They are usually familiar with the specific requirements and possibilities of the respective degree programme and can give you valuable advice on how to integrate a stay abroad into your course of study.

It is advisable to plan your course selection and curriculum in advance when integrating a stay abroad into your degree programme. In this way, you can ensure that the credit points earned and coursework completed abroad can be properly integrated into your degree programme. See also: Recognition.

When looking for a suitable partner university, you may also want to consider whether the courses on offer match your current degree programme. You have the following options for researching this in advance:

• Enquire on the homepage of the university of your choice and see if you can find current course catalogues as a guide. Of course, the courses on offer change from semester to semester, but this will give you an initial indication.
• To get a more personal impression, you can read the experience reports of students who have already completed an exchange at the university. These can be found in the detailed view of the contracts in the partner university portal.
• Furthermore, each partner university has a departmental coordinator in the faculty at UPB who may have experience with the course offer at the partner university. You can also find these contacts in the partner university portal.

The semester times abroad are usually different from ours. If there are major differences, there may be semester overlaps with UPB. You must expect this and take it into account in your planning. If the semester times of your host university overlap with those of UPB and you are therefore unable to take examinations, for example, we recommend that you make individual arrangements with your faculty and the lecturers of your courses. There are no university-wide regulations for this case. However, you must be at the partner university at the beginning of the semester abroad.

UPB's application procedure always uses the terms WiSe and SoSe, as our own systems are designed for these semester types. Other terms are used abroad (e.g. Autumn semester, Fall semester or Winter semester and Spring semester or Summer semester). Please do not be confused by this. Semester periods abroad between July and February correspond to an application for the winter semester and semester periods between January and July correspond to an application for the summer semester. The exact semesters in which we are allowed to send exchange students to the partner universities are determined by contract. Therefore, please research the semester periods of your chosen universities in advance.

The DAAD provides an overview of the European university terms.

We want you to be aware that a stay abroad is associated with increased costs. Depending on which country you go to, the cost of living can differ greatly from the German standard.
Even if you are exempt from tuition fees at our partner universities, you may, for example, be required to provide certain financial resources in advance as a guarantee (possibly from a sponsor). In non-European countries, this can easily amount to several thousand euros per semester.
Other fees (such as application fees, administration fees, visa costs or health costs (e.g. compulsory vaccinations)) are also not included in the tuition fee waiver and must be paid by you. Accommodation costs and living expenses are also to be paid by the students themselves.

When it comes to the question of how to finance a stay abroad, there are various options and resources that can be utilised. The International Office offers scholarship programmes (e.g. Erasmus+ or PROMOS) that are specifically aimed at students who want to go abroad. These scholarships can help you to cover the costs of your stay, such as semester fees (not tuition fees) or administrative fees, accommodation, travel tickets, visa fees or living costs.

Other financing options may also be possible, such as educational loans, financial support from education funds or opportunities for students to work part-time abroad (depending on the country).

It is important to start looking for funding options early, as some scholarship programmes have specific deadlines. It can also be helpful to look for funding opportunities from external organisations or foundations that offer financial support for students abroad.

Use the information on the International Office website to find out about the various funding options and seek personal advice if necessary. With careful planning and an early search for funding opportunities, you can successfully realise your plans for a stay abroad.

Yes.

Going abroad with child(ren) often presents students with organisational challenges. The Paderborn University Family Office offers qualified support in the planning and realisation of stays abroad for student (and doctoral) parents.

In addition to organisational issues, financial aspects also play a major role. The Erasmus+ programme offers additional funding options, as does the Auslands-BAföG with child supplement.

Planning a stay abroad with a disability? Definitely possible with the right support! Experience abroad and in-depth language skills are desired by many employers when hiring university graduates, and in some cases even required. Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses should therefore plan a period of study abroad or an internship abroad from the outset as part of their degree programme and prepare well, even if this is not mandatory. In order to obtain all the necessary information and meet application deadlines, it is best to start planning two years in advance.

Funding options
For students with a disability, the Erasmus+ programme offers the possibility of additional financial support in the form of a top-up grant. A real cost application can also be submitted online. This can be used to reimburse additional costs incurred abroad due to the disability.

Counselling
While the International Office can provide you with general information on the various forms of study abroad, the partner universities and advice on organisation, Paderborn University's Representative for Students with Disabilities is available to take your specific needs into account in the planning process.