FAQs

Take Advantage of Your Freedom

College is one of the best times to spend an extended period abroad. You aren’t yet firmly established in your career, probably don’t have a mortgage to pay yet, and have fewer family obligations.* After college, it becomes much more difficult to coordinate a long-term stay abroad with the rest of your life.

At the same time, a stay abroad is an excellent opportunity to gain new experiences, learn about yourself, and gain clarity on where your path might lead after graduation.

*Even if you do, there are special grants available through programs like Erasmus.

Improving a language where it is spoken

Speaking multiple languages always means being able to communicate with more people. Whether in your personal or professional life, that’s always an advantage.

Spending time abroad and interacting with people from all over the world will also strengthen your intercultural competence—a skill that will serve you well later in your professional life.

Gain New Insights and Perspectives for Your Studies

Have you devoted yourself heart and soul to a particular subject, or are you completely immersed in your degree programme? A semester abroad or a summer school program offers the opportunity to deepen and expand your academic profile—for example, by taking courses that aren’t available in this form or combination in Kassel.

Teaching methods may also differ. Abroad, for example, a strong emphasis is often placed on applied learning, allowing you to gain practical experience to take back home with you.

Friends for Life, Professional Connections

When you’re abroad, you meet people who can become good friends. Friendships develop that often last a lifetime. Sharing the unique experience of living abroad brings people closer together and—thanks to social media—often endures over time.

But it’s not just memories, experiences, and skills that last. You can also make connections that open up new opportunities for your future.

Boost Your Career Opportunities

No matter where you go or what you plan to do abroad—experience living abroad is more than just a plus on your resume. It’s no wonder: to employers, a stay abroad signals not only foreign language skills but also independence, flexibility, and openness.

It also demonstrates skills such as planning, organization, budgeting, and communication, as well as the ability to adapt to new challenges and overcome obstacles. These are all things that are usually essential in everyday work life, but that you’ll also definitely need in your personal life.

At the University of Kassel, you have a wide range of study abroad options available to you. If you’re unsure, you can also take our self-assessment quiz.

Semester Abroad

You can study at a university abroad for one or two semesters. You do not pay tuition fees at partner universities. Courses taken abroad can usually be transferredforcredit at Kassel.

Internship Abroad

You also have the option to complete voluntary or required internships abroad. Post-graduation internships are also possible. You have the flexibility to find your own internship placement.

Summer School

Summer schools are short study programs, similar to intensive courses, offered by many universities abroad. They combine international experience, global connections, and the opportunity to earn credits.

Study Trip

Study trips are typically offered as part of a seminar. These are excursions abroad that complement the theoretical content of the seminar with practical experiences.

Language Courses

You can improve your language skills by taking a language course abroad.

Doctoral Studies

If you are pursuing a Ph.D., you can take advantage of various opportunities to study abroad, such as trips to conferences and lectures, professional development programs, teaching assignments, or internships abroad.

Semester Abroad

First, think about which countries and regions interest you. We recommend reading other students’ experiencereports for inspiration. Also consider which foreign languages you are proficient in. English is usually sufficient. 

When it comes to choosing a specific university, you have several options:

(1) You can attend a partner university in your Faculty, for example, through Erasmus. Exchange opportunities are listed at the link.

(2) As a student at the University of Kassel, you can also study for a semester in the U.S. or Australia tuition-free through the Hessen programs.

(3) If you cannot find a suitable partner university, you can apply independently as a so-called “freemover” to the university of your choice.

Internship Abroad

In principle, you can complete your internshipabroad anywhere you find a position relevant to your studies. It’s up to you whether you narrow your search to a specific country or region or look for a particular field of work regardless of location. Here, too, we recommend reading other students’ experiencereports for inspiration.

Summer Schools

With summer schools, the location determines where you’ll go. Start by looking for summer schools that interest you thematically, and then see where they’re offered.

Study Trip

The destination is usually determined by the instructor planning the study trip.

Language Course

We recommend taking a language course in a country where the language is spoken.

Yes, that's possible.

You can study through a different Faculty if your preferred university has a partnership with another Faculty at the University of Kassel. The prerequisite for this is that your preferred university offers courses that match your academic profile. Check with the relevant cooperation coordinator to see if you can apply for the agreed-upon spots as a student from a different field of study. Provided that the partner university also agrees to provide academic advising for students from a different field, nothing stands in the way of your semester abroad.

If you do not go through another Faculty, you can alternatively apply independently as a “freemover” to your university of choice.

You can study abroad during the semester, during semester breaks, or even after graduation. It depends on the type of study abroad program you’d like to participate in.

Many faculties have a so-called “mobility window” for study abroad programs during a specific semester. Be sure to check with your faculty well in advance and take into account the requirements in your examination or academic regulations.

If you complete your study abroad program early in your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to incorporate your intercultural experiences into the rest of your academic journey. 

The opportunity to go abroad after graduation is primarily available through Erasmus internships abroad as well as through some DAAD programs.

It depends on the type of program you're participating in:

A semester abroad usually lasts 4–6 months.

An internship abroad can last 1–12 months.

Short-term stays, such as summer schools or study trips, usually last 1–2 weeks.

We can provide funding for language courses lasting 1–4 weeks.

Studying abroad does not necessarily extend the duration of your degree program. Shorter stays, such as internships or summer schools, can be completed during semester breaks. Longer stays, such as a semester abroad, can be integrated into your degree program, as courses taken abroad are generally recognized without issue at Kassel.

You may also be eligible for a leave of absence during your stay abroad. Please contact your respective registrar’s office for more information. 

If you study abroad through a partner university, you will not have to pay tuition. This allows students at the University of Kassel to gain valuable experience without the additional burden of tuition fees.

The cost of living in most countries is quite comparable to that in Germany. However, experience shows that travel expenses and adjusting to a new environment can result in additional costs.

Only through the Erasmus Program will you automatically receive a monthly stipend upon acceptance into the program. Other study abroad programs can be funded through a wide variety of scholarship programs. Depending on the type and duration of the program, you may receive travel expenses and/or monthly stipends.

The University of Kassel supports its students’ plans to study abroad in every way possible. As a result, the chances of completing a study-related stay abroad are very good. For example, the acceptance rate for the Promos and Shosta scholarship programs is over 90% of all applicants.

The application process has long since ceased to be solely about outstanding academic performance. On the contrary: grades tend to play a secondary role. Commitment, motivation, and the student’s personal background are far more important today. Scholarship providers take the applicant’s individual profile into account during the selection process. 

Take advantage of our counseling services to optimize your application. The International Office at the University of Kassel, for example, regularly offers workshops on writing letters of motivation. 

If, despite everything, your preferred project is not feasible, we’d be happy to advise you on possible alternatives.

The Federal Students Assistance Act (BAföG) is an excellent financing option for stays abroad during your studies. Anyone who is generally eligible for BAföG in Germany can usually also receive BAföG for a study period abroad.

In addition, the Federal Students Assistance Act (BAföG) for study abroad is also an option for those who fall into a gray area and narrowly miss out on domestic BAföG. Since the income limits for study abroad are set differently, such students often have the opportunity to receive grants tailored to their studies abroad.

Funding is available for both semesters abroad and mandatory internships. Grants are provided to cover living and travel expenses. If tuition fees apply, they are covered up to a certain amount.

The Federal Students Assistance Act (BAföG) can also be combined with many scholarship programs, such as Erasmus or Promos.

Knowledge of the local language makes your stay abroad easier. However, in many cases, English language skills are sufficient. 

Most universities offer a sufficient and high-quality selection of English-language courses. For internships abroad, English is often the working language.

Don’t let language challenges deter you. Instead, see them as an opportunity to improve your language skills.

At the University of Kassel, you have the opportunity to prepare yourself very well linguistically through a wide range of programs. Language courses can also be taken in advance as part of the Erasmus Program. 

For some exchange programs, you’ll need to demonstrate language proficiency at a specific level. 

Learning Languages at the University of Kassel

International Study Center/Language Center

A good and relatively affordable way to prepare linguistically is to take language courses offered by the Language Center at theInternational Study Center/Language Center at the University of Kassel. Each semester, the Language Center offers a wide selection of language courses in numerous languages and at various proficiency levels.

Practicing Foreign Languages

The Language Center also offers additional, mostly free opportunities to use and practice the foreign language you’ve learned, such as a tandem initiative, the “Deutsch” meet-up, or the media library. You can find out more about these offerings on the Language Center’s website.

Learning Languages in the Region

Adult education centers in Kassel or your hometown also offer a wide selection of language courses. You can find the addresses and programs of adult education centers in North Hesse via the link.

When applying for admission to a foreign university or for a scholarship, language proficiency must often be demonstrated or assessed through a language certificate or language test. Please refer to the relevant call for applications for information on how to provide this proof. 

Language Proficiency Certificate

For most scholarship programs, you will need proof of language proficiency. You can have your proficiency in the language of instruction or the local language certified using a standardized form. This typically assesses your listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading comprehension in the foreign language.

At the University of Kassel, you can take the test for this language proficiency certificate at theInternational Study Center/Language Center.
 

Please contact the Language Center office for test dates (Mon–Fri 9–11 a.m.; Tel. +49 561-804 3689). If you are a student in Faculty 02 (Linguistics and Literary Studies), you may contact one of the lecturers in Faculty 02.

Language Test

Many universities abroad require that language proficiency be demonstrated through a recognized language test. These tests are offered by various institutions in Germany and are subject to a fee.
You can find out which test you need to take for your application in the application materials or on the host university’s website.

The most well-known language tests include the following:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Each participant is required to arrange for adequate insurance coverage on their own. Neither the EU, the DAAD, nor the University of Kassel is liable for damages resulting from illness, death, accident, personal injury, or loss of or damage to property in connection with your stay abroad.

Therefore, be sure to obtain adequate insurance coverage while abroad. The following types of insurance should be in place:

• Travel insurance (if applicable, including repatriation from abroad)
• Liability insurance (including professional and personal liability, if applicable)
• Insurance for accidents and serious illnesses (including total or partial incapacity to work)

Those with statutory health insurance: All participants should have a “European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).” With the EHIC, national health insurance generally provides basic coverage even during a stay in another EU country. However, coverage under the EHIC or private insurance may be insufficient, particularly if repatriation or specialized medical procedures are required. In such cases, supplemental private insurance may be advisable. For stays in Turkey, private international health insurance is generally required.

It is particularly important to arrange for supplementary private insurance when traveling to non-EU countries. Often, statutory health insurance does not provide coverage or offers only limited coverage. Please check with your health insurance provider.

Note: Participants have the option of joining the DAAD’s group insurance plan at their own expense. For more information, please contact the DAAD Insurance Office (Tel.: 0228/882-294)
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If you’re spending a semester abroad at a foreign university, you’ll receive information about potential student accomodation after you register at that university. For those in a hurry: Do your own research on your host university’s website.

For other study-related stays: Please make your own arrangements for accomodation in your host country well in advance. You can often find tips and advice in the experience reports of other students.

Please check well in advance whether you need a visa for the host country in question. You can obtain reliable information from the relevant consulates, the DAAD, and the Federal Foreign Office.

As an international student from a non-EU country, can I participate in the Erasmus+ program?

Yes, all students who are pursuing a full degree program at the University of Kassel leading to a recognized degree are eligible to participate in the Erasmus+ program. This includes international students from non-EU countries.

Please note that, depending on your residency status, you may need to apply for a visa for the host country. Therefore, be sure to inform the Office for International Students about your plans to study abroad and also check with the University of Kassel’s Visa Information Office in advance: visa-info[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/studium/im-studium/studentisches-leben/studentische-selbstverwaltung/studentische-hochschulpolitik/asta-departments-and-autonomous-departments/department-of-social-affairs-and-anti-discrimination.html