University of Stuttgart welcomes international students

During the Welcome Days on October 9 and 10, newly arrived international students mingled at the IZ Forum. “I arrived in Stuttgart two weeks ago and am excited to start my studies,” says Claude from Rwanda, who will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering and Management (WAREM) at the University of Stuttgart. He is one of more than 800 international students who will begin their studies at the University of Stuttgart in the winter semester 2024/2025. More than 200 of them spend one or more semesters at the University of Stuttgart as part of exchange programs with partner universities. The majority of the exchange students arrived in September to attend language courses.

Phil from Zimbabwe, who is pursuing a Master's degree in Air Quality Control, Solid Waste, and Wastewater Process Engineering (WASTE), also benefited from the Welcome Days. "The support available here is incredibly comprehensive and helps me adjust to life in a new country," he says. "There’s a lot to navigate, but there are many helpful contacts at the IZ."

During the Welcome Days, students had the opportunity to connect with one another, meet the staff from the International Office, and receive guidance on various topics to kickstart their studies. The campus tours provided tips on suitable places to study and student life. The “Sharing Platform” was also popular: Students and staff had donated used household items to the international students. The places for the events organized by the International Office were quickly booked out: City tours, visits to the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz museums and an excursion to the television tower were all on the agenda.

Das umfangreiche Orientierungsprogramm des IZ startete bereits einige Wochen vor den Welcome Days: Online-Veranstaltungen, die Informationen zum Studium, Leben und Wohnen sowie allen bürokratischen Formalitäten vermittelten, waren bei den Studierenden sehr beliebt. Viele nahmen auch an individuellen Beratungsangeboten teil. „Schon vor meiner Ankunft halfen mir die Online-Angebote des Internationalen Zentrums dabei, mir meinen Aufenthalt hier zu organisieren“, berichtet Priya aus Indien, die den Master Electrical Engineering studieren wird.

The International Office's extensive orientation program started a few weeks before the Welcome Days: Online events providing information on studying, living and housing as well as all the bureaucratic formalities were very popular with the students. Many also made use of individual advisory services. “Even before I arrived, the International Office's online services helped me to organize my stay here,” reports Priya from India, who will be studying for a Master's in Electrical Engineering.

Another popular offer is the buddy program ready.study.stuttgart, which has been offered by the IZ in cooperation with the Stuttgart Student Union since 2015. International students receive support from experienced students during their start in Stuttgart: 97 volunteer buddies were involved this year. They picked up more than 200 newly arrived internationals at the airport or train station. The buddies also help the new international students to move into their accommodation and support them in dealing with the necessary formalities. Some of the individual study programs also offer their own buddy programs: “My buddy was very nice. Before I even got to Germany, they contacted me and I knew that someone was waiting for me in Stuttgart and that I wasn't alone,” Claude says of his experience. Phil adds: “My buddy contacted me straight after I arrived and asked if I had arrived safely. He first explained all the necessary formalities and then gave me a tour of the city. Thanks to him, I have already seen the great view from Santiago-De-Chile-Platz and the Cannstatter Wasen and feel very welcome.”

International students also receive support through the intercultural mentoring program. Starting this winter semester, more than 50 new international students will receive one-to-one mentoring from experienced students. These partnerships offer international students intercultural experience. Their mentoring partners support the students with organizing their studies, learning German and finding their feet in their new country. The program includes a wide range of events and is a best-practice model known throughout Germany.

Alita from India, who like Phil will be studying the WASTE Master's program, made a conscious decision to study at the University of Stuttgart: “I've already done an internship at Bosch and had some exposure to German culture. The WASTE course at the University of Stuttgart consists of exactly the modules that will help me in my future career.”

International students can schedule meetings with the relevant supervisors at the International Office if they have any questions or issues. Support is also available during open consultation hours. These take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Online consultation takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For support or suggestions, please send us an e-mail.