Services for refugees and international students

The Study Partner Programme connects intercultural learning groups from the same or similar subject areas. The study partners - native German speakers and international students - prepare for lectures and seminars, practice for upcoming exams and exchange ideas about suitable learning strategies.

By participating in the learning partner programme, you broaden your intercultural horizons and deepen your knowledge. For a successful start, you will receive an intercultural training from us; participate actively for one semester and a certificate for voluntary commitment. In selected study programmes you can gain ECTS.

Click here for more information and the registration

ALL YOU CAN DO

What is AYCD?

As a student, you have the opportunity to volunteer in social projects together in teams of international and German students. 

What are the advantages? 

You get to know new people outside the university, gain practical experience in project management, expand your soft skills for your future professional life and receive a CERTIFICATE from the International Support Service upon completion.

Participation can also be recognized as a compulsory internship in some Master's programs of the Faculty of Humanities and for Module F in the iStudi-Pass program.

How does AYCD work?

Before the start of the semester, you register for AYCD on a binding basis using the registration form on our website that is activated for the period.
At the beginning of the semester, we present the projects and form the teams in a kick-off event.
During the conception and implementation of the practical projects, you will be accompanied by AYCD as well as the corresponding civil society project partners.
The semester ends with a closing event.

More information about the procedure and the registration period can be found on our website, on Stud.IP 69727 All you can do as well as on the uni blog.

How do I successfully apply for a job in Germany? What does a specific career look like? How can I prepare for the job marketing in Germany during my studies?

Career orientation is an important part of your studies. In cooperation with the Centre for Careers and Competencies, we offer an extensive programme of events. Refugees and international degree-seeking students can take part in the "iStudi Pass" and understand the regional job market better. In six modules, you strengthen your skills on topics such as job applications, intercultural communication and language. We recommend completing the programme within two semesters, which corresponds to an average commitment of 15-30 minutes per semester week.

After completing the programme, you will receive a certificate of participation. You can attach this to your application documents, for example. Participation in the iStudi Pass is voluntary and open to international students of all faculties.

Details on the iStudi Pass

The Essay Doctor offers support and assistance around the topic of "writing academic papers". The programme is aimed at international students from all degree programmes and faculties. It is an additional peer-to-peer service complementing courses on academic writing organised by the Centre for Careers and Competencies.

Besides useful informational documents on topics like literature research, citation and basics for the term paper, which can be found in the Essay Doctor Stud.IP group, we offer appointments to discuss individual concerns (select time slots within the group). 

You can also find more information in our Essay Doctor blog articles. If you have any questions, please write us an e-mail (refugeeprogramme@uni-passau.de).

Intercultural and Academic Training for International Students:

The Online Self-Learning Course

Helping international students to settle into the academic, linguistic and cultural environment in Passau, the aim of this course is to raise awareness of the cultural character of communication and to learn techniques, practices and customs that are common at German universities.

What is considered appropriate in communication varies from cultural area to cultural area. This becomes evident in differences such as handshakes or bows, acceptable speaking volume and distance to the interlocutor, or the choice of words in a newspaper report. The same applies to communication in science and in the academic field.

Contents of the course:

         Module 1: Cultural Orientation

         Module 2: Orientation at the University

         Module 3: Everyday Student Life

         Module 4: Scientific Literature

         Module 5: Writing a Term Paper

Participation in the event is creditable for the iStudi Pass (Module C or E).

Click here for more information and the course access.

Intercultural Gathering – IKB

The Intercultural Gathering (Interkultureller Begegnungsraum in German, short “IKB”), organised by the International Support Services and the Chair of Intercultural Communication, connects cultures.

Every fortnight, students of the University of Passau meet to gain insights into other countries and cultures and meet interesting new people. In a relaxed environment, students talk about traditions in different regions of the world or simply have fun together. During our meetings, you can learn something new about other cultures, but also about your own country.

Find more details and contact options on the initiative's website.