Onboarding for Guest Studies - The Right Preparation for Your Exchange Semester

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: @unijenao    Unisports Jena: @unisport_jenao    City of Jena: @jenalichtstadto    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