International Student Affairs

Vorbereitungstage - Preparatory Days

for international students

International Student Affairs

What do I have

to know in order to

study in Siegen?

International Student Affairs

In Germany a lot ofindependence is required

of you.

You usually have to createyour timetable yourself.

Students are supposed toprepare and follow-up on

their own and reportwhen they have questions

or there are problems.

Academic Structure in Germany

International Student Affairs

Lecture

• Professor recites content of script and students take notes

• Participants are expected to be less active

• Large group

• Usually exam at the end of the semester

Seminar

• Medium-sized groups, more intensive work on one subject

• Active participation is expected, have accompanying thoughts, ask questions, discuss etc.

• Academic evaluations differ: Presentations, active participation, exam, protocols, termpapers

Exercise course

• Exercises on the contents of the lectures

• In smaller groups with tutors

• Active participation of students

Types of Classes

International Student Affairs

Are held:

• Usually once per week for 90min

normally “c.t.” = course starts 15min later

seminar from 12-2pm = 12:15-1:45pm

sometimes “s.t.” = course starts at exact time

seminar from 12-2pm = 12:00-1:30pm

Lecturer/Docent determines “c.t.” or “s.t.”

Or:• As a compact course:

During about 2 weekends Or in one week during the semester break very intensive

Classes/Courses

International Student Affairs

Unisono

What?

Course catalogue

Registration for courses

Certificate of studies can be found / printed here:

„My Functions“ „Administration of study“ „Study reports“

Registration for exams

Overview of academic achievements / credit points (e.g. for the Foreigners‘ Registration Office)

International Student Affairs

Preparation of your

timetable of courses &

regsitration for courses

International Student Affairs

In order to create your timetable you need:

1.) Studien-/ Prüfungsordnung (study & exam regulations)

& Modulhandbuch (module manual)

You find this on the homepage of the course of studies

International Student Affairs

Auf der Seite des Studiengangs / des Prüfungsamtes

International Student Affairs

In order to create your timetable you need:

1.) Studien-/ Prüfungsordnung (study & exam regulations)

& Modulhandbuch (module manual)

2.) Vorlesungsverzeichnis (course catalogue in unisono)

DON´T PANIC! You will get assistance with this by the examination offices and / or students representetives!

International Student Affairs

Unisono

International Student Affairs

Schedule

International Student Affairs

International Student Affairs

International Student Affairs

International Student Affairs

International Student Affairs

Certificate of Study

International Student Affairs

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List of Achievements

International Student Affairs

International Student Affairs

• Please take part in the Welcome week of your faculty(ESE) starting on September 30th.

• If you still have questions, please contact your faculty/ the student representetives of your course of studies.

• Infos can be found here:

http://www.uni-siegen.de/zsb/anfaenger/studienstart.html?lang=de

You are not alone!

International Student Affairs

ZIMT- Center for information and

media technology

• Students‘ Email account• WiFi• moodle• sciebo• Lending of devices & Mediathek• and more

E-Mail: support@zimt.uni-siegen.dePhone: +49 (0)271 740-4777Office: H-D 2203Information: https://u-si.de/smN9B

International Student Affairs

Student email account

• Activation at ZIMT

Important: • Please check your email account regularely.• Docents use this address for communication.• The university sends important information to this address• Other solution: Please activate forwarding to your normal address!!

International Student Affairs

Student email account

https://www.zimt.uni-siegen.de/dienste/mail/autoforward_form.html?lang=de

Activation of forwarding

International Student Affairs

Where?• AStA shop at campus AR (building HB)• Libraries• PC pools (only for printing and internet) room AR-D 4108 room H-D 2202

For printing and copying in the library and the PC pools, you will need to purchase a copy card in the library or at the Zimt office.

• Copy Shops in Siegen / Siegen-Weidenau

Copy, Scan & Print

International Student Affairs

Library – Bibliothek

• Different departments

• Main library is on campus Hölderlin (here you can collect your library pass)

• Application for a pass Form (can be filled out at the entrance) Passport Certificate of registration (from the Town hall) Studentpass

http://www.ub.uni-siegen.de/cms/

• Take part in the library tour on Friday, September 27 at 12.15 p.m.

• Online-Tutorial: http://www.ub.uni-siegen.de/index.php?id=e-tutorials&L=1Bibliothek

International Student Affairs

University Degree(for ex. Bachelor,

Master, Magister orDiplom)

Doctor

Professor

Adressed (especially in writtenform) with title (e.g. “Herr Professor Burkhardt”)

Docents Not everydocent is a professor!

Docents / Dozenten= „teachers“ at Uni

International Student Affairs

• Important: Report when you have questions or problems.

• Most Docents offer Office Hours. Information on this can be found on the

homepage of the Docent.

But:

• Usually Docents do not work on weekends or late at night.

• It is very likely that the Docent can not answer immediately, please leave

enough time and do not bother them prematurely.

• Always stay polite!

• The Docents are not responsible for your studies.

How do I communicate with

Docents?

International Student Affairs

How do I communicate

with Docents?

• Always talk to the Docents formally in German use the word “Sie” unless they offer

you “Du”!!

• Email to Docents

1. Polite adress

„Sehr geehrter Frau / Herr Professor / Doktor….“

2. Be concise

Explain briefly but politely what your concern is and how he/she may help you

3. Specify information about you:

matriculation number, Which course? Which semester? What du you study?

4. Use a polite conclusion such as:

„Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre Antwort.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

XXX“

International Student Affairs

How do I behave

correctly?

a small Quiz

International Student Affairs

Course starts at 10am (c.t.). I arrive …

a) …at 9:55am.

b) …at 10:10am.

c.t. = starts at 10:15am

Punctuality is usually very important in Germany. Docents start their courses on time and expect students to be there.

c) …at 10.39am.

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

Even though you tried you are 10min late. Whatdo you do?

a) I knock and apologize clearly.

b) Skip the course.

c) I enter the room quietly and sit down on the nearest available seat. Less disturbance when you enter quietly and

carefully.

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

You are supposed to hold a presentation with fellow students that you

don´t know.

a) I do my part independently and bring it with me on theday of the presentation.

b) I contact my fellow students and we work on thepresentation together. Teamwork is very important in Germany. In doesn´t make a good impression if youdid not communicate with your fellow students about the presentation.

If you decide not to hold the presentation tell your fellow students and the Docent in time.

c) I don´t want to hold a presentation with them therefore I just don´t show up for the presentation.

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

You don`t understand something the Docent said.

a) I raise my hand and ask the Docent or reportto him after the course. Most of the Docents appreciate when you report to them in case

you have questions. You can also ask a fellow student. Attention : In Germany, falling asleep during a course is very

impolite.

b) I try and understand it at home

c) I get frustrated and fall asleep

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

You are supposed to hold a presentation in a few weeks. What do you do?

a) I wait till the Docent gives me the necessaryinformation

b) On the day before the presentation I copy someinformation from the internet for my presentation

c) I independently search for literature and othersources and contact my Docent ahead of time !

A lot of independence will be expected of you. You should search forliterature and sources on your own, however you will receive assistancefrom your Docent if you ask him or her politely.

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

You have to write a term paper.

a) I search in the internet for good information andcopy it myself or maybe change it a little

b) I search the internet and in the library forliterature, write down my ideas and write my owntext Look for (qualified) literature (for ex. NOT wikipedia, www.hausarbeiten.de etc.)

und ask the Docent if the Literature is okay.

In Germany it is expected that you cite every information that is not your own. Ifthey are direct quotes these, have to be distinguished.

Plagiarism (copying ideas / texts without any certification) is very dangerous.

There are different places that can help with your term paper (for ex. Language Center).

c) I just use the term paper of a friend

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

You have to hand in a term paper in two weeks but

already know you won't finish in time.

a) I immediately contact the Docent , explain my request and ask politely if it were possible to postpone the deadline. Most Docents are very strict when it comes to deadlines, but if you ask politely

many will be willing to postpone the deadline a little bit - It is important (and fair) to be honest).

b) I just hand in the paper two weeks late. It will be okay.

c) I write to my Docent the night before the deadline that my cat died and I can only hand in my paper in two weeks.

How do I behave correctly?

International Student Affairs

Important values and behavior of students:

1. Honesty and Fairness Be honest towards yourself, to your fellow students and to your Docents. In Germany honesty

is very important! Admit when you have made a mistake.

2. Presence / Independence / Self-Motivation You chose this study - so please regularly attend and participate. This is only way to get ahead.

Ask your fellow students for help. If there are problems report them, for ex. ask Docents or us, the stuff of ISA.

3. Punctuality Please be on time for your lectures / seminars or office hours. If you do arrive late enter quietly

and sit down.

4. Respect and Tolerance Respect values, opinions and abilities of others.

How do I behave correctly?

- Conclusion

International Student Affairs

How can I improve my

German language skills?

• Try to meet and talk to many people and find friends (You will get more tips on this topic this afternoon.).

• Attend German courses from Language Center! (see next page)

• Join a tandem / buddy program, for example of the Language Center

• Watch German movies.

• Read German books, magazines, newspapers.

• Find hobbies where you get in touch with people.

• Don‘t give up!!!

International Student Affairs

German Courses in the

Language Center

• There is a great variety of offers

• Registration via unisono:https://unisono.uni-siegen.de:443/qisserver/pages/startFlow.xhtml?_flowId=showCourseCatalog-flow&periodId=188&path=title%3A4578%7Ctitle%3A4799%7Ctitle%3A4801%7Cexam%3A31643

• Please take part in the placement test in the first week of October!

International Student Affairs

• Docents (if it concerns the course)

• Fellow students

• Study consultation (for the organisation of your studies and questions, usually at every faculty)

http://www.uni-siegen.de/zsb/studierende/fachstudienberatung.html?m=e

• Student Representatives (Fachschaften) (students that invest in your field of study)

https://www.asta.uni-siegen.de/studis/fachschaften/

• General Student Council (AStA) (=Vertretung der Studierenden an der Uni Siegen)

http://www.asta.uni-siegen.de/

• Departments International Student Affairs

http://www.uni-siegen.de/isa/ansprechpartner/index.xml?lang=de

• Department STARTING

http://www.uni-siegen.de/starting/team.html

• Psychological counselling

http://www.uni-siegen.de/zsb/psychologische/

Please contact us if you have questions or problems!!

Where can I find help?