Preparation

Before you can start your stay abroad, there is a lot to do and plan. Preparation begins with applying for mobility programs, an internship, or other stay abroad, applying for scholarship programs, and applying for a visa and insurance.

Application | Visa | Insurance | Tips for your stay abroad

Applying

If you would like to apply for a stay abroad, you must comply with the respective program regulations. As these vary depending on the program, we would like to guide you to the right information and give you some useful tips along the way.

General information about the application

Here are some helpful tips for a successful application:

1. Take your time

Read all relevant information in the announcement of your mobility or scholarship program, make sure that you do not overlook any relevant information, and have your application checked by another person before you send it.

2. If possible, submit your application at least 1-2 days before the deadline

It is not uncommon for people to try to send online applications at the last minute. If something doesn’t work right away, you could miss the deadline. Whether you are only one or 10 minutes late is usually irrelevant—online applications in particular can no longer be submitted after the deadline.

3. Follow the instructions in the call for applications

Would you prefer to use your own template for the letter of recommendation for a scholarship program, even though a template is provided? Do not do that! As a rule, there is a reason that the required documents have a specific format. In the worst case, a letter or document submitted in the wrong format will not be accepted.

Also make sure that you submit documents in the correct language. The UHOH exchange programs, for example, generally require all documents to be submitted in English. If the documents are then submitted in German, they can usually not be used for evaluation.

4. Attend information events

For some programs, specific information events are offered by the Student Mobility Team. In our exchange programs, we require you to attend a “Going abroad makes a difference” event when you apply. This is the only way to ensure that you have not missed anything and you also have the opportunity to ask questions directly if something is unclear.

UHOH application deadlines

All application deadlines for stays abroad, both for exchange programs and all UHOH scholarship programs, are compiled for you on a website as an overview.

For deadlines for stays as free movers, summer/winter schools, language courses, or for scholarships that are not awarded via the UHOH, please refer directly to the respective program websites.

UHOH application deadlines

How do I apply...

What do I need to consider when applying for exchange programs, scholarships, or free mover stays? Where can I find more information?

... for an exchange program

For applications for a UHOH exchange program, the information in the corresponding announcement in the AA-News always applies. The exchange programs include:

Erasmus+ program for study purposes
Swiss-European Mobility Program
Exchange programs overseas
State programs Baden-Württemberg

More information

... for a scholarship

If you would like to apply for a scholarship awarded by the University of Hohenheim, please note the corresponding announcement in the AA-News.

For other scholarship programs, please refer to the respective program regulations and address any questions directly to the program contact person.

More information

... for a free mover stay

If you apply directly to your chosen university abroad as a free mover, you will receive all relevant information from your chosen university.

If you have decided to organize a free mover stay through a “free mover organization,” please follow the guidelines of the organization of your choice.

More information

Visa

Whether and which visa you need depends on your requirements, your destination country, and the nature of your stay abroad. It is therefore very important that you check exactly what you need.

When do I need a visa?	Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The following points are relevant: What citizenship(s) do you have? What is your destination country? How long will you be staying? What will you be doing there? (Studies / Internship) Students with German citizenship generally do not require a visa for stays abroad in the Schengen area. However, depending on the host country, you may have to register with the authorities of the host country after a certain length of stay. If you are staying outside the Schengen area, please check whether you need a visa for your stay abroad. Important! Tourist visas are usually not sufficient for study or work-related stays abroad!
How do I apply for a visa?	This depends very much on which visa you apply for and in which country. Please make sure that you only follow official websites. Here are a few tips: As a rule, you must already be admitted to the host university when you apply for the visa. Make sure in good time that your passport is valid for a sufficient period of time. Applying for a visa can take some time. You should therefore apply for your visa as early as possible once you have all the necessary documents. Bear in mind that some visas may require a visit to an embassy/consulate in the host country. Typically you will have to travel to another city to do this.
Where can I find information on visas?	A first point of contact is the Federal Foreign Office, which explains the regulations for German citizens. In addition, the representations of your host country in Germany (embassies/consulates) usually provide helpful information. In UHOH exchange programs, students usually receive information on visa matters from the partner university. Especially for the USA, the d.a.i. Tübingen always offers suitable information events, which we then also announce in our AA-News.

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Insurance

You should also be covered by various insurance policies during your stay abroad.

International health insurance

In order to be insured abroad in the event of illness, you should definitely have international health insurance. People with statutory health insurance are usually in possession of a “European Health Insurance Card” anyway. This is valid in all EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK.

Please note that additional insurance may still be advisable.

We recommend taking out international health insurance that also covers repatriation. Therefore, always check the benefits of your current insurance.

For stays in other countries, you generally need to take out private international health insurance.

In addition, always check the information provided by your partner university, as some partner universities require exchange students to take out specific, predetermined insurance policies.

Which insurance policies are also recommended?

In addition to international health insurance, we recommend accident and liability insurance that is also valid abroad. Please check which benefits are already covered by your existing insurance.

DAAD group insurance

The DAAD offers group insurance that is open to exchange students at the University of Hohenheim. All relevant information can be found on the DAAD website.

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Tips for your stay abroad

With our 10 tips for your stay abroad, we remind you of some very practical points that you should take care of before you start your stay abroad.

Extend your enrollment at the University of Hohenheim (during the exchange programs you must be enrolled for the entire stay abroad!).
Register for the courses at your host university—at some partner universities you have to do this as part of your application to the host university.
Register for the buddy program of your partner university and, if possible, take part in the introductory or orientation events. This way, you will quickly get to know new people right at the beginning of your stay abroad.
Register for non-academic courses at your partner university—registration deadlines for sports or language courses are often before you even travel to the host country.
Book your trip abroad. We advise you to always book travel tickets with the option to cancel.
Make sure that you can use your bank account abroad or find out about opening a bank account in your host country.
Organize medical appointments in good time before departure to obtain any necessary vaccinations and clarify possible medication during your stay abroad.
Terminate or interrupt current contracts (if possible), e.g., your cell phone contract if it cannot be used abroad, gym or club memberships, apartment.
Copy important documents such as your passport or identity card and your vaccination booklet.
Get to know other students traveling with you—for example at our “Farewell Event” for exchange students in mobility programs.

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