The project "Strangers become Friends" assigns international students at the University of Erfurt and the University of Applied Sciences host families in the city of Erfurt. By doing this, we want to assist students in finding contacts beyond the campus and in settling in in Erfurt as fast as possible. Their hosts will help them get to know the city of Erfurt, its attractions and its surroundings faster, and they will support them should a problem occur, e.g. by dealing with bureaucratic matters, or by making a doctor's appointment. Depending on their fields of interest, students will be invited into the host families' homes in order to experience the German culture and way of living first-hand, or they can pursue common hobbies together, such as cultural activities or sports, etc.. On the other hand, hosts will want to learn about the student's home country and maybe test the language skills they might have. This way, both hosts and international students can benefit from the programme.

If you are interested in participating, please fill in an application form. Information on common interests enables us to match up students with a suitable host family, so please provide details about your fields of interest.

Contact:
Frau Petra Eweleit
Fachhochschule Erfurt (University of Applied Sciences)
Altonaer Straße 25, House 6, 2nd Floor, Room 35
D-99085 Erfurt
Telephone: +49(0)361/6700487
Fax: +49(0)361/6700703
eweleit(at)fh-erfurt.de
www.fremde-werden-freunde.de

 "The spirit of friendship" - Film  (in English language)

Every new student is assigned a full-time German student as a personal tutor. Your tutor will contact you by e-mail before you leave your home country so that you can clarify practical questions in advance. When you arrive in Erfurt, s/he is available to meet with you individually especially during the first weeks of your stay at the University of Erfurt. Your tutor will help you become acquainted with the campus, handle registration matters and make early contact with German students. ... more

The "Tandem" programme is organised by the Language Centre. Two persons from different countries meet up in order to practise their foreign language skills. For instance, during the first half of the meeting the native speaker from Mexico helps the German student improve her Spanish; in the second half the German in turn supports the Mexican student in her efforts to perfect her German grammar and vocabulary. This way, the participants learn a lot about the tandem partner's culture while practising their language skills. Further information can be found on the Language Centre's website.

The Café International is a regular meeting place for all foreign and German students at the University and the University of Applied Sciences who like to meet and communicate with people from other countries and cultures. Every Tuesday night the Café International takes you on a journey round the world. On offer are introductory nights to specific countries, slide shows, discussions, but also fun dancing nights. All events are organised by the student tutors of both Erfurt universities. Join us in our multicultural get-together and enjoy e.g. Indonesian food specialities, hot Salsa rhythms or international poetry. Your ideas are welcome, too, please contact the Café tutors. Why don't you bring materials from home, such as photos, videos, CDs etc. and participate!  

Café International
Studentenzentrum Engelsburg, Café Duckdich  
Allerheiligenstraße 21/22  
99084 Erfurt

Meetings Every Tuesday during the semester at 20.00
Tel: (0361) 244-77-130;
peter.schledermann(at)stw-thueringen.de

www.erfurt-international.de/

Springboard to Learning e.V. is a non-profit-making association which encourages people both to become acquainted with and to gain a better understanding of foreign cultures. The most important task of the club is to bring people together, who see heterogeneity as a positive challenge. Springboard to Learning organises contacts between people of different cultures who want to broaden their knowledge of other cultures and to gain new experience in this area. The association's events promoting integration encourage attitudes of acceptance, tolerance and openness.

 
Springboard to Learning provides a service for foreign residents in Germany (including registered international students) by organising teaching programmes for foreign nationals in schools. Freelance contracts for 12-hour courses can be set up for this purpose, and the course content is discussed with the subject teacher of the school in question. Courses in subjects such as Music, Philosophy, Languages, Social Sciences, Geography, History and Art can be integrated into this system.
 
If you are interested in working as a Springboard teacher, you should already start thinking about bringing along authentic, hands-on materials such as visual aids that you can also touch, taste, wear, smell or hear in order to bring your culture and origins to life for the pupils and to give them insights which cannot be obtained from books (e.g. photographs, musical instruments, money, stamps, spices, objets d'art, song texts, maps, fairy-tales, etc.).
 
Springboard to Learning e.V.
c/o Universität Erfurt
Nordhäuser Straße 63
99089 Erfurt
Telephone: +49(0)361/737-1620
springboard(at)uni-erfurt.de

www.uni-erfurt.de/springboard

6.1 AEGEE

The local AEGEE student inititative at the University of Erfurt is part of the European AEGEE network (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe / European Students’ Forum) which promotes co-operation, communication and integration amongst young people in Europe. One of the events organised by AEGEE is the International Breakfast which enables fulltime and visiting students to get to know each other at the beginning of each semester.

Information on other student inititatives at the University of Erfurt can be found here.

6.2 Get items for free in the 'Jigsaw Shop' ("Puzzlekiste")

In the 'Jigsaw Shop' ("Puzzlekiste") international students can obtain items for free, i.e. as a visiting or fulltime student from abroad you can choose and take whatever you like - without paying for it. We have all kinds of second-hand items ranging from kitchen things to room accessories to decoration to odds and ends to electronic devices. Come and see for yourself!

The "Puzzlekiste" is situated in a container in the yard behind Lehrgebäude 2 (just follow the posters pointing the way). We open by appointment, so please get in touch!

The items which are available for free in the "Puzzlekiste" have been donated by generous people, many of whom international students themselves who have returned to their home countries. Your gifts are welcome, too! So when you start packing and come across stuff which you no longer need and want to leave to the "next generation" of international students, contact us at puzzlekisteerfurt@googlemail.com or on Facebook at ESN Erfurt: Puzzlekiste.

Would you like to join the "Puzzlekiste" team? In line with the rising demand we need to increase the number of students who can help look after the treasures in the "Puzzlekiste".