Folkwang

In order to meet application deadlines and have enough time to prepare, you should start planning at least 12 months in advance, especially for longer stays. Some important points to consider are:

Time management & Deadlines

Planning your Stay

Consider when a stay abroad would fit into your studies and how long you would like to stay abroad. The International Office and your teachers can advise you on which semester in your degree program is best suited for a stay abroad. An internship or a short stay can also be completed during the semester break.

 

The application deadline for a semester abroad at a partner university is January 15 for the following academic year. After applying to Folkwang, you also need to apply independently to the host university. Find out in good time when the application deadlines for incoming exchange students end there.

 

You can apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship for an internship abroad up to 6 weeks before the start date of the internship. 

 

The application deadline for a PROMOS scholarship for a short stay is December 10 for the following calendar year.

Leave of absence & Deutschlandticket

You may choose to apply for a leave of absence from your studies for the duration of a semester abroad, but it's not mandatory. If you are planning to return before the end of the semester and wish to attend classes or take exams at Folkwang during that time, a leave of absence is not an option.

 

You can find more information on the pros and cons of a leave of absence when it comes to taking exams, attending classes, receiving BAföG, and using the Deutschlandticket here.

Funding your stay

A stay abroad almost always means additional expenses. Depending on the destination country and type of stay, these are some of the factors to be considered:

 

·       Travel expenses

·       Cost of living in the destination country

·       Travel health insurance and other kinds of insurance

·       Visa and passport

·       Vaccinations

·       Tuition fees (for free mover stays only)

 

You can find information on scholarships and other funding options here.

Learning the language

Check whether your language skills are sufficient for your planned stay abroad. If you are planning to study abroad, you can find out from the host university which language the courses are taught in and what minimum level is required. Internships usually require a high degree of fluency, as you will need to communicate with your colleagues.

 

You can often find beginner courses in Spanish and Italian in the Optional Studies portfolio at Folkwang. The VHS Essen offers a wide range of language courses at affordable prices.

 

If your study or internship abroad is funded by the Erasmus+ program, you can also use the Online Language Support (OLS).

 

Visa

Please consult the visa office in your destination country's embassy or consulate or check the Federal Foreign Office website to find out if you need a visa for your stay. Depending on the destination country, the application process can take several weeks or months.

 

Please also note that your passport must generally be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay - and sometimes beyond. 

Staying safe while abroad


The Federal Foreign Office provides up-to-date travel and safety information for every destination country. Travelling to countries or regions with a current travel warning is strongly discouraged.

 

Students with German citizenship should register with the German Foreign Office's ELEFAND crisis prevention list before each stay abroad. This allows the German diplomatic mission in your destination country to contact you in crisis situations and take you into account when necessary measures are taken. International students should contact the embassy of their home country in case of emergency.

 

Before you leave, remember to research the most important emergency numbers in your destination country and save them on your cell phone. In the EU, you can also dial the European Emergency Number 112, which will connect you to the local police, fire department, and emergency medical services free of charge.

Insurance coverage and health

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your German statutory health insurance provider gives you access to medically necessary services in the EU as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom under the same conditions as insured persons in the respective country. However, some costs, such as additional private treatment or return travel to your home country, will not not reimbursed. It may therefore be advisable to take out travel health insurance in addition. The same applies to stays in countries for which the EHIC does not provide insurance coverage.

 

Participants in the Erasmus+ program are required to ensure that they have adequate insurance coverage. For Erasmus+ interns, this means liability and accident insurance in addition to health insurance. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a combined insurance package for this purpose.

 

The travel and safety information provided by the Federal Foreign Office contains information on recommended vaccinations, first-aid kits, and local medical care for every country. If you need vaccinations or take medication that is not available in your destination country, your family doctor or a tropical and travel medicine specialist can advise you.

 

Accommodation

Make sure to start looking for accommodation as early as possible. If you are spending a semester abroad at a partner university, their international relations office may help you. Many universities also provide accommodation in halls of residence for exchange students.

 

If you would like to sublet your apartment or room to an international exchange student at Folkwang while you are away, please contact the International Office.