Study abroad in Bachelor
"First of all, if you are still unsure whether you should do a semester abroad, no matter where - do it! You'll gain an incredible amount of experience in the time it takes to deal with teaching methods that are completely different from what you're used to, or to communicate with your hands and feet because no one understands you."
(Judith Schepers after her stay in Aarhus, Denmark)
Motivation of studying abroad
Studying abroad offers many opportunities:
- Learning another language
- Getting to know another culture
- Getting to know other places
- Getting to know other people
- Gathering many new impressions
- Improving career opportunities
and all this within the course of study, ideally without extending the duration of study!
Go out - (d)ein Semester im Ausland
Information about studying abroad in the Biogeosciences program
For the Bachelor of Biogeosciences, the 5th semester is suitable for studying abroad. For the Master's degree, the second semester is suitable; alternatively, project module or Master's thesis can be completed abroad under certain conditions.
Attention: Start planning your semester abroad 15 months before the planned stay if you want to apply for funding.
With regard to the modules taken abroad, students must consult with the subject advisors (Prof. Dr. K.U. Totsche and/or Dr. D. Merten) in advance. Otherwise, no recognition of the work done abroad can be granted. For the possible recognition, detailed information about the university visited, the contents and workloads of the modules are required. The content of the modules taken abroad must match the content of the Bachelor's degree program in Biogeosciences, but must not correspond to the courses offered in the Bachelor's degree program as part of the elective courses in the 5th semester. It is essential that you have the agreed modules to be taken confirmed by your departmental advisor by signature before your stay abroad. If possible, use the Learning Agreement (see below).
The organizational and financial planning of the stay abroad is the responsibility of the student, but the International Office of the Friedrich Schiller University offers comprehensive advice. Please plan about 15 months in advance, as the application deadlines for possible funding are about 1 year before the possible stay abroad.
Please note that in many cases it is necessary that a cooperation agreement exists between the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the host university. Exchange places within Europe can be found hereExternal link. A list of existing agreements outside Europe can be found hereExternal link.
Attention: Please inform yourself first very comprehensively about the offered modules via the internet before contacting the subject coordinators!
In many cases the receiving university requires a Learning Agreement. This can be downloaded via Erasmus information of the Friedrich Schiller UniversityExternal link. Please use this form to have the modules chosen abroad countersigned by the subject advisor.
Please also take into account that in many countries it is more difficult for you to successfully complete modules due to a foreign language of instruction and therefore possibly plan more courses than only for the 30 LP to be proven.