TUD and Helpline Saxony: New support for international students

TUD and Helpline Saxony: New support for international students

With a new cooperation agreement between the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and the Helpline Saxony, an important step is being taken to support international members of the university in crisis situations. This initiative aims to accommodate a remarkable growth of international students in Saxony, where around 17,000 foreign students are currently enrolled at universities. The Helpline Saxony is a volunteer-run telephone hotline that offers support in difficult life situations.

The Saxony Helpline provides low-threshold access to telephone help, both in acute emergencies and with everyday challenges. For example, it helps with contacting authorities, medical facilities and advice centers. A central feature is the focus on overcoming language barriers: the volunteers speak German and at least one additional language, including Arabic, English and Russian. This allows for effective communication in times of need, especially for international students.

Expanding the support network

This cooperation significantly expands TUD's support network for international students. The helpline can be used particularly for language communication if direct contact with the police or emergency services is not possible. The contact information is as follows: Helpline Saxony: +49 351 850 75 222, although an email address was not provided. Information material can be requested from Anja Wiede, the contact person for the complaints office for harassment, discrimination and violence.

Saxony offers international students a wide range of study opportunities, although certain requirements must be met. This includes sufficient knowledge of German and proof of an equivalent school or university qualification. The language tests must be certified according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). Applicants from EU and EEA countries must submit their applications for admission directly to the university, whereby various requirements and deadlines must be observed.

• Nachweise über deutsche Sprachkenntnisse sind erforderlich, falls der Studiengang auf Deutsch angeboten wird.
• Die Zulassungsbescheide enthalten Fristen für die Annahme des Studienplatzes und die Einschreibung.
• Zusätzliche Unterlagen können von der jeweiligen Hochschule gefordert werden.

Career entry and support

Even after completing their studies, international graduates face challenges. A new DAAD program, which was launched in April 2024, promotes international talent and their integration into studies and the job market. Under the title FIT - Promoting International Talents, 89 projects are supported that span the entire life cycle of a student, from study preparation to starting a career.

Examples of such initiatives illustrate how important support is for international students. The Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Technology, for example, plans to expand its programs to support international students to other countries. The program at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts also offers support in the first phase of studies with workshops for intercultural skills.

The challenges for international students in Germany are complex, but the new programs and the cooperation between universities and support services pave the way for these talented students to successfully integrate into the academic and professional landscape. The various measures make it clear that both institutional and societal efforts are needed to ensure sustainable support for the ever-growing number of international students.