Currywurst and Kindelsberg

Foto: INS2, Uni Siegen

Two student groups from the University of Siegen help incoming international students to make their stay abroad in Siegen an unforgettable experience.

The summer semester at the University of Siegen is about to start. For many incoming international students this is the start of a new phase of life. Two student groups are dedicated to helping foreign students to feel at home: the newly founded "Erasmus Student Network Siegen" and the initiative "International Students in Siegen e.V", which has been in existence for almost 20 years. Both work closely with the department "International Student Affairs" at the University of Siegen.

"Erasmus Student Network Siegen" (ESN Siegen)

Many students come from partner universities and stay for one or two semesters. Their starting point is the "Erasmus Student Network Siegen" (ESN Siegen). The aim of the association is to make the Erasmus students' stay in Siegen an unforgettable experience with as many events as possible. Whether it is a currywurst (sausage in curry sauce) dinner, a joint cinema evening, a trip to the city of Cologne or a visit to a brewery - in the Welcome Weeks, from 3 to 15 April 2017, students get a first insight into culture and region. In the course of the semester, the program continues with a hike to the Kindelsberg and an event in the Lasertag-Hall, among other things.

"ESN Siegen" is part of one of the largest Europe-wide Erasmus networks since February this year. Siegen thus belongs to one of a total of 529 locations spread over 40 countries. Through the network it is possible for students to help one another and to collect shared experiences. The numerous locations have the advantage that many large trips and excursions can be offered at student-friendly prices. For example, a trip to Hamburg is planned in cooperation with other domestic sites.

International Students in Siegen (INS2)

While the "Erasmus Student Network Siegen" primarily addresses exchange students, the "International Students in Siegen" focus on international students who have specialized in a subject; those who do their complete study program or graduate studies in Siegen. "In addition to the support, we would like to bring together German and international students, thereby fostering mutual understanding, intercultural competences, respect and exchange between them," explains Benjamin Walz, President of the University Initiative.

For this reason, the group regularly organizes events and excursions: visits to the Cologne Zoo and the Dortmund soccer-stadium are scheduled for May. Starting next semester, there will be an additional monthly national evening, which will be entirely devoted to a country or a region. With joint meals, presentations and a quiz, the students can immerse themselves in the respective culture. On the one hand, students can present their home country, on the other hand, German students can learn about possible opportunities to go abroad.

"In addition to purely recreational events, we also consider it our duty to address serious topics," says Benjamin Walz. Thanks to the support of the Integration Council of the City of Siegen, the university group was able to hold an intercultural dialogue on migration and integration in November, where both, refugees as well as supporters got to speak.

All interested parties are welcome in both groups. If you would like to get involved or participate in events, you can obtain information, or contact us directly.

“Erasmus Student Network Siegen”:
Mail: siegen@esn-germany.de
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESNsiegen

“International Students in Siegen”:
Mail: ins@uni-siegen.de
Homepage: http://www.ins-siegen.de/
Facebook (for logged in users): https://www.facebook.com/inssiegen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inssiegen/