Publisher. OPSIS-Project. International Office. Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.
Fürstengraben 1. 07743 Jena | Germany. Layout. Florian Jurig. Print printgroup ...
Optimization of Professional Support for International Students
English Version
Publisher OPSIS-Project International Office Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Fürstengraben 1 07743 Jena | Germany Layout Florian Jurig Print printgroup GmbH & Co. KG Weinbauer Str. 12a 81539 München
Let's study better
German postsecondary institutions are becoming international: in the last few years, double-digit increases in the percent of students coming to Germany from abroad has made it one of the most important host country for international students, second only to the USA and on par with the UK. Seven hundred international students are enrolled full-time at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. Given the demand for international top management in science and business as well as the growing prominence of European educational programs, it is only to be expected that the proportion of international students in Germany will continue to grow in the coming years. The FSU Jena has thus developed a special program which is meant to cater to the needs of international students:
The mentoring network OPSIS Optimization of Professional Support for International Students
Challenges Along with a full-time course of study in a foreign country comes a set of potential barriers that most international students will encounter, and which are not always clear to the student before he or she begins to study. Language barriers Above all, written and academic or technical German present a challenge. Additionally, a good knowledge of English is required for many areas of study.
Academic barriers General requirements for the course of study, such as reports, homework assignments or examinations, are often fundamentally different in the German system from similar requirements in the student's previous academic system.
1 2 3 Cultural barriers Some or all of German culture may strike a new student as different or strange - anything from the academic system and its expectations to unfamiliar food and drink.
That's where the OPSIS project comes in.
Solutions 1
2
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A program of careful academic and social mentoring for all international students from the time they apply to study until they take their last exams. Individual advising from a special, expert group of people.
A different level of advising dependent upon the student's phase of study as well as personal needs and requirements.
Our support network
SciCoach The SciCoach Scientific Coaches are advisors in students' major subjects. Most are staff scientists or teaching assistants. The SciCoaches are available to their assigned students as primary contact persons, helping them to recognize their own strengths and potential and adjust their study habits to meet them.
They offer scientific advice regarding study techniques and academic themes and can also recommend other sources of advice within and outside of the University, as necessary.
UniCoach The UniCoach University Coaches are student tutors for international students. They are experienced students in the same academic department and often also have studied or travelled abroad. The job of the UniCoaches is to provide mentorship for international students in the realms of social life and general study habits. Their goal is to support the international students with their arrival and registration in Jena, to facilitate their adjustment to studying at
the FSU, and to help them over the first hurdles of life in Germany. They offer, for example, support during registration and finding/moving into a residence at the beginning of study. Later they help with integration and offer tips for free-time activities.
Additional resources E-learning Module Germany This interactive learning platform for applicants and beginning students offers information about Germany, Thuringia and Jena, an orientation to the FSU, and a description of daily student life.
Socialising Mid-term party; "Schreibwerkstatt" (writing lab); Regulars' table ("Stammtisch"); Presentation of home countries
Course book contents · Structure and program of courses of study (Scheine [course certificates], modules, credits)
· Orders of study and examination · Index of all contact points in the university, the student council and the city · Free-time tips for Jena
www.uni-jena.de/opsis www.uni-jena.de/opsis Check out our website! Here you will find: Information about Germany, Forum, Pin board, Materials to download, ... and much more!
growing popularity OPSIS Project
Participants Winter term 2006/2007
international students
24
30
SciCoaches
13
19
UniCoaches
-
20
Summer term 2007
OPSIS Project
study better in Jena Higher quota of finishing students Better advising through University instructors Intensification of scientific cooperation among academic departments Reduction of time and financial costs to participants Greater satisfaction with instruction and study
Important Links OPSIS www.uni-jena.de/opsis University of Jena www.uni-jena.de International Office www.uni-jena.de/international International Student Groups at FSU www.introseite.de Unique (International Student Paper of the FSU) www.unique-online.de Student Social Services studentenwerk.uni-jena.de The city of Jena www.jena.de
Contact Dr. Olaf Leisse OPSIS-Project International Office Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Fürstengraben 1 07743 Jena | Germany E-mail:
[email protected] phone: 03641/931168 More information at: www.uni-jena.de/opsis
