International students - advice
Das Erklärvideo des Deutschen Studentenwerks erläutert Voraussetzungen und Möglichkeiten der Studienfinanzierung für internationale Studierende, erklärt rechtliche Einschränkungen im Bereich Jobben und gibt Praxistipps zur Planung des Studiums in Deutschland. In einem Extra-Teil zum Thema Corona werden außerdem die wichtigsten Informationsquellen zum Studieren in der Pandemie zusammengefasst.
Click here for the English version of the video: Tips for International Students - How do I finance my studies in Germany?
PBS has established a blog regarding mental stress in times of the corona crisis with some posts beeing available in english.
Support and guidance for international students at PBS
Studying abroad is an exciting adventure as well as a major life transition. For many of you this is the first time away from home. While you may be looking forward to all the opportunities that come with living in a foreign country, you may also feel apprehensive about the many unknowns.
Everything is new
Before you left your country, you may have wished to be more independent from your family. Now perhaps you find yourself left alone too much. You may encounter too many choices, too much freedom, too little direction and guidance. German values, traditions and habits may seem confusing. You may wonder how you will make friends and how to communicate with others; or you may feel uncertain about how to spend your free time especially on weekends.
Family and friends
Your parents, siblings and friends are not here. You might worry about your family at home and fear that you might become a disappointment to them.
When living at home you may have many helpful ways to deal with difficult situations, but these may not be available to you now. As a result you may feel that you are all alone with your problems and that there is no one to talk to. We would like to let you know that you can come to the Counselling Centre anytime to talk with one of the counsellors. No problem is too big or too small.
When a person talks to a counsellor (psychologist) in other countries, it may mean that a person has a ”big” mental problem. It does not mean the same thing in Germany.
Here, it is quite common that a person consults with a counsellor or psychologist. Most people actually believe it is a good thing and that to discuss personal matters with a counsellor demonstrates strength and courage rather than weakness. It is a way to take care of oneself and to prevent physical and mental health problems.
Counselling is confidential and free to students. Counselling languages are German and English.
Get in touch!
Oldenburg
- Telephone office hours
- mon 8.30 - 10.30 am
- thur 3 - 5 pm
- Office: A15-1-103
- e-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wilhelmshaven
- Telephone office hours
- mon 2 pm - 3pm
- thur 3 pm - 4 pm
- Office: L136
- e-mail:
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Emden
- Telephone office hours
- wed 11 am - 12 pm
- thur 11 am - 12 pm
- Office: G102
- e-mail:
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Support and guidance for international students at PBS
Studying abroad is an exciting adventure as well as a major life transition. For many of you this is the first time away from home. While you may be looking forward to all the opportunities that come with living in a foreign country, you may also feel apprehensive about the many unknowns.
Everything is new
Before you left your country, you may have wished to be more independent from your family. Now perhaps you find yourself left alone too much. You may encounter too many choices, too much freedom, too little direction and guidance. German values, traditions and habits may seem confusing. You may wonder how you will make friends and how to communicate with others; or you may feel uncertain about how to spend your free time especially on weekends.
Family and friends
Your parents, siblings and friends are not here. You might worry about your family at home and fear that you might become a disappointment to them.
When living at home you may have many helpful ways to deal with difficult situations, but these may not be available to you now. As a result you may feel that you are all alone with your problems and that there is no one to talk to. We would like to let you know that you can come to the Counselling Centre anytime to talk with one of the counsellors. No problem is too big or too small.
When a person talks to a counsellor (psychologist) in other countries, it may mean that a person has a ”big” mental problem. It does not mean the same thing in Germany.
Here, it is quite common that a person consults with a counsellor or psychologist. Most people actually believe it is a good thing and that to discuss personal matters with a counsellor demonstrates strength and courage rather than weakness. It is a way to take care of oneself and to prevent physical and mental health problems.
Counselling is confidential and free to students. Counselling languages are German and English.
Get in touch:
- Walk-in hours
- mon 8.30 - 10.30 a.m.
- thur 3 - 5 p.m.
- Office: room no. A12 3-310
- phone +49-(0)441-798-4400
- e-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Student advisors help fellow students from abroad
If you have questions or problems concerning life in Germany or your stay in Oldenburg, if you need help filling in official forms or if you just want to get in touch with other students sharing the same situation, you can contact our student advisors. They have been living in our halls of residence in Oldenburg for some time and are well acquainted with different questions or difficulties that might arise during your stay. The student advisors will help you integrate into every-day German life and get in contact with other students.
Join our leisure activities program!
You are very welcome to take part in the student advisors' leisure activity programme anytime you like, to get to know other students and the halls of residence as well as the city of Oldenburg and its surroundings. Never miss an upcoming event and get in touch with the advisors by following them on Facebook. Also, you can write to
Did you know? All students are very welcome to take part in the leisure activities program - whether from Germany or from abroad, and regardless of whether they live in a student dorm!
Counsellors help fellow students from abroad
If you have questions or problems concerning life in Germany or your stay in Oldenburg, if you need help filling in official forms or if you just want to get in touch with other students sharing the same situation, you can contact our student counsellors. They have been living in our halls of residence in Oldenburg for some time and are well acquainted with different questions or difficulties that might arise during your stay. The student counsellors will help you integrate into every-day German life and get in contact with other students. They also organise a monthly programme for all German and international students to get to know each other and have fun in their free time.