Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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General questions about going abroad

  • Take advantage of your freedom. Coordinating a stay abroad with your private life is probably easier now, while you a student, than it will ever be again. The flexibility you have during your studies offers a creative freedom that will no longer be available once you start your professional life. Going abroad doesn't have to be for a whole semester, either. Even the semester break (an even more flexible period!) offers many opportunities to go abroad, in the form of language courses or summer schools (https://www.daad.de/de/im-ausland-studieren-forschen-lehren/sprachen-lernen-sommerkurse-im-ausland/).
  • Communication and make contacts. Doing a semester abroad with others from all over the world is a unique and intensive experience that can bring new and enriching contacts. Practicing different languages, taking part in university groups at your host university, and trying out new hobbies makes you a part of an international, friendly network. In the process, you overcome your own limitations and broaden your horizons.
  • Further your knowledge. During your time abroad, you become familiar with new forms of teaching, deepen and expand your personal interest in some courses, and work in a practice-oriented way. All of this awaits when you go abroad!  The academic course offerings at our partner universities around the world far surpass those in Flensburg!
  • Increase your career opportunities. Regardless of the career field, gaining international experience enriches your CV and credibly demonstrates that you can work with all different types of people, and that you enjoy doing so.

The sky's the limit! In addition to the classic semester abroad, (voluntary) internships, language courses and summer schools are also possible. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) website "Studieren weltweit" ("Studying worldwide") offers a wide range of inspiration for different types of stays abroad.

Research appropriate partner universities or desired countries, and make a structured plan for your studies at EUF. You may also be able to take a free language course at the EUF Language Center.

A semester abroad - how does that work?

Research suitable partner universities or countries that interest you, and plan your studies at EUF in a structured manner. You might also be able to take a free language course through the Language Center.

This varies depending on the university. Often you can find a "courses" section under "International Students:" otherwise, it helps to browse the homepages of your chosen faculty. You can use the program for the current academic year (or the previous fall semester) as the basis for selecting your courses.

You can get EUF credits for courses taken abroad through a process called recognition (Anerkennung). During the application, the foreign courses are assigned to EUF courses based on their content. Not every German course has to be matched 1:1 with a foreign one. Having common qualification goals for both courses is usually sufficient for recognition.

More information about foreign course recognition 

We recommend thatyour foreign courses amount to at least 20 ECTS (or equivalent). Not all courses need to be recognized at EUF. However, please also consider the regulations for your specific degree program and host university.

For Erasmus+ students: If courses are not passed, you do not have to repay the Erasmus+ grant.

No. The recognition or crediting of your foreign coursework will be clarified before you go abroad.

Further information

Semester and active lecture periods in universities abroad are not the same everywhere; they differ by country and host university. Your selected universities can inform you about the semester/lecture periods there. The semester at some universities starts in January or August, which overlaps with EUF semester times. Please keep this in mind already in the semester before you go abroad, as you coordinate your exams.

For internships abroad, the start/end dates for each internship are determined individually.

First of all, don't panic. In such a case, it's a good idea to contact the International Center of the partner university on your own and ask for information - if possible directly in their "Incomings" section. If you haven't heard anything by 3 weeks before the application deadline, contact the EUF "outgoings" office.

You are allowed to have a part-time job during your semester abroad. However, please sure that it doesn't interfere with your studies abroad if, for example, you receive funding through Erasmus+. For non-Erasmus grants, there may be restrictions on the number of hours you can work.

The semester fee cannot be refunded. You can apply to AStA for a semester ticket reimbursement. 

Application form and language skills

No, but you will be asked a few questions about your motivation directly in the online application form.

You can find information about language certificates under Step 2: Apply.

How much does it cost to go abroad?

Depending on where you decide to go, the cost of living can be either higher or lower than living in Germany. Weekend activities and travel may also bring additional costs. On the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) website you can also find out about the average cost of living; check under the heading "Country Information."

DAAD country-specific information

No. You will automatically receive Erasmus funding if you are offered a place at a European partner university.

You will automatically receive Erasmus+ funding if you are offered a place at a European partner university and at selected Erasmus+ partner countries (Albania, Israel, partly in the UK). In Switzerland, you will automatically receive a SEMP scholarship.

A separate application for Erasmus+ funding is only required for stays at non-European Erasmus+ partner universities. The current list of Erasmus+ partner universities in non-European countries can be found on the Erasmus+ website.

Foreign student aid (BAföG) (study + internship) has different standards than German domestic BAföG. This means that students who are not eligible for financial aid in German can also receive it abroad for their studies at a German university. For this reason, we always recommend applying for foreign financial aid. Start the application process well in advance - approximately 6 months before you plan to go abroad.

On our website you will find an overview of the most important funding opportunities.

Learn more about funding options

Off the beaten path: other ways to go abroad

Between November and January, the application portal is open to those who want to do a semester abroad the following academic year. During this period, you can apply for a semester abroad in the fall and/or spring semester.

Between the end of March and mid-May you can apply for places still available in the spring semester.

In principle, the Erasmus scholarship is there to support study abroad and not travel. However, you may attend voluntary courses abroad that do not count towards your EUF studies.

Yes, you can apply for a study stay abroad during the usual application periods. You just need to clarify the recognition with the responsible person. Master's students can also do (voluntary or compulsory) internships abroad - and there are also internship funding opportunities for recent graduates.