Arrival and First Steps

New incoming students will be picked up at Ulm train station by our S.T.E.P.S. tutors, who have their room keys and an information package for them. The tutors will escort the new students to their residences, show them around town and campus, and they will help them with the various administrative procedures during the first days in Ulm (public registration, residence permit, opening of bank account, immatriculation at university, etc.).

This service is available for ALL new incoming ERASMUS/EXCHANGE students throughout the year (not just for those arriving in March or September for the orientation weeks). Students are strongly advised to take advantage of this service, even those who speak good German!

Please send us your arrival notification form at least 10 days before coming to Ulm, so we have enough time to find a tutor for you and put you two into contact!

Orientation Weeks

The International Office organizes an orientation program for all new incoming ERASMUS / EXCHANGE students prior to the beginning of each semester in March/April and September October. Dates & Deadlines

The main focus is on a three-week Intensive German Language Course, which is complemented by a number of Culture Modules.

The program is rounded off by a variety of extra-curricular activities.

Intensive German Language Course

Intensive German language courses are offered twice a year during the orientation weeks. The course always starts with a placement test. Students wishing to participate in this course must arrive in time to take this test. 

Three groups/levels are offered regularly:

• I: Absolute Beginners
• II: Elementary German
• III: Intermediate German

A separate course in "Advanced German" can only be offered, if enough students sign up for the intensive German language course.

_{Participation in this course is free of charge, however, students have to buy their own text books (approx. € 60). Courses I and II usually use "Delphin". Students who have previously studied German with this book should bring it to Ulm. Which textbook will be used in Intermediate or Advanced German has to be decided on the basis of students' performance in the placement test.}

After successful completion of the course, students will receive 3 ECTS credits and a certificate for "Intensive German Language".

Culture Modules

If students sign up for all culture modules, they will receive 1 extra ECTS credit (to be combined with the language course credits in one certificate "Intensive German Language & Culture"):

• Intercultural Training Sessions
• City Tour
• Library Tour
• German Movie Nights

It is also possible to sign up only for select modules (no credit given).

Excursion

Towards the end of each orientation period, the International Office organizes a weekend-trip (2-4 days) to a major German city or region or special event. 

Students must sign up for this excursion at the International Office in person and pay the required fee (usually around € 70).

ERASMUS Ulm & friends (EUF)

The EUF is a volunteer student group which organizes extra-curricular activities, not only for ERASMUS students. All EXCHANGE students, in fact all international students of Ulm University are welcome.

At the beginning of the orientation weeks, they offer a "City Ralley" and a Welcome Party. In the following weeks, there are usually some day trips or weekend excursions. Every Tuesday evening, there is a so-called "Stammtisch" (regular's table), which is held in a different bar every week.