Intercultural Center

One factor that will help you feel at home at the HTWG Konstanz is making some friends and acquaintances and getting off to a good start in your studies. This section shows you some ways to meet students both on and off campus, as well as getting some help with your studies:

1. Academic Advising Services

Let’s start with the basics. If you need some advising support to figure out what you want to really want to study, learn about the different programs offered on campus, changing your major, and improving study skills, get in touch with our Student Advising Center (ZSB)

2. Warming-Up Orientation Program

The Intercultural Center (IKZ) offers an orientation event for new students with an international touch (held in English and German / an introduction to intercultural topics). This is a one-day event for all first semester students (both domestic / German and international).

You learn about basic study skills, get advice from upper-semester students about how to get off to a good and relaxing start, and – best of all – get to know other first semester students!

Link to Warming Up page

3. Buddy Program

The Buddy Program, organized by the Intercultural Center (IKZ), is a learning partnership between you, the new international student, and a 2nd or 3rd year HTWG student. You, the new international student, are paired up with another student to help you navigate the campus and your new studies. Many students find this a big help in their first semester.

More information on the Buddy Program

4. Workshops to Help with your Studies

The Intercultural Center (IKZ) also offers a series of workshops – our Working Internationally series – to help students gain better study skills. Take a look at our offerings this semester:

Link to Working Internationally Series

5. Tandem Learning Program

Sign up for our Tandem Learning Program, where you take part in a language exchange with another student – you learn their native language, and they learn yours. It’s a fun way to learn (and teach) another language outside of the classroom.

More information on Tandem Learning

6. Café Mondial

Stop by at the Café Mondial, a real café / meeting place where you can meet other internationals, travelers, and locals in the city on Sunday afternoons (located at: Zum Hussenstein 12, in Konstanz).

Link to Café Mondial website

7. Fun Activities on Campus

How about some other activities that don’t (directly) have to do with your studies. Things like acting in a play, playing in a Big Band, going to concerts together, or even having your own radio show. The HTWG offers these so-called extracurricular activities and more. Check out the offerings here:

Link to HTWG extracurricular activities (in German)

If you need legal advice about your stay in Germany, including residency status, work permits, or information about family reunifications, or you need legal representation, you can contact the Refugee Law Clinic here in Konstanz.

The Refugee Law Clinic is an independent organization. They offer legal support on Saturdays from 3.00 to 6.00 pm at the Café Mondial (located at: Zum Hussenstein 12, in Konstanz)

Refugee Law Clinic website

It can be very stressful moving to a new country. And maybe you are also still struggling with your experiences in your home country or your journey to Germany. But you’re not alone. If you need support, the HTWG Konstanz and the city of Konstanz offer counseling services:

You can find information about counseling services at the HTWG by contacting our Student Advising Center. Send them an email or visit their website for more information.

The Seezeit (student services) offers psychotherapeutic counseling services. You can find more information or set up an appointment at their website: https://www.seezeit.com/en/advice/psychotherapeutic-counselling/. They can also refer you to other psychotherapists in Konstanz.

There are more support services offered in Konstanz or Germany, including the following:

The City of Konstanz has set up a hotline (Tel: 07531 / 900 – 4000) that offers both informational and personal support for individuals and families. You can call Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

If you are experiencing a crisis and need someone to talk to, you can also call the nation-wide Crisis Line / Telefonseelsorge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (toll-free: 0800/111 0 111 or 0800/111 0 222 / www.telefonseelsorge.de). They also offer an email or chat consultation. It is anonymous and confidential.

If you’re experiencing or have experienced racism or discrimination, please contact the HTWG Equality Opportunity and Diversity team to set up a confidential appointment.

Women who have experienced abuse and need support can contact the national helpline Violence Against Women / Gewalt gegen Frauen (Toll-free: 08000/116 016 / www.hilfetelefon.de/en). They support women of all nationalities, with or without disabilities – 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The service is anonymous and free of charge. Relatives, friends and colleagues can also use the helpline.

Parents can get confidential support and advice both on and off campus. On campus, please contact Mrs. Grit Roth at the HTWG Family Services to set up an appointment.

You can also call the Parent Telephone / Elterntelefon (toll-free: 0800 - 111 0 550) Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 – 11:00 and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm. This is a service set up by the national organization “Nummer gegen Kummer e.V.” with a network of around 1,000 counselors at 40 locations across Germany.    

If you have questions regarding caring for parents or older relatives, you can get information at the HTWG Studying and Caretaking office

Another option is the website: www.wege-zur-pflege.de. You can also set up a telephone consultation by calling 030/20 17 91 31 Mondays to Thursdays between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm, or send an email to: info@wege-zur-pflege.de. The service is also anonymous and confidential.