Welcome to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Dear students,

Welcome to Humboldt-Universität.

You have arrived at a vibrant, multi-cultural and challenging university and a city that will demand your attention. Humboldt-Universität will serve as petri dish for learning and experience and its network with other universities in Berlin, the Berlin University Alliance, will open up many doors and provide context. Here at Humboldt we connect research and teaching in a conscious and deliberate manner, and we hope that – in addition to realizing your own plans – you can come into contact with the diversity, interdisciplinarity and multidimensionality of research and teaching in Berlin. We want to offer you study opportunities “à la Humboldt”, in order to facilitate explorative, research-based learning at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. Do take advantage of the diverse opportunities that Humboldt-Universität and Berlin have to offer! A new environment also always creates new perspectives and shifts tried and true relationships; it opens up new possibilities for learning and living.

Because we know that your concerns at the beginning of your time here are not purely academic, this Guide will give you thoroughly practical tips in order to help you tackle problems and deal with challenges in your everyday life. Of course, the International Department is also available to you as a point of contact. After you have overcome the initial problems and challenges, we hope that you will contribute your experience and your background to the University. We anticipate that we can learn from you how one views and understands the world and Humboldt elsewhere. You are making a valuable contribution by adding to the reputation of the faculties and departments of Humboldt-Universität as international forums of scientific and personal exchange.

You want to study, certainly; but make sure that you also take advantage of the opportunities offered to you by university sports, by the various choirs and orchestras for music, as well as all of the other extracurricular activities. Give Humboldtians a chance to get to know you. In the Student Welcome Centre there are many services and programs available to you: our info desk, a visa service, mentoring programmes and a language exchange. The Student Welcome Centre is a contact point, where you will not only come into contact with other students, but where you will also find information on events, intercultural trainings, workshops and tutorials. The International Department should, in addition to your department, also become and remain a fixed point of reference during your period of study. After you have completed your studies at Humboldt, you will have the opportunity to become part of our alumni programme and remain informed about developments at Humboldt-Universität. We would like to remain in touch with you.

On behalf of Humboldt-Universität, I wish you a successful stay.

Dr. Ursula Hans
Academic Mobility and Services, International Department