Welcome Center for international (Guest) Scientists and Doctoral Candidates
The Welcome Center supports and advises international guest scientists and doctoral candidates. Here they can obtain information on topics such as work permits, immigration law and language courses. The services offered by the Welcome Center also include help with filling out forms and support in finding accommodation.
News
Information for Ukrainian refugees
The University of Rostock is dismayed and deeply concerned about the people in Ukraine. It condemns Russia's war of aggression in the middle of Europe, which is contrary to international law and inhumane, and is making every effort in close cooperation with the student body, the Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs in Schwerin, the other universities in the region, the Nordverbund, the DAAD and the German Rectors' Conference to provide all possible help and support for the people in Ukraine. In the common responsibility for peaceful coexistence with all our foreign guests, there is close cooperation with the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock for this purpose. Via uni.hilftuni-rostockde we take care of all questions and concerns in German, English, Ukrainian or Russian. We do everything we can to accommodate refugee scientists and students without red tape, also with the initiative "Science for Ukraine".
Professor Wolfgang Schareck
Rector
For current information on support services offered by the university and useful further links, please visit:
Coronavirus: Information for international PhD students and scientists
Due to the current situation regarding the virus SARS-CoV-2 and the coronavirus disease COVID-19, we ask you to get in touch with us by e-mail only until further notice. The university buildings are still closed for visitors and the employees still work partially from home.
In case you are unsure whether you should proceed with your travel plans as intended, please get in touch with your host or supervisor on a departmental level. We will try our best to perform our consulting services as smoothly as possible. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Current information on the Corona situation at the University of Rostock can be found via the following links:
Coronavirus - information possibilities
2022-03-23
"In order to slow down the spread of COVID-19, German authorities have introduced enter restrictions and border controls. Travelers to Germany can find up-to-date information on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Within Germany, restrictions on everyday life have been imposed. The joint crisis task force of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Health has prepared comprehensive FAQ sections on how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic while being in Germany.
Detailed information on the latest developments and actions taken on the European level is provided by the European Commission." (source: EURAXESS Germany)
The city administration (Rathaus), the University of Rostock and the Rostock International House inform regularly on updates of the situation on local level and regarding the university.
Coronavirus and entry restrictions: 4 things travelers to Germany need to know, provided by the German Federal Foreign Office
Answers to frequently asked questions prepared by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Daily updates on the coronavirus and answers to frequently asked questions on how to deal with COVID-19 prepared by the Federal Ministry of Health
Common European response to the outbreak of COVID-19. The European Commission
The state government publishes information on the current development of the Corona situation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on various pages:
up-to-date information of the city administration: Rathaus Rostock
regular updates on restrictions in university operations: www.uni-rostock.de
latest information for international students and scientists provided by the Rostock Interational House
2nd EU-CONEXUS PhD Summer School
July 2022
From July 18 to 22, the European University EU-CONEXUS offers an interdisciplinary PhD Summer School on the topic "Open Science, open for the World”. It is aimed at interested PhD students from all participating partner universities of the network and will take place at the University of Valencia (Spain). The summer school is free of charge. Costs for travel and accommodation will be covered for all participants. 35 PhD students from different research fields from 9 EU-CONEXUS universities will be invited to participate in the Summer School. In addition to seminars and workshops, participants can take part in an interesting social programme consisting of excursions and cultural activities. The application deadline is April 22 2022.
More information on the programme and application requirements can be found at:
Worship services in English
2022-06-19
The evangelical congregation Innenstadtgemeinde started a new monthly series of Worship services in English in the rooms of St Peter's Church in September 2021:
International Prayer
"We cordially invite you to our 'International Prayer', a series of ecumenical services in St Peter‘s Church, Rostock. Texts, songs and prayers will be in English language. After the service we will have a get-together with coffee, tea and snacks. If you are interested in singing, join us at 4:30 pm for a short rehearsal of the songs for the service."
- Place: Church of St Peter, Rostock
- Date: 08.05. | 19.06. | 10.07. | 21.08.2022
4.30 p.m. - singing warm up
5.00 p.m. - ecumenical service in English
afterwards - get-together with coffee and tea
International Career Day
2022-06-09
The International Career Day intends to bring awareness of available career opportunities for international Students, PhDs and Postdocs in Germany at the university, in non-university research institutions and especially in interesting companies in the Rostock area. Additionally, the day provides an understanding of what is required to enter the German job market successfully.
- Date: June 09, 2022 | 5 pm – 9 pm
- Place: Konrad-Zuse-Haus, A.-Einstein-Str. 22, Atrium, 18059 Rostock
- Language: English
- Participation fee: none
The event aims to support Bachelor students, Master students, PhD Candidates and Postdocs who are seeking for a job or an internship in a company or would like to write a master/Ph.D. thesis or begin a job in research. The participants of the event should learn from recruiters what employers are looking for in international candidates and what are the requirements regarding language, most wanted subjects or other qualifications.
Intercultural Training
2022-05-13
Living and working in Germany - Intercultural training for international PhD students and researchers
- Date: Friday, 13 May 2022, 09:00 am – 04:30 pm
- Where: Parkstraße 6, Global Café (Room 136), 18057 Rostock (In case current regulations won't allow a training in presence, we will relocate the training to zoom.)
- Intercultural trainer: Katja Striegler (IQ Netzwerk Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
- Language: English
- Participants: 6 to 16 PhD students, postdocs and guest researchers
- Participation fee: free of charge
- Sign up: until 11 May 2022 via welcome-centeruni-rostockde (subject: "Intercultural Training")
To successfully tackle the challenges of multicultural academic and professional life, PhD students and researchers have to be able to manage intercultural situations and possible conflicts effectively.
Designed as an interactive workshop, the Intercultural Training will provide international PhD students and researchers at the University of Rostock with essential cross-cultural skills. Using hands-on exercises and simulations, participants will gain an understanding of values and attitudes in German academic life; identify and analyse their personal approaches to different intercultural challenges and increase their intercultural awareness and competence. The participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own culture, discuss personal experiences, ask questions and exchange their views with the other participants.
What you can expect from this Intercultural Training
The participants will…
- Sharpen their own cultural perception and develop a broader understanding of different perspectives
- Improve their understanding of the impact of cultural values and attitudes on communication styles
- Gain a better understanding of different communication styles
- Reflect on their experiences with cultural differences in academic life
- Learn to recognise and deal with difficult intercultural communication situations
- Meet other international PhD students and researchers, who share their intercultural experiences
Training Content:
- Culture and cultural differences with a focus on academic life
- Developing intercultural awareness and intercultural competence
- Adapting to a new culture
- Stereotypes and prejudice
- Values and attitudes in German academic life
- Communication styles and language issues
- Cross-cultural management skills
- Good practice for cross-cultural situations at university
Regular's Table
2022-05-10
Dear all,
A long time with many restrictions is coming to an end. People can meet again in larger groups and restaurants and cultural institutions are open again as usual.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to a regulars' table in presence again after a long time.
Don’t hesitate to get in contact with us if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you!
- Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022, starting 7 p.m.
- Place: Restaurant Käthe (Barnstorfer Weg 10, KTV)
- Language: English, German, as you like
- Participation fee: none
- Target group: international guest scientists, doctoral candidates, postdocs, family and friends
- Registration: To reserve enough seats, please let us know if you will be coming.
Intercultural Training
2022-01-28
Living and working in Germany - Intercultural training for international PhD students and researchers
- Date: Friday, 28 January 2022, 09:00 am – 04:30 pm
- Where: Parkstraße 6, Global Café (Room 220), 18057 Rostock (In case current regulations won't allow a training in presence, we will relocate the training to zoom.)
- Intercultural trainer: Katja Striegler, Christin Zimmer (IQ Netzwerk Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
- Language: English
- Participants: 6 to 16 PhD students, postdocs and guest researchers
- Participation fee: free of charge
- Sign up: until 21 January 2022 via welcome-centeruni-rostockde (subject: "Intercultural Training")
To successfully tackle the challenges of multicultural academic and professional life, PhD students and researchers have to be able to manage intercultural situations and emerging conflicts effectively. Developing the capacity to mediate differing cultural perspectives is a key determinant of intercultural competence.
Designed as an interactive workshop, the training will provide international PhD students and researchers of the University of Rostock with essential cross-cultural skills for building relationships and working effectively in a multicultural environment. Using hands-on exercises and simulation role-plays, participants will gain an understanding of values and attitudes in German academic life, identify and analyse their personal approaches to different intercultural challenges and increase their intercultural awareness and competence. The participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own culture, discuss personal experiences, ask questions and exchange their views with the other participants.
Content:
- Culture and cultural differences with a focus on academic life
- Developing intercultural awareness and intercultural competence
- Adapting to a new culture
- Stereotypes and prejudice
- Values and attitudes in German academic life
- Communication styles and language issues
- Cross-cultural management skills
- Good practice for cross-cultural situations at university
A walk with the night watchman
2021-09-22
Dear international PhD students, Postdocs and Visiting Scientists,
We would like to invite you to a somewhat different city tour with the night watchman who leads you with uniform through the Eastern old town, the oldest part of the city.
To participate please send us a short email until September 14, 2021 with a firm commitment as places are limited.
We look forward to seeing you!
- Date: September 22, 2021
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Duration: max. 1.5 hours
- Language: English
- Family friendly: yes
- Meeting point: in front of St Peter's Church (Petrikirche)
- Fee: free of charge; the Welcome Center invites you
- Sign up: welcome-centeruni-rostockde until September 14, 2021
Corona grant for international students and doctoral candidates
2021-06-28
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MBWK) provides funds for (doctoral) students who are in financial need due to the Corona pandemic. Students can apply for a limited emergency grant at the Rostock International House. The grant does not cover the entire living expenses and can be granted for three months.
Online Games Night
2021-12-13
Dear all,
another year with many restriction comes to an end. Before the year ends, we would like to invite you and your family members to an Online Games Night.
We want to play some fun games with you and you can also win some prizes. However, we would also like to chat with you and your family members and have a fun night.
- Date: Monday, 13 December 2021; 07:00 pm
- Language: English
- Participation fee: none
- Sign in at 07:00 pm: Gather ; password: Christmas2021
Intercultural Training
2021-05-21
We are pleased to invite you to attend our next Intercultural Training for international PhDs, Postdocs and Researchers.
- Date: Friday, May 21, 2021 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Place: Online (via Zoom)
- Language: English
- Participation fee: none
- Registration: Sign up until May 10 via welcome-centeruni-rostockde (subject: Intercultural Training)
Interim financial aid funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for (doctoral) students
24.11.2020
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is helping students who are demonstrably in acute need due to the corona pandemic with financial grants from November 2020 to March 2021.
Since November 20, applications for the bridging grant can only be submitted online. Further information can be found on the website of the Studierendenwerkes Rostock-Wismar: https://www.stw-rw.de/en/study-financing/alternative-financing-of-studies/interim-financial-aid-for-students-in-pandemic-related-emergency-situations.html
Contact
Acting Head of the Welcome Center
Dr. Uta Buttkewitz
welcome-center(at)uni-rostock.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 381 498 1191
Office Hours
Tuesday 15:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 14:00 - 17:00
Parkstraße 6, Room 219
18057 Rostock
Postal address
Universität Rostock
Rostock International House
Welcome Center
18051 Rostock
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