University of Siegen

• Fact Sheet

• Info about Accomodations

Now that you have been approved to study abroad on this program, the Illinois study abroad office will nominate you with Siegen and send them a copy of your transcripts. At that time, Siegen will contact you to give you instructions on how to proceed with Siegen's application process.

Note: If you are a Music student, our main contact over in Siegen (Susanne Engelmann) will put you in touch with Music professor Martin Herchenröder to make academic arrangements.

For international exchange students from partner institutions who do not participate in a funded exchange program, we offer STIBET contact scholarships for the first semester of exchange. Usually the scholarship is offered to one student per partner institution for a duration of four months. The grant amounts to approx. EUR 260 per month. All exchange applications of admitted students are considered and reviewed with regard to academic achievement, language proficiency, professional and international experience as well as social commitment.

Program Dates

• • Spring 2021 "Summer term": tba

  • Fall 2021 "Winter term": tba

There is not an airport pick-up services for this program. Therefore, you will need to arrange your own transpiration to the university.

Orientation

• The Orientation Days in winter semester take place in early September (for participants of the Intensive German Course) and late September (for late arrivals).

• Due to the early start of lecture period in summer semester 2020, the Orientation Days will take place in mid-March.

• The exact dates are given in the letter of admission. The schedule is sent to all accepted students and is further published on our website. We strongly advise all exchange students to plan their arrival before registration day.

Staff at the International Office assist incoming exchange students to secure housing during their period of study.

Housing options

Housing options include residence halls available through Studentenwerk Siegen, private residence halls through Studentenwohnanlage am Oberen Schloss/Studentenwohnheim Siegen-Bürbach, or through the housing exchange AStA der Universität Siegen.

Students coming for most subjects will need to have SOME basic knowledge of German to get by. If taking course-subjects in German (as most of their subjects are still offered mostly in German), students will need to learn the terminology of that subject area. This program is an excellent option for German language students who want a full-immersion experience.

Students should come early and take the month-long intensive German courses (offered at all levels) completely free before classes start. Then, they can register for next level of German for the regular semester.

University of Siegen Highlights

• University is well-known for Chemistry, Megatronics, and Media

• Megatronics is very popular major (80% international students)

• Natural Sciences and Technology courses offered a lot in English

• No English courses in Psychology department and seats are limited

• Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Literature would all be great for exchange students

• Culture and Media major is very prestigious/popular, and offers a lot of courses in English

Grade and Credit conversion: 6 ECTS = 3 Illinois credits

Transcripts will be sent to Illinois automatically after the end of the program. However, the time for receipt and processing can take a few months. Be patient, and you can track to see when your transcript is received by the Office of the Registrar by when the digital copy is uploaded into your My Study Abroad documents.

Students will pay 270 EURO semester fee for all of the services such as gym, including transport ticket which covers the entire state of North Rhine Westphalia.

Cultural Opportunities

• • University has about 12% international students- mostly from China, Cameroon, India, Pakistan, then various European countries. The Exchange office personnel have extensive experience in US and speak English.

  • Language Tandem program

  • Study Buddies program

  • Student org offers excursions to nearby cities in early weeks

  • You can get a mentorship relationship with upperclassman

  • Very active Model UN, Campus TV/Radio, student cinema series

  • Fab lab

  • If in Music department, they are assigned a special student helper/ buddy

  • Sports classes (5 euros) and swimming pool

  • Great for hiking enthusiasts

• I had my viola lessons in English simply because the instructor grew up in the US. I took one non-music course in English. The undergraduate music classes are all in German. The class sizes in Music are very small so it was easy to ask for help, but a student should be able to speak pretty well.